HELL HATH NO FURY
Summary It's Angel and Cordelia's turn to tangle with Lilith
Author- whtigeress0
Disclaimer- Don't own a thing
Spoilers-Up to and including Wrecked BtVS, follows none of the current AtS storylines. A/C B/S
Feedback-Please. Be kind
A/N- This story is the sequel to Heaven Has no Rage. The titles of both are from a quote- Heaven has no rage as love turned to hate, and hell hath no fury as a woman scorned. The final text will be title A woman scorned, which with the other two titles gives a very vague summary of what it will be about. My best friend was writing the first one as I was writing this one, and the third will be a collaboration between the two of us. Hope you enjoy.
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LOS ANGELES
"Alright, see you later." Angel said and hung up the phone. He couldn't believe he had to call her. He knew what it would bring, but he had no choice, they had to finish the game.
Cordelia walked in and stared at him. God, he's beautiful, she thought, even if he was scowling at the phone. She didn't blame him for not wanting to make that call. She hadn't wanted him to either. Things were different for them. He was different, not all broody all the time. It had taken some getting used to, but she had found out that Angel actually had a sense of humor.
"Did you call her?" Cordy asked.
"Yeah." he replied, sighing. "I had to. There was just no other way." Hid eyes begged her to understand.
Silence. He hated her silence. Cordelia had the uncanny ability of saying a lot without ever opening her mouth.
"Don't look at me like that." He said. "It's just business."
"I know. It's always 'just business' with you." She snapped, looking at him pointedly.
Angel ran a hand through his dark hair. "Can we not do this now? We have a lot to do before Buffy gets here."
"Sure." Cordy said as she glared at him. "The world is coming to an end, yada, yada. The great and wonderful Slayer is coming. Shame on me for wanting to discuss my lovelife, or lack their of." With that, Cordy turned and stormed out.
"Cordelia." Angel sighed as he followed her. She turned around and he saw the anger glittering in her beautiful brown eyes.
As he reached her, Angel lifted her chin to look into her eyes. He brushed a piece of her hair out of her face.
"I promise you. When this is all over, we will do something about our, uh, situation." He said, smiling down at her.
"So now we're a 'situation'. Great." She said as she jerked away from him and walked out. "I bet Buffy was never a 'situation'." He heard her mutter as she entered the hall.
Angel placed his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. He had survived the plagues of Europe, and slayer after slayer, but one of these days, Cordelia Chase's temper tantrums would kill him.
***
SUNNYDALE
Buffy Summers hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Well, she knew that this was going to happen eventually. As Buffy sat, lost in her own thoughts, rubbing a hand over her recently acquired scars, she heard a noise and looked up.
Her sister stood in her doorway, arms crossed over her chest.
"Is it bad?" Dawn asked, as she laid her head on the door frame.
"Yeah. I'm gonna call Tara and see if you can stay with her for awhile. I have to go to L. A.." With that, Buffy got up and went to her closet to pack.
"You know Spike is going to wig." Dawn said.
"I know, but it can't be helped." Buffy sighed as she shoved another stake into her duffel bag. Spike had been overprotective since their encounter with Lilith.
"Yeah, I know. But. . ." Dawn started.
"Hello, ducks!" Spike yelled, as he slammed the front door.
Buffy and Dawn froze as they heard the familiar gallop up the steps.
"Little bit, where's Buffy?" Spike asked as he rounded the corner. Quickly, Buffy dropped the duffel bag and shoved to the side, just as Spike entered the room.
"I think I'm going to bed. G'night." Dawn said, making a hasty retreat.
"Night, little bit." Spike said, never taking his eyes off his slayer.
There she sat in all her beautiful blonde glory. Her left eye was still a little swollen from her battle with bitch on his behalf. Her beautiful legs were tucked up underneath her on the bed. The bane of his existence for so long, now he wondered how he had gotten through his undead life without her.
Buffy watched him as he stalked towards. Like a cat, very graceful, but all male. She stood to meet his embrace with open arms.
As Spike held her tight, he sensed something was a little off. The little bit never ran off that fast. She was your typical obnoxious little sister. Always around, never gettin' the hint you just wanted to be left alone. Spike started to turn his head to kiss her, when he saw the half packed bag on the floor.
"Going on a trip, luv?" Spike asked in an accusing tone.
