Title: Homecoming

Author: Jodine

Email: R (just to be safe)

Category: Alternate Universe

Content: (Pairing) Angel/Cordelia, Gunn/Fred

Summary: They gave her up to protect her, On her 18th birthday they decide it's time she knows the truth.

Spoilers: Up to season 3. Goes astray from there. Oh and no Conner.

Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss

Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.

Distribution: please ask.

Notes: This is my first story, feedback is NEEDED. I plan to make this in several parts/sequels, almost like its own show.

Feedback: Please!

Part 1

The Ides of March

March had come all too soon for Angel. He had hoped that he could keep this day from ever happening. This would be the day he has dreaded and brooded (according to Cordelia at least) for the past two years. Across the lobby Angel noted his seers obvious excitement as she prepared to leave. Cordelia knew the repercussions of what they were about to do, but he knew she was too excited to care. Cordelia had waited two extremely long years and NOTHING was going to stand in her way.

"Angel!" Cordelia called. Angel put down his newspaper that he had not been reading but rather using as a way to brood without being caught. He noticed her red chiffon blouse. It was very tastefully cut and went perfect with her blue jeans, but that was his Cordelia, she was perfect.

"Huh?" Cordelia rolled her eyes at he weak statement. Like she didn't know what he was doing with that newspaper. Reading it? i PFFT yeah right i/ . She studied him a moment, black shirt and pants. That man was just too gorgeous for his own good and apparently for color as well she mused.

"Were you brooding again? This is the day we have waited for, for two years! TWO YEARS, ANGEL!"

"Yes, believe me I realize that Cordy, but we need to think," Angel was cut off by Cordelia making air quotes. He knew instantly his argument would fail. Cordelia always seemed to win with him and whenever she didn't there was hell to be paid.

"…Of the repercussions this could have on her, yes I realize this, Angel." Cordelia explained, "But I just feel this is right. We did as the PTB asked us to. We did everything. Now it's time to get her back."

"Cordelia..." Angel started, but was abruptly cut off.

"Angel, we have to do this, we have to at least try. She's… she's…I can't even say it Angel. I want to know her, I deserve this, and YOU deserve this. The worse that could happen is she could refuse to come back with us" Angel's face fell. Cordelia knew she had hit the root of his worry and continued on, " We are going to go spend a day or two there and try to get her to come back with us. At least we will know more than we know now."

Cordelia moved closer to Angel and kissed him. He grabbed her hips and pulled her closer to him. Angel pulled away and looked into her eyes.

"I want her to want us, to want this. But look around Cordelia, what do we have to give her? Demons? Vampires? Death?" Cordelia put her hand up to silence him.

"We have a family, we have a love that was so strong we gave her up to save her. We have given her so much already." Cordelia fought to keep her tears back. She blinked a couple times and continued to stare into Angels chocolate eyes.

"I'm Back!" There moment was quickly lost when Wesley entered the lobby through the front doors. His hair was shaggy and he was skinnier. He showed the signs of late nights and not enough food. He had been preparing for this spell for months.

"Did you get everything?" Angel said looking up at is friend.

"Yes, quite lucky actually. Marshung was the only place in China Town left. These are the correct texts." Wesley said sitting the bags down on the counter.

"I thought we had the text?" Cordelia said while walking over to peer into the bags.

"Well it appears from what I have read we can't use the same spell we used to place her in that dimension. As time changes the dimension's placements change. We needed a new spell to find the dimension again." Wesley said as he unloaded the various goods he had purchased.

"Oh, well that sucks!" was the only thing Cordelia could get out at the moment it was so surreal. Today was the day. No more wondering, in a less than three hours they would be there.

"Well I'm going to go finish getting ready" she said making her way up the stairs to what was now her and Angel's bedroom. Angel watched her go wondering if she was ok.

"Angel, you should finish getting ready as well. I will continue to set up everything we need here. I'll have everything ready to go soon." Wesley said as he began to draw on the Lobby floor.

Angel walked up the stairs in silence, this was it.