Part 10

Monday morning Cordelia walked through the halls of Sunnydale High like the Queen she was. She talked to her friends, sparing the people she normally riticuled their torture for the day. She felt like she was walking on air. Mainly because she had had the most imcredible yet tiring day of her life yesterday. He really was incredible. She went to all her classes, a song in her heart, sparkling smile glorifying her face. That was, until lunch time when the biggest annoyance of her life walked up to her table where she was seated with her friends.

"Ew. Cord. Look who's coming over here."

"Cordelia. I need to talk to you." Buffy said in all seriousness, causing Cordelis to roll her eyes and groan in annoyance

"Oh great. Just what I need. A private time with Miss I-Have-No-Social-Skills-So-I-Have-To-Bother-Cordelia. I'll be back in a bit girls. This shouldn't take long." Her friends laughed and Cordelia followed Buffy to a near by table. "All right. What do you want now?"

"Why'd you do it Cordelia?"

"What?"

"Why'd you have to take Angel from me?"

"I didn't take Angel from you Buffy."

"Bull shit. Xander and Willow saw you two together."

"Big deal. Doesn't mean I took him."

"No. He just bought you clothes for no reason, right?"

"Okay, I don't know who informed you that you are better than me, but it looks like I'm going to have to take you down a couple knotches to where you belong. One: I didn't steal Angel from you. You broke up with him. He and I were friends and he took an interest. Like we didn't see that coming. Two: Do not send your loser friends to look after us. What we do is none of your buisness and none of theirs. Three: Angel can buy me what ever the hell he wants. I'm not forcing him, he offers."

"And you accept."

"He insists."

"Right. Because you're really going to turn down something someone gives you, huh?"

"Buffy. You don't know me okay? You don't know what I'm like. You go on what you hear and see, so don't even come off like you know who I am because you have no idea who I am or what I'm capable of."

"I'm not afraid of you Cordelia."

"You know what Buffy? You walk around school thinking you're all bad just because you happen to be the Slayer. I got news for you, I'm not afraid of you either. But the thing is, you should be afraid of me. Because, maybe, yeah, you can kick my ass. But bruises heal Buffy. Public humiliation doesn't, or so you probably know. And I do have power over you Buffy. I could make your high school years a living hell. You think I am now, I don't think so. I could make you so miserable you go home crying every night to your mom because the big mean cheerleader turned the whole school against you. I've done it before, I won't mind doing it again. I don't have to worry about my conscious. So unless you really want your life to be horrible and you want to lose everything, I suggest you back the fuck off. Stay away from me and stay away from Angel. He's mine now. Got it?" Buffy stared at her, shocked. She went to walk, then turned around, ready to throw one last blow. "And for your information Buffy, what Angel bought me? He convinced me to let him buy. It was lingerie. Red lingerie. His favorite color. But, see, it wasn't for me Buffy. He wanted it on me, so he could see it, then take it off of me." With a flip of her hair, she turned around and walked back to her group.

"What was that about Cor?"

"Nothing. Just had to remind the freak of where she stands. Can you believe her? Trying to get me to back off of my own boyfriend. Just cause she used to be hers." She looked at her friends and covered her mouth. "Oops."

"You have a boyfriend and didn't tell me?" Aura cried.

"Forget her! What about me? I'm your best friend here Cor!"

"I know Harm. It's just, we're, um, taking it slow social wise. I really like this guy. I wasn't ready to share that with everyone yet. I want him to myself for a while."

"Well, you're the boss Cor. Even though I don't think you're right."

"That's right. I am the Queen and you so know that Harm. And I'd appreciate it if people didn't question what I say, got it?"

"Yeah." The bell rang.

"All right. I got class. I'll see you guys tomorrow." She got up and left them. She was the Queen and everyone knew it. Including Miss Buffy Summers. Cordelia smiled. She felt bad, she didn't really want to come down on Buffy that hard, but she asked for it. Who did she think she was? Angel was hers now, not Buffy's. She made that known this afternoon.

***

Cordelia walked around Angel's apartment in a pair of his boxers and a tank top. She plugged in her radio and put in a cd, sprawling out on the floor. She had so much homework and she really didn't want to do it. She walked over to his fridge, surprised to find actual food in there.

"I love seeing you in my clothes, you know that?"

"Almost as much as you like seeing them off?"

"Almost." He said with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek, resting his neck on her shoulder as she stared into the fridge. "I take it your hungry?"