She had known the instant he'd seen the bag. His entire body had tensed. Time to downplay.
"Don't worry. It's just Slayer stuff." She said and went to pick up the bag.
"Really? What kind of nasties are we facing, and why would you need a change of knickers to do it?" He said, sarcastically, with a hint of anger underneath.
She hated it when her used that high and mighty tone.
"WE aren't. I am. Angel called." She stated matter of factly, tensing for the outburst to come.
Silence. God, she hated his silence. Especially since normally, he couldn't shut up. She had gotten up to fish through her closet when she felt his eyes bore into her back.
"Don't look at me like that. You know I have to go."
"Do I?" Spike snapped.
"Spike. Don't start with me." She said evenly. "You know he wouldn't call if he could handle it himself."
"Oh, bloody hell." Spike roared as he started to pace. "Yes, something the great Angeles, scourge of Europe can't handle. We should all quake with fear."
"Shsh. Dawn is trying to sleep, and you're being ridiculous." Buffy whispered, walking over to the door to shut it.
"I'M being ridiculous? Ha!" Spike exclaimed.
"Yes, and if you must know little green eyed man. NOT attractive. At all." She said.
"I'll have you know he happens to be a friend of mine, and he's gotten a bad wrap s'all. Besides, I'm not jealous." Spike whined.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Spike. This doesn't change the fact that I'm still going." She challenged.
"Fine." he said as he walked towards the door. "I'll be back in twenty minutes. Be ready." Spike snarled as he strolled out.
"Yeah, some vacation from the Hellmouth this will be. Someone just kill me now. They say third times the charm." Buffy sighed as she flopped on her bed.
***
Angel stalked down the steps cursing hard headed women. He knew where she had gone. Same place she always went when she wanted to pout. There she sat, as he entered the room, glaring at paperwork she had no intention of doing. Angel paused for a moment, staring at her. God, she was beautiful with deep brown eyes and straight auburn hair that never stayed where she wanted it to. If it could, it would take his breath away every time he looked at her.
She sat up straighter in her chair when he walked in. Even though he was a vampire, he was still a typical man. Never knew when to just leave it alone. She felt his eyes on her, as she often did. Usually, she didn't mind. Okay, who was she foolin', the majority of the time she loved it. Right now, though, she wanted to sulk in peace.
"Cordelia?" Angel started, shoving his hands deep in his pocket..
"So, where's she going to sleep? Or do I have to ask?" she snapped as she turned to glare at him. "Seeing as how she's the only one you'll let near your bed, or any where else for that matter."
At that, Angel lost his temper. He walked towards her, seemingly to take only a few strides to get there. He grabbed Cordy by her arms and dragged her up, shaking her slightly.
"Dammit, Cordelia. I care about you. But I can't give you what you want!"
"You could if you really wanted to. You could control it if you wanted." She said heatedly.
They stood their glaring into each others eyes, passion and desire meeting the same. Suddenly, with a low primitive growl, Angel dragged her towards him to claim her mouth.
Cordelia let out a low moan as his tongue assaulted her. He'd let go of her arms to possessively grab her waist. She put her arms around his neck, pulling him down, greedy for more.
Angel moaned, deep in his chest and lifted her off the ground. Cordy wrapped her long legs around his lean waist and held on for dear life as the kiss swept them away.
Cordelia broke away and started placing hot kisses down Angel's face and neck. Then, out of pure instinct and lust, Cordy sank he blunt teeth into Angel's neck.
Angel lost all sense in that moment. In one fluid motion, his arm swept over the desk, clearing the contents to the floor, all the while never letting her slip. They fell onto the desk, both with a grunt.
Angel worked his way down her neck, leaving a trail of kisses. Cordelia desperately pulled at his shirt, trying to feel the skin underneath. Angel broke away from her so she pull the offending garment from him and toss it to the floor. Cordy ran her hands down his muscular back, treasuring the coolness.
Angel looked deep into her eyes. "There's no going back." he growled huskily. Her only answer was to drag him down and assail him with another kiss.
Angel was lost in her. He'd let his passion go to far to turn back. He tried undoing the buttons of her shirt, losing the battle halfway through, finally just ripping the garment the rest of the way. Buttons scattered allover the floor. He began kissing his way down her throat, working his way to her lace covered breast. He was so far gone, he almost didn't"t hear her scream of pain. Almost.
