[B]Chapter Five[/B]
Angel's mind seemed incapable of processing the information on the video tape. He watched it several times, and still, his brain still found ways the images must some how be wrong.
But the video left no room for argument. He watched, mortified, as the woman on the screen pulled every plug keeping Cordelia alive. Her pretty face held no emotion as she stole his seer's life, and it only intensified Angel's fury.
The vampire shook himself out of his haze, then stood up and left the room. He made his way to the Wolfram & Hart building, mind on the disturbing information he had just received.
As he moved toward the conference room, whatever feelings of hurt he was dealing with turned to a rage he hadn't experienced in a long time. His demon was close to the surface and Angel wasn't forcing it down any more. He was basking in it's hostility and power.
As Angel moved to the room, he passed the seated Willow and Xander. The two started to greet him, but he passed by them and shoved the double doors open.
"Angel, what-" Angel moved past all of them to Buffy, grabbed her by the neck and throw her hand into the wall. It cracked from the impact of her body hitting it. "Angel!" Wesley yelled. Before Buffy could even react, Angel had her by the throat again. He pushed her into the wall, her feet dangling in the air, making her eyes level with his.
Wesley, Giles, Willow and Xander all tried to pull Angel off of Buffy. The Council members looked on, noting that the vampire wasn't budging, but not interfering themselves.
"You know how easily I could snap your neck right now? Buffy's eyes widened as she stared at him.
"Ang..."
"Shhh." His grip tightened, preventing her from finishing saying his name. The people in the room continued to try to get Angel off of Buffy. "Why?" Buffy blinked at Angel's angry question.
Her lack of response had Angel pulling Buffy forward, only to knock her back against the wall again. She blinked a few times as the room began to spin and pain coursed through out the back of her skull. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes and he screamed at her.
"Why! Why her!" Buffy couldn't answer Angel, even if she wanted to. His hand was around her neck so tightly that every breath was growing more difficult. Lack of oxygen and trauma from her head being slammed into the wall was making Buffy lightheaded.
Angel was finally torn away from Buffy. She slid down the wall, gasping for air. Willow, Xander and Giles went to her side. Angel looked to his sides and saw Gunn, Fred, Wesley, Spike and Harmony all holding onto him, keeping him from Buffy.
"Angel, what the hell is wrong with you?" Willow yelled. Angel's eyes didn't leave Buffy, and his friends didn't loosen their hold on him.
"Tell them Buffy." Angel's voice was dark and velvety. Suddenly, Buffy found she couldn't speak. She stared up at the enraged Angel. he was so furious and disgusted, with her. Looking at the angry scowl on his face made it impossible to deny that inside Angel was a murderous, evil, vindictive vampire, and all that hostility was focused on her.
"Angel. I hope you're not insinuating that Buffy had something to do with Cordelia's death." Angel grew still, but his friends still held onto him. He tensed. Buffy stared at him and gulped as she watched him, all sculpted angles and dangerous, powerful muscle, glad his friends were restraining him.
"Tell them Buffy." His lips twisted into a wolfish smirk, reminiscent of Angelus.
"Angel," Buffy's voice was a whisper, pleading with him to stop.
"Tell them how you walked in the hospital room. How you pulled each plug without a blink of those blue eyes."
"I didn't-"
"You did! I saw the tape Buffy! You didn't hold an ounce of second thought or remorse in your eyes. You didn't care. You're no better than the demons you kill. You're exactly the same."
"I'm not."
"That's the same way you killed Cordelia! Like a heartless, soulless-"
"It didn't happen like that!" She screamed. Her friends turned to her. She didn't notice. She just stared at Angel, begging him to understand. "She was evil Angel. She tried to destroy the world. I had to kill her."
"Buffy!" What left Willow's voice was a mix of a scream and a gasp.
"She wasn't evil." Angel argued.
"How do you know that?" Buffy countered, trying to make him understand.
"I knew."
"You didn't before. How would you know now?"
"I just did. I can't explain it, but I knew. She wasn't evil. I know loved her. I know she was my world. And I know you killed her."
"Angel."
"No." He broke away from his friends so quickly they couldn't get to him before he reached Buffy. He stood in front of her, not touching. His friends stayed close just in case, though they wouldn't blame him if he did try to kill her again. They might even allow it knowing what they knew now. "I want you out of here Buffy. I don't want to see you in LA again. If I here you are in town, I will find you and I will kill you."