"Starving. I didn't expect you to actually have food either. But I want junk food." He opened the freezer and pulled out a pint of ice cream. She smiled and snatched it, getting a spoon out of the drawer. She took a seat on the couch and he joined her. "Perfect. You bought ice cream for me?"

"No. I bought ice cream for me a while back. I just like ice cream." She smiled brightly, feeding him a spoonful. He noticed various books scattered about. "I'm never having a clean living room again, am I?"

"Nope." The door rang and she hopped up, taking the ice cream with her. "That's gotta be the delivery guy."

"Delivery guy?"

"Yup. Ordered Chinese food." She opened the door and greeted the teenager on the other end and payed him. She walked back to Angel and sat down, placing the cartons on the counter.

"You're the take-out queen, you know that"

"Yup. Want some?"

"Nah. I'm going to go get my, um, dinner form the fridge."

"Okay. Come back in here though. I need a vamp pillow."

"Right." He came back in and sat down and Cordelia layed down on him, head in his lap. The action made Angel a little nevous, but he didn't move away. Just watched her eating chow mein like they were worms or something as he sat there, drinking his dinner. When she finished, she looked up at him.

"Let's go for a walk."

"You trying to get out of doing your homework?"

"Maybe. For real though. It's a really nice night. I want to go through a walk through the park. Yeah?"

"Anything you want." She got up and grabbed his jacket, wrapping it around her.

"I might as well wear the jacket, I'm wearing your other clothes."

"It looks great on you."

"Pfft. Duh Angel. I make everything look good." He laughed and opened the door for her, not bother ing to lock it. He never did anyway. It was a perfect night. A slight breeze, but it wasn't cold. She laced her fingers with his as they walked through the dark park. The moon was bright and full, casting a glow over them. The stars were bright and there were no clouds anywhere. She smiled mischeviously and pulled him with her. Her back was pressed against a tree, his weight pushing her in deeper. "Kiss me." He didn't have to be told twice. He pressed his lips to hers, sucking on her bottom lips softly.

"You wanted to leave why?" He asked her, never tearing his lips from hers.

"Because. We're coming up from air." She said, pulling away from his hold.

"I don't need air." She smiled.

"I know. But I do. I also need you to-" She was cut off as a sword cut through Angel and was yanked out. He grabbed his stomach and turned to find a vampire with crooked smiling at him.

"Spike said hey." Angel threw his wrist out, stake thrusting out and hitting the shocked blood sucker right in the heart. Angel leaned up against the tree, clutching his chest, gasping for unneeded air from the intense pain. "Angel. What do you...what do I do?" She asked, terrified. He reached his hand out to her and she came to him, helping him balance.

"We, we need to go...somewhere."

"Giles! His house is really close to here. He'll no what to do." She said, trying to convince herself the Watcher would know wht to do. He wrapped his arm around her, trying not to put all his weight on her. They made their way through an alley that Angel swore was a short cut. She banged furiously on the door. He opened it and was shocked to see Cordelia with a man who seemed to be unconscious.

"Cordelia, what on earth?"

"Giles, help me, please. I, can't carry him, he's too heavy." He went to help her bring him to the couch and was surprised to see it was Angel. Startled, he stared at the vampire.

"What, what happened?"

"I don't know. We were taking a walk and some vampire ran him through with a sword." She went to Angel, unbuttoning the shirt with incredible ease. It made Giles wonder, but he didn't say anything. His eyes widened when he saw he giant wound in the middle of his chest. Giles squatted before the vampire, who hissed in pain when Cordelia ran a hand over his chest. "Giles, shouldn't this be closing up by now? I mean, I know he's not super man, but he does have that healing power doesn't he?"

"Yes, I...I wonder."

"What?"

"If it's a normal sword, it would be closing up by now. But if it was silver, it'll take longer."

"So he'll be okay." Giles looked at the amount of blood Angel was losing and frowned.

"He shouldn't be losing this much blood Cordelia." There was another knock on his door. "Hold on, I'll be back right now." He opened the door, moving as Xander, Willow and Buffy rushed in.

"Hey watcher man." Xander said, none of them noticing Cordelia and Angel yet. "What's going on? You should've seen Buffy kicking the hell out of these demons. Tough as they were. She killed one with a pen Giles!" Willow noticed the serious look on the Watcher's face.

"Giles, what's wrong? Something's going on." He nodded his head towards the couch, bringing all their attention to the upset young woman in the living room.

"What the hell is she doing here?" She went over to Cordelia and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the vampire on the couch. "What, what happened?" Giles looked at the group and started to explain.