Angel quickly stood up, thinking to himself, Oh god, I've bitten her and din''t realize it.
Cordy fell to the floor the instant she was released, grabbing her head. Angel immediately dropped to his knees, pulling Cordy up, trying to find the source of her pain.
"Angel. . ." Cordy moaned, as she continued to hold her head.
As Angel pulled her closer, searching for signs of obvious pain, he finally realized she was having a vision.
***
Lilith chuckled as she kicked the bloody, mutilated corpse to the side. She had let the vision go. After all, the girl could only take so much. Her Angeles never ceased to amaze her. She thought about the scene she had happily interrupted. Her childe always managed to find the feisty little humans. Oh well, it didn't matter. That just made them all the more interesting to play with. Lilith started to descend the dark staircase to find her prince. They had many more plans to make.
***
Cordelia moved her head and let out a groan. God, her head hurt. She opened her eyes carefully. She was in a dark room. Panic rose up in her heart. Was she in the same dark room that was in her vision. Lately, her visions had been so real, she had a hard time realizing when they were over. She sat up, grabbing her head as the pain subsided. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, and she searched the room. She knew Angel was close, his scent was all around her.
"Angel?" she called quietly. Movement came from behind her. Cordelia quickly turned, groaning as the room began to spin. "Ooh." She moaned.
"Are you okay?" Angel asked quietly, coming to sit next to her on the bed. He gently started to rub her back.
"Yeah, other than the construction team working over time in my head.. I'm fine." She answered. She noticed that she had one of Angel's shirts on, and shifted uncomfortably as Angel continued to rub her back.
Angel stopped, and dropped his hand. "Cordelia, I. . " he started.
"Please. Don't." Cordy said as she put a finger to his lips. She leaned in to kiss him.
"Cordy." Angel said again, gently holding her arms.
"What?" she asked as she looked into his eyes. She searched deep and read his answer there. Cordy stood up and paced, hating all the feelings coursing through her.
Angel watched as her emotions played across her face. She looked so small as his shirt engulfed her. He'd been so scared when she started screaming. He had really thought that he had hurt her. Cordelia, for some time now, had had the ability to make him lose all control and brain thought. However, that couldn't keep happening though. One of these times there wouldn't be an interruption and then all hell would break loose. That, he could never let happen.
"We can't let that happen again, Cordelia." Angel said. When he looked up, his heart dropped into his stomach at the pain in her eyes. Then, with a flash, it was gone replaced by the anger that was flashing there now.
"We shouldn't do that again? If I recall, you're the one who started that whole clear the desk and throw me down thing." Cordy snapped as a shiver went through her at the memory.
"I know. I'm sorry It won't happen again." Angel said soberly.
Cordy let out a yell of pure frustration. "How can you do that? Just go from all violent and animal growling to oh, sorry Cordy. I won't happen again." She shouted.
"I've had about two ours to calm down. Are you going to tel me about the vision?" He asked.
"Oh, don't you dare." She said evenly, as she started pacing again. "Don't you dare change the subject on me."
"I'm not trying to change the subject, but I would like to know what caused the, well. . . you know." Angel said, as he tried to wipe the image of Cordelia's body wrapped around him. Cordy made a very unladylike noise as she rolled her eyes towards the ceiling.
"Whatever." She growled.
"Look, Cordy" Angel started, then they both heard the knock on the door.
Angel got up and started walking to the door.
"Perfect. Now what?" Cordy muttered as sh followed Angel out.
****
Why are you knocking on the door, pet." Spike asked, as he came up behind Buffy.
"Because it's just rude otherwise." Buffy snapped. She was tired and it had been a long trip. She wasn't looking forward to the pissing contest that would ensue the minute Spike and Angel came into contact. She would really have to do something about that insecurity thing, she thought as she looked at the grinning vampire.
They both turned as the front door opened.
"Buffy. . .You brought Spike." Angel said, a little surprised. He moved to the side to let the Slayer in.
"Didn't think I was going to let her come alone, did ya?" Spike said sarcastically as he tried to enter. "What'd ya do, Peaches. Have an uninvite spell done?" Spike asked as he tried to enter again.
"Don't be stupid. You know you don't need to be invited into a vampire's home." Angel said dryly as he walked up to embrace Buffy.
"Hello. Stuck. Tell me to come in Angel, and stop doing that!" Spike said in frustration, glaring darkly.