"What!"
"You heard me. Even if I don't see you myself, and you don't think I know you're in town, I'll know. I will find you, I will kill you, and I will have no regrets. Now get the fuck out of my city." She was frozen by the intensity in his eyes. "You have until tonight." Then he turned and walked out of the office leaving a stunned group of people in his wake.
Buffy sat there, stunned. She felt like Angel had ripped her heart out and stomped on it. He hated her. He wanted her dead...and the looks from her three friends surrounding her nearly made her brake into tears.
"You killed Cordelia." Willow whispered, staring at her friend. It wasn't a question. It was a fact.
"Willow. I..."
"Buffy. You better leave." Wesley advised, knowing the vampire would follow through on his threat without a second thought. She nodded, stood up and left, arms wrapped around herself. Wesley looked to the other people in the room. "In fact, I think everyone should leave." He said, then looked at the members of the new council. "Now."
Angel sat in his desk office blending in with the shadows in the room. A soft, hesitant knock on his door echoed throughout the quiet room. He didn't say a word, but the door opened.
"Angel?" He looked up, surprised to see Willow standing in his doorway. "Can I talk to you real quick?" He blinked. She took that as a yes, walked in, and sat in the chair in front of his desk.
"About?" He expected a plea on Buffy's behalf. Something about the Slayer being brainwashed, unaware of her own actions, or some other excuse along those lines.
"Angel, I swear, none of us had a clue Buffy had something to do with this."
"I know Willow."
"I want to try to make this right, but I don't think I can."
"Things are never going to be okay between Buffy and I again Willow. But I hold nothing against you. I know you had nothing to do with it."
"If you need anything Angel, some help, someone to talk to, anything...I'm here for you okay?" He nodded. "I'll um, just go now, okay?" He didn't move or say a word, so she walked to the door. As she was about to leave, Angel stopped her.
"Willow."
"Oh! Yeah, Angel?" She said, startled when she heard his voice.
"There is something you can do for me."
[B]Chapter Six[/B]
[I]"Angel..." a soft, melodic voice echoed through his subconscious. "Angel...wake up..." Angel shifted, trying to ignore the voice attempting to awake him.
The feeling of soft, warm lips traveled down his chest. He took in a breath at the sensation, body moving toward the feeling as blunt teeth moved down and nibbled lightly on his hip bone. His eyes opened when he felt a warm hand grasp his manhood.
His eyes met a pair of mischievous hazel ones smiling up at him. She locked her eyes with his as she took him into her mouth. Angel's eyes fluttered, but he keep them on her as she moved her head up and down.
"Cordy..." she ignored him and continued her assault. Angel's hands reached for her and pulled her up to him. She smiled at him and licked her lips. "Minx."
"You know you love it."
"I do." He said and grasped her hips, lifting her and positioning her over his hard shaft.
"Angel." His name escaped her lips as a soft whisper as he entered her. She leaned forward and kissed him, their bodies touching. His hands gripped her ass and the two started to rock, him filling her deeper with every thrust.
Angel's thrust became harder. He brought his knees up and Cordelia leaned back , altering position.
"Come for me Angel." Her voice was rough with passion. She clenched her inner muscles, repeating when she heard the moan escape his lips.
She leaned forward again and kissed him hard, maximizing body contact. Her lips left his and moved to his ear.
"Come on baby..." Her hands squeezed his thighs, teeth biting down on his shoulder, mixing pleasure with pain. He felt himself about to come when-[/I]
The ringing of the telephone echoed loudly in the quiet confines of Angel's bedroom. Angel's eyes snapped open and he growled, pulling his pillow over his head, trying to get lost in his dream. The phone continued to ring and Angel realized he wasn't going back to sleep, so he picked up the phone.
"What!" He yelled into the phone.
"An-Angel?" A timid voice asked.
"Willow?" He asked, feeling bad for screaming at her.
"Yeah. Um, is this not a good time 'cause I can call you back-"
"No. Willow, it's fine. I'm just stressed. What's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know I'll do it." Angel sat up, at full attention now.
"You sure?"
"Yes. I just...can I meet you some where tonight? To talk to you?"