"Angel's been stabbed. I thought it was a silver sword, because it would take longer for him to heal. But because of how much blood he's lost, I have reasons to believe it was enchanted."

"Which means..." Cordelia asked. Willow stepped in.

"If it was enchanted, the wound may never heal. It may, it may kill him." Cordelia held her hand to her mouth, trying not to cry or scream. She shook her head repeatedly, she couldn't believe it. Not Angel. Not now.

"Giles? Is there a way to help him?"

"I don't know. We can't tell. The vampire who stabbed him-"

"He wrist-staked the guy."

"Then we don't know anything."

"Sp-ke." They turned to Angel, who was struggling to speak. Cordelia grabbed his hand and put a hand to his chest.

"Baby, you're burning up." She turned to the Scoobies. "Willow. Can you get me something will some water in it, and a washcloth, please?"

"Uh, sure thing." She brought a pan full of cold water to Cordelia, who dabbed Angel's forehead with the damp towel. He was shaking, but his body was burning up.

"What did you say Angel?" He let out a growl of pain when Cordelia ran the cloth over his gash. "Shhhh, it's okay."

"Spike."

"What about him?"

"The vampire...said, Spike says hey. He worked...for...Spike." She ran her hand over his cheek. He held her hand and tried to smile.

"It hurts."

"Like a bitch."

"Shh. It'll be all right." He looked at her, saying everything in one look. She shook her head and he nodded his. "You're going to be fine. Giles is going to help you get better and everything will be perfect. Then we'll go and get some ice cream." He smiled saddly at her and nodded. Then winced in incredible pain. Cordelia's face hardened and she turned to Giles.

"The vampire worked for Spike. Which..." She looked at Angel, reality dawning on her. "Oh my God. That undead, peroxide haired bastard. I should of, who else could it have been?"

"Cordelia. You're not making any sense."

"That's different than any other day how?" Xander asked Giles, preparing himself for the insult that was sure to be coming. Feeling almost guilty when it didn't.

"Okay. The other night...you were there Buffy. That night you went and talked to Angel. Gave him the third degree and all that." Seeing Buffy's angry glare. "Yeah. So, anyway, he was supposed to meet me at the game. But he didn't. So, I came out and saw him and he was all beaten and bloody. He still has some of the bruises."

"I don't see any." Buffy said, glanceing over Angel's body.

"You aren't going to either." Buffy and Cordelia seemed to scowl at each other for hours. Cordelia shook her head. "I am so not going to argue with you about this right now. You want to yell at me about something? Fine. But right now, I have to worry about Angel."

"This never would have happened to him if he was with me." Buffy spat, eyes widening when she saw the deadly look in the brunette's eyes as she charged her. She was stopped when Angel's hand wrapped around her wrist. He was losing his strength rapidly and it terrified her. She kept her resolve, holding his hand tightly, and spat orders at the Scoobies.

"Okay. I know you guys aren't really fond of me, and I never really cared, but this isn't for me. We need to find out what was up with that sword so we can undo whatever it is. Buffy, you can do that." She was about to argue when she saw Giles look at her. Crossing her arms, she agreed. "All right. Xander and Willow, I know this might gross you out, but I need you to go to the butcher's and bring some blood here." Xander made a gagging sound and was elbowed hard in the chest

"No problem Cordelia." Willow said. There was something new about the cheerleader that was tugging at Willow. She wanted to get to know this new version of Cordelia Chase. But right now wasn't the time. "Come on Xander."

"I don't wan-" She tugged at his arm and pulled him outside.

"Buffy. Get any information you can." Giles told her. "Cordelia, you should go with her."

"Shouldn't I stay here with Angel? I don't want to leave him Giles." The Watcher looked at the vampire who seemed to be growing paler by the moment.

"I think you should go." The room echoed with a loud growl. Cordelia sat down next to her lover, dipping the small towel in the water and running it over his face. She ran her hand over him and saw his eyes flashing with gold. He was struggling just to keep his human face on. She moved closer to him.

"Let go." He looked at her and she just held him. "I love you." She mouthed.

"I love you too." It as a whisper.

"If it hurts, let go."

"I can't."

"Angel. Please. If it helps, do it." Buffy raised an eyebrow at their whispered conversation, turning her head when she saw Angel's hand bring Cordelia down for a kiss. Giles shook his head. He had a hunch something was going on between the two of them, but hadn't been able to put his finger on it. When Angel released Cordelia, he had let the change wash over him. She kissed his brow softly.

"You should go."

"I can't leave you."