Buffy looked over Angels shoulder and rolled her eyes, letting go of the older vampire.
"Quit clowning around, Spike." Buffy sighed with a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I'm not." Spike whined.
Cordelia was walking down the steps, watching the scene. "Oh, for God sakes." She muttered. "Come in Spike." And with these words, Spike entered and shut the door. He walked over to Buffy with a knowing smile as realization sunk in.
"Angel left to follow Cordy to the living room.
"Thought you said this was Angel's place?" Spike whispered in Buffy's ear.
"What? It is." Buffy said as she took in the scene around her. Angel had opened the door shirtless, and Cordy had come down the stairs in a shirt that looked like Angel's.
"At least, I thought so." She muttered
"Spike and Buffy followed them into the living room, Spike chuckling to himself. He had already taken in the scene, and with his keen vampire sense detected the smell of arousal. A woman' arousal to be exact. And not his Slayers.
"Very interestin." Spike said to himself and Buffy. She turned to him and glared.
"Shut up. It's none of our business." Buffy whispered. Buffy had caught on without the vampire smell. She wasn't blind. Buffy sat down and stared into two pair of brown eyes, smoldering with desire.
"So," Spike started as the all settled in the living room. "What's got your dander up, Angel? I smell your fear, among other things." Spike stated, smugly as he pointedly looked at Angel.
Angel glared at Spike with a growl of warning. Spike just looked at his sire and shrugged.
Buffy, sensing the tension between the two, popped Spike in the back of the head. "Shut up, Spike. Don't be an ass."
"No. He's right Buffy. I am afraid." Angel said as he turned his attention to the blonde slayer.
"Yeah, see. I wasn't being an ass." Spike muttered, still rubbing the back of his head.
"Ok. Enough with the niceties. Let's get this over with. I'm tired and I want to go to bed." Cordy said, rubbing her head.
"I'll just bet you do." Spike chuckled under his breath. Buffy turned and glared at him. "Okay. I'll shut up. Just don't hit me again."
"It all started a few weeks ago." Angel began, only to be interrupted by a hostile Cordelia.
"Look, I'll tell them since it's been happening to me. Of course, only if that's alright with you, Mr. Always in control." Cordy said dryly.
Spike and Buffy just stared at the two people before them, neither knowing if the vampire ans the seer were going to kill each other or throw each other on the ground for a porn show. Oh, yes. This would be very interesting, indeed. Spike thought to himself.
"It started right after we got back from Sunnydale. I started having these dreams. They're very intense. Very real feeling. To the point that I think they are actually happening sometimes." Cordy said, getting quieter towards the end.
Angel looked at her at the last statement. "You didn't tell me that." He said gently, some of his anger leaving him
"You didn't ask." She said quietly, avoiding Angels eyes.
For the first time in the last few weeks, Angel really looked at Cordelia. She looked tired, her eyes slightly sunken in. He'd been so worried about Spike and Buffy since there return, he hadn't really paid attention to Cordy's visions. They had just become the norm with her. The rest of his anger faded away to guilt.
Great just what he needed. Guilt about his, on top of his other guilt. He was so tired of feeling guilty all the time. Maybe Cordy was right, maybe he should let what was in the past stay in the past. It's not like he could change it. He could only change the present and the future. His present and future which was increasingly becoming wrapped up in the beautiful woman who haunted his dreams.
Buffy was the first to speak, breaking the awkward silence.
"Cordy, what do your dreams show you?" She asked, trying to draw the other girls attention.
Cordy looked up at the petite blonde. She had formed an unusual friendship with the Slayer. Buffy saw defeat in Cordy's eyes. She wanted to reassure her that the would do something. She didn't know what. But something.
Cordy took a shaky breath, then began.
"They're horrible. Your basic blood, guts, and mutilation. Bad demon, poor innocent. No different really from my other visions. Except for the real factor. Like there happening to me." Cordy paused, heaving a deep sigh. "Look, can we finish this tomorrow? I'm really tired." She asked, looking down at the floor.
"Yeah, sure. No reason for the creepies right before bed." Buffy said, trying to lighten the mood.
Cordelia got up and collected her jacket and purse. Angel stood, having said nothing since his enlightenment.
