He's Fast, She's Furious
zTiamaTz
A/N: This, and the next chapter are to tie up loose ends before moving forward.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
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~~Cordelia POV~~
A box of tissues came floating over to me as I sat on the couch crying. I knew how much it hurt Xander after what happened between us in high school. I had treated him like complete crap, and he'd never tried to say I was wrong for the way I felt.
Now, like he said, I had to figure things out. What he, and his friends did was dangerous, he didn't quibble when it came to that fact. He obviously wanted me around, but he wanted to make sure it was my decision.
I appreciated what he was trying to do, but it didn't make it hurt any less. After being tossed aside by Angel for that skanky ho, the rejection, even as mild as it was, just made me finally break down.
I was picturing a nice, long bubble bath, followed by comfy PJ's and vanilla bean ice cream. Maybe even a Julia Roberts movie to top it off. After dabbing the last of my tears, I was ready to head to the bathroom, when the phone rang.
Before I could even stand up, the phone was already coming out to me. I smiled at that, it was nice to see at least one man stuck around. "Thank you Dennis." Taking the phone, I saw it was Wesley.
I found out he and Gunn wanted to meet up at Caritas, he even said he'd pick me up. It was better then moping around the house, and having to exercise all of that ice cream off. Heading to the bathroom, I decided to just grab a quick shower, and wear something simple for a change.
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We found Gunn at a table cringing, as a trio of vampires badly mangled Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.'. I'd seen a Naga screech out a song better then those three.
"What took you guy's so long?" Gunn questioned, as we took a seat at the table.
"Cordelia needed a ride, and I obliged her." He replied, looking at me pointedly.
Wes had asked where my Jeep was, and about the bandage on my head, but I'd put him off. I didn't see the point of having to tell the story again, once we got here.
"I was in an accident on the way home from the office, my Jeep was totaled." I told them simply.
"Why didn't you call us?"
"It's pretty funny actually, Wes, you remember Xander?"
He nodded. "The young man you dated in high school... I remember he was less then pleased with my presence on the Hellmouth."
"You've changed a lot since then." I assured him, meaning every word. "You pulled the stick out of your butt, and I think you're just as good as Giles now."
Wes gave a small smile. "Thank you Cordelia, I-"
We were interrupted by one of the waiters, come to take our drink orders. They both got beers, and instead of my usual Apple-tini, I ordered a Corona.
I saw them both staring at me. "What, I can't try something different?"
Gunn snorted. "So what were you saying about your ex?"
"He was on a contact list from high school, somehow, they got his LA number and he was who I woke up to."
I didn't want to tell them Alex's actual involvement. Gunn was especially protective of me, since poor Alanna had been vamped. Usually, I'd be annoyed by someone doing that, but not in his case, I just couldn't.
"Why didn't you call us?"
I sighed. "I- we'd all just been fired, you guys had your own problems, besides, he took good care of me."
"He better have." Gunn growled, before dropping a twenty on the platter that had brought our beers.
This was not how I wanted things to go. "Wes..." I looked at him pleadingly.
"Xander Harris is many things," Wes assured him. "But from what I know of the young man, he would sooner slit his own throat, then let Cordelia, or for that matter, any woman, come to harm."
Gunn nodded at that. "Coming from you English, that's good enough for me."
"There's something else you guys need to know."
"You aren't pregnant again, are you?"
"Or suddenly grown a third eye again, right?"
I stared at the two of them, wondering where that had come from. Then I saw the mischievous looks on their faces. "Very funny, I was going to tell you guys that I don't have the visions anymore."
"What?"
"Are you be certain?"
Each had shock on their faces, it wasn't surprising considering how fast everything had happened.
"Ever since I got them from Doyle, there's been this little pain in the back of my head. Not real bad, like after a vision, but still there. Last night, it was just gone, and I suddenly felt free."
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"It is entirely possible, that when Angel fired us, the Powers saw no reason for you to continue on as his seer." Wes theorized.
"Makes sense to me." Gunn added with a shrug.
"Hey kiddos," Lorne greeted, as he walked up to our table. "What's with the sour faces?"
"Angel fired us," I explained to him sullenly. "Then the Powers took away my visions last night."