"I'll be fine. Rupert and I...we'll um, we'll kick back. Have some...drinks." She whiped a stray tear from her eye and nodded.

"We'll be back as soon as we can." He waved his hand, telling her to go.

"Uh, Giles. How are we supposed to find Spike?"

"Well, I imagine, um, I don't really know."

"Ford."

"What?"

"When, when him and I got into it. He accidentally let out where he found Spike. I know where we're going."

"Great. Let's go." Buffy side glanced at Cordelia then left, all but pwer walking, daring Cordelia to keep up with her.

***

Cordelia walked behind Buffy, not wanting to get into it with her right now. Her mind was on other things. What if psycho slayer is right? If Angel would have been with her tonight, he would have been more alert. They would have sensed the monster and killed it before it even came near Angel. She wasn't even aware that Buffy had slowed down and was walking right behind her, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. Cordelia ran her hands over her face, trying not to cry and failing miserabley. It startled the blonde next to her, who grabbed her by the fore arm and snapped her out of her thoughts.

"What's your problem? We're kind of on a time limit here." Cordelia nodded slowly and continued walking. "Nah-ah. You aren't getting off that easily. What's wrong with you? You were...crying."

"Well, yeah. I do that sometimes. Deespite popular belief, I'm not emotionless. I mean, my boyfriend's lying on a couch, bleeding to death. A vampire bleeding to death! That's not supposed to happen!"

"You really care about him, don't you?"

"Duh! Newsflash Buffy! I've been in love with Angel since the first time I saw him. But he was fixated on you for some reason. I was just there, his friend. I'd deal with that. Then you pissed him off, well, more like hurt him actually with the lack of trust thing, then broke up with him. I was rebound girl." Buffy frowned, eyes on the sidewalk.

"You're not rebound girl Cordelia."

"I know that now. But it was hard to believe that at first. A guy wouldn't say he loves with you and actually stay with you if he doesn't mean it. Angel wouldn't any way.

"He's really something."

"I know. And not just because of the whole he's a vampire with a soul thing. He cares about people. Really cares. He can look at you and make you feel like you're the only person in the entire world."

"I know. Those eyes."

"Mmm-hmmm. They tell you everything. The sparkle when he laughs or smiles. When he's mad or brooding, they turn a darker brown, almost black."

"You got all that out of his eyes huh?"

"Yeah. Didn't you?" She didn't say anything, just shook his head. "He's not THAT much of a mystery Buffy."

"He never talked to me. Never let me in. How can I figure him out?"

"That's not the way I heard it."

"What do you know?"

"Just what he told me."

"Which was what exactly? You two were so close. You understand him sooo much."

"He told me how he didn't feel right with you. Didn't feel like he could be himself around you. That's why he kept things from you Buffy. Not to hurt you or because he didn't care about you. He was afraid of what you would think of him. He didn't want to lose you. You didn't accept who he is, what he is. You wanted to pretend he was something he was human, a normal guy. He wanted to give you that so bad and he couldn't. You made him feel worthless because he couldn't give you what you wanted. He came to me because I was there for him. I accepted who and what he was. He needed more than a girlfriend who constantly gave him the third degree. He needed a friend. Someone he could talk to without being judged."

"And that's you? You're the most judgemental person on the planet!"

"Me? Pffft! You're the slayer, the freaking slayer! You're not normal Buffy! Yet, you can't handle what Angel is. I think you just wanted to pretend it wasn't there. That the demon is always there."

"What do you know about demons? Except how to spread your legs for one!"

"Like you didn't want to do the same. You were thinking about it. I could see it in your eyes."

"Yeah. But you're the expert at it."

"I'd have to say the same thing." They turned to see Spike, sitting on a high grave stone. He jumped off and walked towards them slowly as Buffy searched for the stake she usually had tucked in the back of her jeans. It wasn't there. "You should of heard it slayer. All that moaning and screaming and, 'Oh Angel, oh my God. I love you.' And that was nothing. You should of heard the big lug. Bet you loved it, didn't you cheerleader? The pride in knowing that you pleased your man. Hearing him say he loved you in return. But what now? He's all dying and you want to save him? Good on you chit. I know that's gotta be hard on you. Watching him sit there, blood seeping through his to help him, but you can't. You just have to sit there and watch him die."

"Stop it." She cried, struggling not to break.

"Awww. I'm sorry. Really. I hate hurting pretty brunettes."

"How about blondes?" He turned to Buffy, vampiric face slipping on.

"Never really my cup of tea. Good for a couple rounds I guess."