"Yeah. Um, meet me at about eight tonight at this place on Beverly Boulevard. It's called the Bagel Broker. They have great coffee. Cordy loved it..." Angel got lost in his thoughts for a moment, then shook himself out of them. "I'll see you are eight." Then he hung up.
"Yeah. Okay." Willow stared at the phone and took in a deep breath, telling herself this would all end okay.
Willow walked down the street towards the cafe she was supposed to meet Angel at. She was running about twenty minutes early. She wanted to get something to eat before Angel showed up. Some how, chomping on a sandwich took the seriousness away from the situation, and resurrecting the dead was not something to be taken lightly.
As Willow approached the building, she was pushed into an alley by a large group of people. She was about to return to the sidewalk, but was grabbed and taken deeper into the alley way.
[I] An alley[/I], she thought. [I]How original[/I]. Her attacker turned her around so she faced him. Willow's eyes widened in surprise.
Angel had been waiting for half an hour and Willow had yet to show up. He drank his coffee and stared into space, remembering the evenings he and Cordelia had spent here.
"Excuse me? Excuse me, Sir?" Angel looked up at the woman. Her name tag read Amy.
"Yeah?"
"Um, you're Cordelia's boyfriend, right?" Angel froze.
"Not exactly."
"Well, you two always came in together, and when you didn't she'd always talk about you."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but I was just wondering because I haven't seen her-"
"She's gone."
"Oh. Is she coming back soon?"
"I'm working on it."
"I hope she does." Amy said to herself.
"Me too." Angel said to himself.
"Tell her I said hello." Angel didn't hear her. He was busy missing Cordelia. That thought made him realize how long he'd been here and that Willow wasn't coming. He stood up angrily and left the bagel place.
Angel stalked down the alley, pausing to send a trash can flying with a kick. He bent his knees, made a powerful leap onto the neighboring building's roof, and walked slowly back to the W&H building. The feeling of his phone vibrating in his pocket only contributed to Angel's irritation.
"What?"
"It's Wesley."
"Uh-huh."
"I'm talking to Xander?"
"And me?" Wesley rolled his eyes.
"He's at the hotel."
"Why?"
"He's looking for Willow."
"Yeah, well, that makes two of us."
"He said she left over an hour ago. She was going to call him and didn't." Angel stopped walking.
"She never showed up to meet me." Angel heard Wesley tell Xander Willow never showed up. Xander said something Angel couldn't hear, and Angel interjected. "Wesley. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"All right." Angel hung up and picked up his walking pace. He walked off the roof of a building across the street, landing in a semi-crouch, then entering the W&H lobby.
Angel looked around, searching for the Wesley and Xander, walking over to them.
"So," Angel said. "Our Willow is missing in action, huh?" Angel's tone suggested more irritation then worry.
"Not funny." Xander said.
"Not laughing."
"Where do you think she is?" Wesley asked.
"Don't know. We have to figure it out though. Soon."
Willow walked into Angel's office in Wolfram & Hart, the vampire coming up behind her.
"Willow!" Xander ran to her, embracing her in a tight hug. Angel strolled through his office, then walked over to his chair, plopping down into it. He exchanged a glance with Wesley.
"Where was she?" Wesley asked.
"The council had her." Wesley's eyes widened. "They found out what we're trying to do. They tried to stop her."
"Are you all right?" Willow nodded. "How'd you get her out?"
"I have my ways." Wesley didn't ask anymore questions after he saw the dark flash in Angel's eyes. The vampire looked to Willow. "You're okay?"
"Yup."
"Good. Then lets get to it."
[B]Chapter Seven[/B]
Willow held the urn out in front of her, then placed it gently on the table in front of her.
"Is it the right urn?" Fred asked, receiving a look from Wesley. "Just wanna make sure it's the urn of Osiris. Not something else."
"It's the right one." Willow said.
"We ready?" Angel asked.
"Yes."
"Good. Let's go."
Willow, Xander, Angel, Fred, Gunn and Wesley made their way through the cemetary to Cordelia's grave.
"This feels wrong." Fred said as Xander, Angel, Gunn and Wesley began to dig up Cordelia's grave.
"That's because it is wrong." Angel said, seemingly unmoved by his actions and the dirt flying through the air. "But so was what happened to here. We're just balancing things out. Righting the wrong."
"Leave the coffin in the ground." Willow instructed. They nodded. "Open it." Angel took a deep breath as he stared at the corpse of his love. Her body had just began to decompose, her features recognizable, but pale and ashen. Angel felt his stomach churn from nausea, but he pushed that feeling down.