"Just point us in the direction of the bedroom, Peaches, and we'll find it." Spike said to Angel. Buffy elbowed him and sent him a warning look. Angel never took his eyes off Cordelia.
"I'll show you." He said absently.
"No, don't bother." Buffy said as she watched Angel. She waiting for some kind of flicker of jealousy to flare. Buffy knew the look Angel was giving Cordelia very well. But nothing. She was actually routing for Cordy, hoping she could break the wall centuries of torment had done.
Funny how ironic the world was, Buffy thought as she went to the former Prom Queen and embraced her, much the way Cordy had done for her when Spike had been kidnaped.
"We'll fix everything." Buffy whispered as she gave Cordy a knowing look. Cordy stood. Looking a little surprised.
"Coming, luv?" Spike asked at the bottom of the staircase.
"Third door on the left." Cordy said as she gazed at Angel.
"G'night, Ducks." Spike called as the went up the steps.
****
Cordy stared at the man in front of. Why couldn't he just let go. She was willing to accept the consequences, but she didn't believe all the 'perfect happiness' crap. She turned and started the door. She still thought she was right and the only curse on Angel was himself. Cordelia grabbed the doorknob, and jerked the door open.
"Cordelia." Angel called huskily. She stopped. Dammit, she had told herself she wouldn't stop.
"What." She ground out.
"You don't have to go, You can just stay here. It's late." Angel said quietly.
"No, I can't." She whispered defensively.
"I promise. . . uh, well. I won't happen again."
"Yeah, well, I can't." She said angrily, and stormed out the door.
****
Buffy was climbing into bed when she heard the front door slam. Followed immediately by Angels' growl of "Dammit. Stubborn woman."
The sounds of footsteps stomping up the stairs, followed by another slamming door.
"What was that all about?" Buffy wondered aloud as she snuggled up to Spike.
"A lover's quarrel, Pet." Spike said as he pulled her closer to nuzzle her ear. "Want to have one so we can make up." he whispered.
"No. Leave me alone." She said, pushing him playfully. "I'm trying to sleep. I'm tired." She finished, pouting.
"Better stop pouting, Pet. You know how I get when you pout." Spike growled. Buffy giggled and threw her arm over his chest.
"I love you, Fang Face." She sighed contentedly.
"I love you to, Slayer." Spike said as he pulled her towards him to kiss her forehead.
****
Damn stubborn man, Cordy thought as she slammed her front door.
"Hey, Dennis." She called out to her little version of Casper. She stripped her jacket off, throwing it on the chair. Cordy walked into her bedroom, sinking down onto the bed to pull off her boots. That done, she laid back on the bed with a sigh, She hadn't been lying when she said she was exhausted. Her eyes started to drift close as images of Angel, her and a desk played out in her mind.
That evening, Angel awoke. He wasn't really in a better mood, just rested. He'd snuck out and followed Cordy home like he usually did when she left in a huff. He really should ask her to move in again, he thought absently, running a hand over his face. Even though he knew what her answer would be. God, she was stubborn and hard headed, but then that was one of things he found most attractive about her. No, Cordelia Chase was definitely a woman who got her own way. Unfortunately, she wanted him, and as much as he would love to give her what she wanted, he couldn't.
Angel was so lost in thought about the woman who tormented him, he didn't hear the knock on the door.
"Angel." Buffy said, hesitantly as she opened the door slowly.
Angel turned his head as the petite blond peeked in. He sat up.
"Buffy. Come in." He said.
"I just came to see if you were awake." She said as she shifted from foot to foot in the doorway.
"Yeah. Just wasn't ready to get out of bed. Come in. Sit down." He said, watching her unease.
Buffy walked towards the chair opposite him and sank into it. Angel watched her. This was the girl he had given up so much for. Actually, as he watched her pull her feet up in the chair he realized there were only traces of that girl left. Her face was the same, beautiful, but the eyes were different. Lost was the innocense that used to be there. Gone now were the unsure movements of and awkward teenager. Replacing them now was the confidence and grace of a woman. Angel took a moment to mourn the loss, but he was glad.
She was a loved woman, and he could see it in her eyes. Of course, Spike of all people puzzled him, but he guessed he could see it. Spike was good for her. He had that 'tell it like it is' personality. He felt no shame or remorse for the thing he'd done. It was part of who and what he was, plain and simple.
"Where's Spike?" Angel asked as his thoughts turned towards his childe.
