Title: A Charming Interlude (Cordy's Story)

Author: Kyra

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Summary: Cordy didn't die at the end of 'You're Welcome.' She was given a new job by the Powers That Be. A job in San Francisco, helping the Charmed ones.

Spoilers: Angel Season 5 episode, 'You're Welcome.' A few spoilers from Season 7 of Charmed later on, specifically the episodes, 'Cheaper By The Coven,' 'Styx Feet Under,' and 'Witchness Protection.'

Warnings: None

A/N: Some of the dialogue in this chapter comes directly from the season 7 Charmed episode 'Cheaper By The Coven.' I have no clue what actually happened in the episode, as I've never seen it. The dialogue comes from an online transcript. So, I'm filling in the actions and stuff myself, which means I highly doubt it will match up to what actually happened on the show.

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Chapter 2: Cheaper By The Coven

(April 2004)

Cordelia smiled as she felt the presence in the shadows. 'Finally,' She thought.

The Seer had been in the Underworld for only a week so far, but it was driving her absolutely batty being surrounded by so many demons and not being able to kill them without blowing her cover. She had spent most of her time experimenting with her new powers. That shimmering thing was pretty cool. And being able to control the now pain-free visions was something she was definitely enjoying. Thankfully she hadn't had any demons come and ask for her help killing anyone yet, just one rather pathetic demon asking for help with his love life.

Cordy shook the memory from her head and spoke up, "Kind of an odd place for an Elder to visit. Then again, the word is, you can't get enough of the dark side these days."

Leo stepped out of the shadows as he replied, "Someone from the Underworld is after my son. I want to know who."

"You mean a demon?" Cordy asked, "Nah, I don't think so. They know better by now."

"Obviously somebody doesn't," Leo said.

Cordy looked at Leo, a curious expression on her face. "Tell me, what makes you so sure its not an Elder? Someone who thinks that maybe your friend Gideon was right?" She asked him.

Leo Angrily grabbed her by the throat and shoved her against the wall. "No other Elders are gonna die by my hands," He growled out, "I can't say the same thing for demons."

Cordelia quirked a brow at him as she rasped out her reply, "Can you even tell the difference anymore?"

Leo angrily threw her across the room.

She smirked as she stood up. "You know, I'm kind of liking this new side of you," She told him, "It's not as goopy."

Leo glared at her as her moved toward her. "Last time, who's trying to kill my son?"

"You want an answer? You'll find it in there," She told him, motioning towards the large pool of water in the center of the cave.

Leo walked over to the pool and looked into and watched as the water swirled before clearing and showing the image of a face. His face.

"Looks like the only threat to your son is you," Cordy said as she stepped up next to him at the pool.

Leo angrily whirled and grabbed her by the throat again, lefting her off the ground slightly so that she was on her toes. "No!" He shouted, "You lie!"

"The pool never lies."

With a final glare Leo let go of the Seer, causing her to land on the floor in a heap, and left the cave.

After he was gone, Cordy let out a huff of air. "Jeez, angry much?" She said to herself. "It's anger like that that got him into this mess in the first place!"

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Cordelia sat on a couch that she had moved into the cave. She sighed as she saw Leo emerging from the shadows again and stood up. "There's nothing more I can tell you about the demon," She told him.

"You can tell me where he came from," Leo replied, "I have to know, did it come from me? Tell me."

Cordy actually felt sorry for the guy, but continued playing her part as an emotionless demon. "Oh, what's the matter? Are you in pain?" She mocked.

"Please…" Leo whispered, pleading.

"See, I have a problem. You kind of have a temper. And if I don't tell you then, well, you'll probably choke me to death. And if I do tell you and you don't like the answer, well, then you'll probably choke me to death." Cordy said.

"I won't hurt you," Leo stated.

"Yeah, that's not much of a guarantee. But you could swear on the head of your precious son," She told him.

"Leave him out of this," Leo growled out angrily.

"There's that temper thing."

"I'm not leaving here until I get an answer," Leo said as he advanced toward the Seer, stopping a few feet in front of her.

Cordelia let out a sigh, she really did feel bad for the guy. Letting out one more sigh, she flopped back down onto the couch, patting the seat next to her. "Alright. Sit down and I'll explain it to you."

Leo sent a suspicious look toward her before sitting down at the other end of the couch and turning to face her.

"I really shouldn't be doing this," She muttered to herself before raising her voice and turning to the Elder at the other end of her couch. "Okay, it's like this. The demon isn't actually a demon. It's a manifestation of your son's guilt." She held up her hand to forestall Leo's protests as he opened his mouth to argue. "He feels like its his fault that you and you're wife are having problems, that you're never home, and that you're acting all, well, crazy. A lot of kids blame themselves when their parents break up, normally that just manifests as nightmares, but since your son is so powerful, they come to life whenever he feels conflict. Understand so far?"

"Yeah, I think so. But why would he make up something that looks like me?" Leo asked.

"Simple. Because you're the bad guy. As far as he's concerned, if you hadn't killed Gideon then you wouldn't be so lost and you'd be around, you'd be home and you and your wife wouldn't be having problems. And you wouldn't have killed Gideon if you weren't saving him, that's why he blames himself. He thinks its all his fault. You just need to make him realize that none of this is his fault." Cordelia explained.

"Oh god," Leo breathed. "Everything's such a mess." He looked at the brunette curiously. "Why did you tell me all that? Why not just make me look in the pool? Why actually explain it?" He asked.

The Seer merely shrugged, "Honestly? I felt bad for you. And for the kid, he shouldn't be blaming himself for something he had no control over. Now go home and reassure your son that he's not to blame."

Leo nodded and stood up. He hesitated for a moment before turning back to Cordy, "Thank you," He whispered, then turned and orbed out of the cave.

Cordy just smiled sadly, "You're welcome," She whispered back into the empty cave.

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Well, there's chapter 2 out of the way! Yay! I hope you guys liked it.

This one was 4 pages and 1,074 words.

I really hope you guys liked this. And like I said I've never seen the episode before, so if something's wrong, sorry. Also, I know from reading the transcript that the scene between the Seer and Leo ended after he told her that he wasn't leaving until he got an answer. But since this is Cordy's story, I made up something to finish off the scene.

Again, I hope ya'll liked this chapter! Leave me a review and let me know what you think!

Kyra