"Angel..." the vampire turned to face Fred as she laid a comforting hard on his shoulder. He covered it with his, thanking her for her support without words.
"We should start. It's almost midnight." Angel, Weslesy, Fred and Willow stood in a semi-circle beside Cordelia's grave. Willow stood at the foot of her grave.
All four knelt, holding lit candles, except Willow who held the Urn of Osiris. Willow produces a small jar containing a dark red, thick liquid and pored it into the urn.
"Osiris, keeper of the gate, master of all fate, hear us." Willow dipped her finger into the urn, marking her forehead and both cheeks with what they now saw to be blood. "Before time, and after. Before knowing and nothing." She poured the remaining contents of the urn on the earth. "Accept our offering. Know our prayer." Willow suddenly jerked backward, panting, her arms shooting out at her sides. Deep, ugly gashes appeared on her arms.
"Willow!" Fred yelled. Xander watched, wincing as he recalled when Willow originally did the spell to ressurect Buffy and what the red head had gone through.
"She's being tested." Xander muttered. "It will pass."
"Osiris! Here lied the seer, a warrior, a champion for The Powers That Be. Let her cross over!" Willow winced in pain. Blood ran from the cuts on her arms, and round shapes began to move under her skin. A moan of pain escaped her lips as the round things moved up her arms, over her chest, toward her neck.
"We should stop-" Xander cut Fred off.
"She's strong. I know she can handle it."
"I don't know."
"Leave her!" Angel barked. "If we break the cycle, it's over."
"Osiris! Let her cross over! Aah..." Willow started to choke, the round bulges moved up her neck. Willow leaned forward, putting her hands on the ground, gagging. A snake head appeared in her open mouth. The snake slithered out of her mouth and on to the ground, her fingers clutching the grass.
A tube of reddish-orange light encased Willow. She continued to pant as the spell took affect. Her head fell backwards, eyes open and black.
The orange mist swirled around Cordelia's body. As the mist moved around her body, the skin and hair brightened and repaired themselves, resolving into Cordelia, wide-eyed and gasping. She looked around, panting, an expression of fear on her face.
Willow's eyes returned to their normal color. Her head fell forward, her body slumping. Xander went to her side, helping her stand as Angel made his way to the open grave, his heart in his throat. He jumped when he saw her hands grip the edge of the dirt.
"Cordy." Angel stared for a moment, unable to believe the sight of the living Cordelia. "Cordelia." Angel picked her up and hugged her to him.
Cordelia looked at Angel, then to her grave, staring at her tombstone in confusion through blurry vision. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what happened.
"Oh God." Cordelia's voice was barely a whisper. Angel held her at arms length and looked at her, searching for any sign of the Cordelia he knew.
"Cordy." She turned to him, squinting, his voice muffled to her ears. She blinked, looking at him with confusion in her eyes. "Baby, it's okay. You're back."
"Cordelia." Wesley spoke gently. "Do you know who I am?" She gave no indication that she did. The rest of the group slowly approached. Cordelia's body tensed. She tried to push herself away from Angel, but the vampire wasn't having any part of that. She was frightened, and felt so lost. It showed on her face.
"Cordy." Angel spoke soothingly, turning her face to his. He stared into her eyes. Cordelia blinked. Everything was becoming clearer. Her eyes focused in on the brown eyes staring into hers, and the voice speaking to her no longer sounded muffled. "Cordy, do you know who I am?"
"I..." Her voice was rough, barely audible.
"It's me Cordy." She continued to look at the handsome man in front of her. His hand caressed her cheek softly. She felt a sense of familiarity and safety as he touched her. "It's Angel."
"Angel?" Her voice was questioning. Memories started coming back to her.
"That's right baby. Angel. I'm right here." Her eyes met his again and he saw clarity in the hazel orbs.
"Oh my God. Angel." He smiled as he realized she recognized him. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and he returned the embrace.
"I thought I'd never hold you again." He whispered. Her hands moved to his face, on either cheek.
"I never though I'd get to kiss you again." He moved his head down and captured her lips. The kiss conveying the love neither thought they'd be able to express again. Their lips parted and she looked up at him and smiled. "Let's go home."