"Oh. He's still asleep." She said, a soft smile touching her lips. "Although everyone else is here."
"Cordelia's here?" Angel said as he started to get up.
"No." Buffy answered, hesitantly.
"Oh." Angel mouthed as he sat back down, staring at his hands.
"Do you think it's Lilith?" Buffy asked, with a slight tremor in her voice.
"Don't think. I know." Angel said quietly, looking up from his hands.
Buffy looked at Angel with panic in her eyes. She stood and started to pace.
"Great. Psycho Queen Vamp at your service.": Buffy muttered. Angel stood, making her pause in her movement.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you." Angel apologized, regretting his original decision to call the Slayer.
"What?" Buffy asked, as she looked up at him. "Angel, I called you. You came. So in turn, you called. I came. You're still my friend, you know." Adding a smile to the last of her statement.
"She's torturing Cordy." Angel admitted, dejectedly, as he sank back down onto the bed, placing his head in his hands.
"What does she want?" Buffy asked, sitting next to him and placing a hand on his back.
Just then, the door burst open, and Spike strolled in.
"Well, well, well. Lookie what we've got here." Spike said, "I was looking for you, Pet."
"I was right here, Honey." Buffy said sarcastically as she looked at the blond vampire. "Angel was just telling me he thinks Queen Bitch is behind Cordy's visions." Buffy explained.
"Good reason for the fear, mate." Spike said to Angel, a chill of fear racing down his spine. He stood for a minute when the realization dawned on him. "So why the bloody hell did you call my slayer?" He growled angrily.
"Spike." Buffy exclaimed as she walked towards him. She ran her hands over his arms as she tried to calm him down. "Angel needs our help to protect Cordy, and we're going to give it to him. The same way he helped us." She reminded him.
"No, we're not. He wasn't supposed to help. He was supposed to stop you." He growled, his voice swamped with irritation. "I'm sorry. I feel for the girl an' all. Especially since she's got to deal with this bloke, but I won't stay here and watch you get pummeled again." Spike finished pointedly at Buffy, then turning to glare at Angel.
"All the more reason you'll stay and watch my butt." She said as she patted his cheek.
Spike looked confused for a moment and opened his mouth to protest again, but he was drowned out by the slamming of the front door.
"ANGEL!....ANGEL!" The trio looked at the doorway as the frantic cries continued.
"That's Cordy. MOVE!" Was all Buffy and Spike heard as the older vampire pushed past them and out of the room.
The pair looked at each other, then raced out o the room after Angel. They stopped at the top of the stairs to watch the frantic scene play out before them.
Angel was half way down the stairs, Cordelia was running from room to room screaming Angels' name pushing people out of her way, looking half mad.
"Cordelia." Angel said in a panic as he got to the bottom of the steps.
Cordelia spun around when she heard his voice. Her eyes had a slight crazed look to them before recognition took over and she launched at Angel,
" Oh, God, oh God. You're alive." She said frantically, running shaky hands over his face and arms, reassuring herself that he was real.
Angel grabbed her, noticing for the first time tears pouring down her face. She was shaking like a leaf, and he pulled her close.
"What? What, baby?" he whispered urgently.
"Y-you were there, and it was so good. A-and then it turned." Cordelia stuttered. "I, I couldn't reach you. And it w-was dark. Y-you kept calling me and I couldn't reach you." Cordelia let out a sob and pulled Angel tighter.
Angel broke the hold and took her face in between his hands, searching her face as Cordy desperately tried to grasp his arms.
"Baby, I'm fine. Slow down and tell me what happened." Angel said, trying to calm her down. Cordelia stared into his dark eyes, then she went limp, sagging into his arms as she sobbed.
Angel picked her up and carried her to the couch. He sat down, holding Cordy in his lap, gently rocking her. She laid her head on his shoulder, burying her face in his neck as she pulled him closer. Angel rested his cheek against her hair, steadily crooning quiet words.
Fred ran towards the kitchen, calling out "I'll make tea."
"Be a luv ad put something with a kick in it for her." Spike said as he and Buffy passed her on their way into the living room. Spike sat in the chair opposite Angel and Cordy while Buffy sat on the coffee table directly on front of them. Buffy laid a gentle hand on Cordy's leg, noticing the quiver still there.
"Honey, what happened?" She asked quietly.