"Then let's go." Spike charged and Buffy saw it in his eyes. Wondering in a second why she couldn't read Angel like that before he lunged. She stepped to the left, so he charged her right. Buffy brought her right arm into the air, bringing it down as he stumbled past her, thrown off balance and regaining it quickly. Her elbow slammed into the back of Spike's head, driving him to the ground. She stepped back into him and brought her knee up into his chin. He fell back, slightly dazed. The blows had impact, but he came back for more. His fists found Buffy's solar plexus, landing blow after punishing blow. She blocked with both hands, but he did have vampire speed after all. She closed in on Spike, trying to grab one of his fists. When she was close, she drove her head into his face. She felt cartilage tear and Spike reeled back nose slightly bleeding.

"Well done slayer. Almost as fiesty as the other two I killed. They put up a little more fight though." Buffy followed, pressing her slight advantage. She landed a couple jabs against his chin then a right hook. He fell back and Buffy grabbed him, pressing him hard against the wall's of the crypt.

"The sword Spike! What was with the sword?"

"Like you don't already bloody know." He said, chuckling.

"Fine! What did you do to it?"

"I didn't do a damn thing."

"Oh, what? It made it's self enchanted and found it's own way through Angel's stomach?" His chuckling turned to a choked up laugh.

"You want to be the big hero. Get the fame, the glory. Try and win your lap dog back. Figure if you save him, he'll fall madly in love with you again."

"You know, I'm getting really tired of this game. You talk, I get nothing. Maybe I'll start with the hitting again."

"You can't kill me. You need me."

"No. But I can bruise you a whole lot."

"I'm not the one who did it love."

"Then who did?"

"Good question." She twisted his arm back as far as she could without breaking it. "I'm a vampire. What do you expect? Me to start crying because you break a couple bones?"

"You don't tell us, we'll go after Dru." Cordy said from her spot by Buffy.

"You go near her and I'll-"

"Then tell us. Because if I lose Angel, I'm going to do to her what you did to him. Except she'll have it a lot worse. Then you can sit there and watch the person you care about, the person you love going through all that pain. You can know what it's like. Because you may be a vampire, but I can be truely evil." Spike growled, letting his face change back to it's human form.

"Fine. The guy's name is Richard. Down by Willie's. He don't seem like much but he's good at what he does."

"Is there a cure?" Buffy growled.

"You'll have to find out." Cordelia grabbed him by his duster's collar and brought her face down to his. Thankful when Buffy didn't let him go.

"If he doesn't know one, we're coming back after you Spike. You better be telling us everything. For your girlfriend's sake." Buffy let him go and they walked away. She wouldn't say it, but she was slightly impressed with Cordelia. But only slightly.

They walked inside the small shop. It was dark and cold. Someone didn't want company. They walked through cautiously. It was creepy and it made Cordy's skin crawl. She wrapped Angel's duster tighter around herself. What it lacked in warmth, it provided in comfort, which was even better. She could smell the slightest remnant of his cologne on the leather. The sound of heavy breathing sounded throughout the room. This guy was here and he was asleep. Buffy walked to the non-moving figure and Cordelia went before her.

"I'll take care of this."

"I don't think so. Why should you-"

"You catch more flies with honey Buffy. Even though, ewwwww to the fly thing." She shook the guy's arm softly and he woke up with a start.

"Who, who are you? What are you doing in my store?"

"Calm down. We're not here to hurt you."

"Get out before I call the police."

"Just settle down okay? I just need your help."

"My help?"

"Yes. A vampire I know came to you. He needed some help in the enchanted sword department. Normal height, slicked back radioactive colored hair, likes leather a lot. You might know him as Spike."

"Yeah. I knwo who you're talking about."

"Okay. Well, the vampire who got ran through the gut with your sword, is my boyfriend."

"I don't know the people. I just do what I'm asked."

"Good. So if I ask you to help him, you will?"

"I don't think there's-"

"Don't give me that bull shit. Peroxide head already told us you could find a way."

"I don't know of any."

"Then make one. Because see that girl behind me? She's the violent. She likes to hit people. So, unlese you want a serious ass kicking, I suggest you get to work and find us a cure." He got up and rubbed the sleep from him eyes. With one last work, he got to work, one last thought on his mind.

"You're the girlfriend and she's the ex, right?"

"Just work." Cordy bit.

"Sorreee." He said before continuing his work. Cordy smiled a soft, quick smile. They were going to help Angel. It would be find. The smile disappeared. What if they were too late?

"Hurry. Please." He turned to her, frowned and nodded.