[B]Chapter Eight[/B]
Angel and Cordelia followed their friends inside, walking hand in hand. Things still felt strange to Cordelia. Her memory was fuzzy and her head was still spinning.
"We should go out," Gunn said. " Celebrate Cordelia's...return," he finished with a small smile. She returned it.
"Thanks Gunn, but honestly, I'm not really up to it right now. Everything feels weird right now," seeing their disheartened looks, "Oh no, guys, I'm glad to be back. I really am. I just need to readjust. I'm going to go take a hot bath and relax. Besides, Angel and I have some things we need to discuss." She moved toward his room.
"Do you think she is okay?" Fred asked quietly.
"I think she is. She just needs some time." Angel said, then made his way to his room as well.
When Angel entered the room, the scent filled his nostrils. He took a seat on his bed, hands resting on his knees. He wasn't sure if Cordelia really was all right or not, he just hoped she was. Nor did he know what to say to her, or what she wanted to talk to him about.
"Angel."
"Yes Cordy?"
"Do me a favor?" Her voice was sounding better, more like the spirited Cordelia he knew.
"Anything."
"Bring me a pair of your boxers and a t-shirt, please?" He smirked and shook his head. Maybe she was doing okay.
"No problem Cordy." He brought the clothing to the arm sticking out of the door.
"Thanks Angel." The vampire went to his kitchen. He watched the water begin to boil and searched for tea bags, needing to keep himself busy while he waited for her.
The soft creek of the door opening drew Angel's attention to the bathroom. Cordelia emerged, wearing Angel's black silk boxers and an oversized white t-shirt, damp hair falling down her back and shoulders.
"Hey," he said, moving to her and embracing her. She hugged him back, enjoying the comfort his arms provided.
"Hey."
"Just, um, sit down and get comfortable. I'm making us some tea." She smiled softly. Angel was attempting to be domestic for her. Cordelia sat, indian style, in the middle of Angel's bed. He took a seat beside her, handing her the mug.
The two sat for several minutes, enjoying each other's presence, neither knowing what to say. They finished their cups and sat there. Finally, Angel turned to Cordelia.
"Are you all right?" She faced him, blinking a few times. "Cordy?"
"I'm okay Angel," she spoke softly. "It's just a little odd. How long have I bee gone?"
"A little over a month."
"It felt longer." He took her hand in his.
"It always does."
"But I wasn't in hell."
"I know." There was no way someone like Cordelia would be sent to hell.
"I was some where else. It was a good place Angel, peaceful." Angel's heart broke. [I]I shouldn't have brought her back[/I]. He hid his pain when she looked at him. She gave his hand a squeeze.
"I know what you're thinking Angel, and don't. I'm glad to be back. I'm okay. No deep depression, no resentment of my friends, no unexplainable urges to sleep with vampires." He raised an eyebrow. "Well, not peroxide blonde ones, anyway."
"Good to know."
"I wasn't ready to go Angel." She looked at him, eyes locked as they spoke. "I iddn't die naturally, I didn't sacrifice myself to save the world in a battle at your side, I was murdered. I went before my time. Your brought me back. I have another chance and I'm glad. Now I can keep you on your path."
"I was lost without you Cordelia. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't figure it out. When I found out you were killed, I didn't knoe what to do. Then, when I found out who..." Cordelia's eyes widened. "I lost it."
"Angel, what did you do." He lowered his head, "Angel."
"When I found out Buffy took you away from me, I wanted to kill her Cordelia. I almost did. I had her by the neck and was a second away from returning the favor, but I didn't. I knew you wouldn't want me to, even after what she did. The guys weren't going to let me either. They stopped me."
"Angel, I'm relieved."
"Relieved?"
"Yes. I was afraid."
"Of what, baby?" he caressed her cheek.
"You working for Wolfram & Hart. You walk a tight line between good and evil Angel. I was afraid running this place would blur that line and you would start doing things that would compromise your soul."
"That won't happen."
"I know. I won't let it. I was just worried this place would have an evil influence on you."
"Cordelia, I want you to know that everything I did, everything I do, is all me, Angel. Not because Wolfram & Hart, not because I'm Angelus, I won't let them influence me. I promise you, I'm in complete control of my actions, okay?"
"Okay Angel." She said, relieved.
Buffy walked out of the building after meeting with the council. her head was spinning. Angel and Willow had brought Cordelia back to life. Now, the council wanted her to help destroy all three of them. Buffy had refused, left the building, and no one attempted to stop her.