Fred walked back with the tray, placing it on the table next to Buffy. She picked up the mug she'd made for her friend and handed it to Angel.
"Thanks, Fred." Angel smiled at her as he took the mug. He nudged Cordy with his shoulder. "Here, drink this."
Cordelia sat up, taking a shaky breath before accepting the mug. She took a sip and grimaced as the hot liquid and whiskey burned down her throat.
"Better?" Angel asked, rubbing her back.
"No," she coughed. "I hate whiskey." Angel relaxed a little when he heard some of the spunk back in her voice. Anything was better than the panic and fear that he had heard earlier.
"So, what happened, luv?" Spike asked, calmly.
Cordelia looked up and glanced at everyone in the room, intently watching her. She looked back down at the mug in her hands.
"I don't really want to talk about it." She replied quietly.
"Cordelia. I really think you should. If Lilith is on the move again, we really need to know." Wesley said.
"Lilith?" Cordy gasped, panic seizing her voice again. Her eyes locked with Angels, seeing the truth there. She leapt up in an outrage.
"You knew?" She said in a quiet accusing tone.
"Not exactly."
"You're lying. I can see it in your face."
"Alright. I knew Lilith was here. I swear I didn't know she was behind your dreams until recently. I thought maybe the Power's were giving them to you." Angel said, rising to his feet.
Cordy stood staring at him in silence. Angel saw the utter shock fade away to hurt. He took a step towards her, but she flinched. She then turned and ran out of the room. Her footsteps the only thing breaking the silence.
Angel took a few steps towards the stairs.
"I wouldn't if I were you." Buffy said. Angel turned to look at her.
"I can't just leave it like this. I have to explain."
"You know. I don't understand how you could live so long and not learn a thing about woman." Angel shot her a confused look. Buffy shook her head, getting up and moving towards him. "Okay, terms you can understand. Follow Cordy. Bad. Stay down here. Good." She placed her hand on his arm. "Let me go." She looked at him reassuringly. Angel put his head down and nodded.
"She'll be in my room." He said quietly. Buffy nodded and headed up the stairs.
Cordelia was pacing back and forth in his room. How could he, she thought. They were supposed to tell each other everything. They worked together, trust was imperative. Well, in all fairness, he didn't lie. He just didn't tell her. But he had told Wesley. Buffy probably knew. She was so tired of him treating her like a china doll, like she would break.
Sure, she wasn't a demon or the Slayer, but she had a backbone. She'd managed to keep herself alive when she was running a round the Hellmouth. She'd staked a few vampires. Sometimes she just wished, oh, better not to wish the. He'd really be pissed. Damn, she hated men. Vampires, human, demons, they were all the same.
That's where Buffy found her. Pacing to and fro, muttering to herself.
"Suck, don't they?" Cordelia turned at the sound of Buffy's voice.
"I hope he didn't send yo up here to defend him, cuz, I don't want to hear it." Cordy said, glaring at the smaller woman. Buffy looked at the hostile woman standing in front of her and shook her head. God, she hoped she hadn't been like this when her and Spike had been on Lilith's to do list.
"No, actually. I stopped him from coming up here." Buffy said, as she strolled over to the bed and sat down.
"Idiot."
"That's what I told him. Not in those exact words. I used small ones, so he could understand. You know, Follow, bad. Stay, good.."
Cordelia snickered. "I bet he liked that."
"Don't know. I didn't stick around. Cordelia, " Buffy started, turning serious. "He thought he was doing a good thing. He can't help it he's a man, flawed by nature."
"I know." Cordelia sighed as she sank into the chair. "But it hurt he didn't trust me."
"It's not a bout trust, Cord. It's his own stupid way of trying to protect you. Kind of like 'Me big strong man. MUST protect stupid whimpering woman.'" Buffy said, pounding on her chest for emphasis.
Cordy snorted and rolled her eyes towards the ceiling, then laid her head on the back of the chair.
"What does she want, Buffy?"
"I don't know. But I do know that we aren't going to find out anything by hanging around here."
"You're right." Cordy said, jumping up with renewed energy. "I'll jump in the shower, then maybe we can patrol."
"Yeah, anything's better than sitting and waiting for psycho bitch to decide it's playtime." Buffy said, as she got up to leave the room.
"She already has." Cordy said, pointedly. The look she gave Buffy sent a chill down her spine.