As she walked, she didn't notice the vampire trailing her, until her came up behind her, grabbed her and made her face him.
"Spike! What the hell?"
"What the hell are you doing in LA Buffy?"
"I had a meeting with the New Council. Had an offer to turn down."
"Well, that's great, love. But if Angel sees you, you won't be alive to refuse anything."
"Spike, don't be ridiculous."
"Do you not remember your near death experience? Because it wasn't that long ago Slayer."
"Spike, Angel was upset. He had every reason to be. Now, Cordelia's back. They're happy together. Angel is took busy enjoying being with her to even think about me." A flash of sadness passed in her eyes as she spoke the last sentence. Spike saw and felt sorry for her.
"I hope your right Buffy. But if I know Angel, and I do, he doesn't forgive, and he sure as hell doesn't forget. If I were you, I'd get out of LA. Now." Spike said, then dissappeared.
"Nice to see you too Spike." Buffy said to no one, walking towards the cemetary.
She walked for a while, hoping to come across a vampire or two to help her clear her head.
"Stupid Spike," she mumbled to herself, searching. "He has no idea what he's talking about. Angel was hurting. Now, Cordelia's back and everything is fine, right?" [I]Right[/I]. Her mind answered back.
The sound of rustling in the bushes had Buffy turning around, stake in hand. She sighed as she saw the man standing there. She wanted something to hit.
Her brow furrowed. Why was this guy here? She turned again to ask him, when she noticed three other men. They were all dressed alike. The four men moved in a circle, surrounding Buffy. She didn't like this. She felt nervous and got ready to go into slayer mode.
"Who the hell are you?" she more demanded than asked.
"Message from Angel." The four said in unison.
"Oh sh-"
A soft sigh of pleasure escaped Cordelia's lips as Angel continued to thrust slowly inside her. Their eyes were glued to one another's as they moved together, both on their sides, facing each other.
Angel grabbed Cordelia's leg, pulling it from his lower thigh to his waist, altering their position. Cordelia moaned as he brought her closer to his body. He kissed her passionately as he tunneled deeper into her center at a slow, rhythmic pace.
Angel let out a soft groan as he moved, the sensation of his of his hardness driven so deep inside her mind numbing. Cordelia was at the precipice, teetering as he thrust. Her leg tightened around him as she felt the hot deluge begin, drenching her as she lept into the abyss of pleasure, soaring.
Her nails bit into his skin as her inner walls tightened around him and pulled at him. She felt every twitch, throb and spurt of him inside her. The two moaned and shook collectively, pasted together, clinging as the last shuddering ripples ebbed.
Cordelia felt Angel's hardness waning as he softly kissed her. He pulled away and fell onto his back, panting. She curled tight to him, his arm around her shoulders, her head on his chest, their sweat mingling as he moved his head down, circling the top of her nose with his, claiming her fingers brushed his small nipples and she yawned softly, sated beyond her wildest fantasy.
As they were about to fall asleep, the loud, annoying ring of the phone echoed through the room. Angel growled in frustration.
"I hate that phone." He looked at Cordelia. "Should I answer that?" he asked. He and Cordelia didn't have a good history with telepones.
"I'm not goin' anywhere baby," she assured him. He got up and answered the phone. Cordelia looked him up and down, appreciating the view, feeling more alive then she ever had.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"Sir. It's done."
"All right," he hung up the phone and walked back to his bed, crawling under the sheets with Cordelia. He laid on his back again, arm around her, her head on his chest.
"Who was it?"
"No one. Just a cancelled meeting," she smiled.
"Good. More us time," he returned her smile, reached down and kissed her again.
"I love you Cordy."
"Love you too Angel." she snuggle deeper into his embrace, gave a deep sigh of content, and fell asleep in his arms. Angel stroked his new, true love's hair, staring at the ceiling, knowing everything that had happened tonight, and having no regrets about any of it.
[I]Buffy's taken care of[/I], he thought. [/I]Next, the council[/I]. He placed a loving kiss to Cordelia's forehead, then joined her in her peaceful slumber.
*For I can love lightly and I can love strong. And I can keep the old love 'til the new love comes along. I only said I loved you for to give your heart ease. And when you're not with me, I'll love whom I please.*
END