"Well sugarplum, why don't you sing me a tune, maybe I can help you out?"
I glanced at the stage, where a big, hairy something was mauling the words to 'Hotel California'. There was no way I was going to get up there, and make a fool of myself.
He must have noticed my trepidation. "No need to get on stage, a little ditty at the table will do just fine."
I looked over to Wes and Gunn, both were snickering at my dilemma. "Fine." I belted out 'Row, row, row, your boat' as quickly as possible.
"Whoa,' He said shakily, before taking the empty seat next to me. "Honey, whatever your destiny was, forget about it. You've got a clean slate from here on out."
"What does that mean exactly?" Gunn asked with concern.
"It means," Lorne started, as he waved at his face. "That she's pretty much free to do anything she wants. Whatever was hanging over her head is long gone."
"And what exactly was hanging over my head?"
"Frankly, I have no idea, unless some Power decides to come down and fill you in, I doubt any of us ever will. What I can tell you though, is that he does still love you."
"I know." I whispered. Of course I knew, but it was nice to hear someone confirm it for me.
"I've got to warn you though sweet pea, you're going to have to make a choice when it comes to him, and there could be serious consequences."
I nodded at that. "That's what I'm trying to figure out."
"That's not something I can help you with." He gave me a sad smile.
"Thank you." I told him, before pulling him in for a hug.
"Sorry to cut and run sweet cheeks, but that Horbaak just finished up, and he's going to want to know if his new spawn is going to be a male or not."
"Well, that idea is shot." Gunn muttered.
I looked back to them, wondering what they were talking about. "What idea?"
"Gunn and I were considering opening an agency of our own, with you of course." Wes explained. "Unfortunately, with your lack of visions..." He trailed off.
I rotated my Corona back and forth between my fingers, watching the lime swirl around in the beer. What was the point of me continuing to do this, my main job had always been vision girl. Even Alex had gotten out, and I had been so sure he was going to be a lifer.
"I'm sorry guys. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but I just can't keep this up anymore."
"To be completely honest Cordelia, I'm actually pleased with this turn of events." Wes replied.
I looked up at him in surprise, we had just been talking about opening our own supernatural detective agency, and he was pleased with this?
"How exactly his that a good thing Wes?" Gunn asked, beating me to the punch.
"Simply put, Cordelia receiving those visions never should have happened." He raised a hand before either of us could interrupt. "While Cordelia's efforts here, and in Sunnydale were exemplary, drafting her, as the Powers did was inexcusable."
He was right, I knew he was, but that didn't make me feel any better. After everything we'd been through, it looked like it was all over. "So, what are you guys going to do now?"
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"I've been offered a new position with the Council by an old school chum." Wes explained. "He apparently was sent to Los Angeles in order to determine that I wasn't aiding Angel in any unsavory activities that could threaten the council."
"Those bastards, how could they-"
He shook his head. "My circumstances, and Giles' defection are unheard of. I would have actually been more surprised if they hadn't done such a thing. Also, I've known Edward Kuratowski for most of my life, I consider him trustworthy."
"You sure Wes? A guy sneaking around like that ain't exactly what I'd call friendly."
Wes smiled. "I appreciate your concern, both of you are like family to me. But there comes a time when we must follow our own paths. Edward informed me that there is a young potential slayer, Violet, in New Jersey. The Council has hopes that I can help in training her."
It was about time those idiots in the Council acknowledged all the good things he'd done. Sure he'd made mistakes with Faith, but as far as I was concerned, he'd more then made up for them since then.
"How about you Gunn?"
"Saved a girl from some vamps behind one of those clubs off the Boulevard a couple weeks back. I took her home, and it turns out her dad is some security consultant. He offered me a job since I knew all about the nightlife."
"That's why I saw you in that suit last week, isn't it?" I asked in surprise, I'd had no idea he was doing that now.
"Yeah, I've been working to get some of the guys jobs too." He grinned widely. "Bob is real impressed with the work too, security instances are down forty three percent. And that's just with me there part time."
As I sat back in my chair, seeing the two laugh and joke with each other, I knew I'd miss this. I was happy for both of them, they both deserved it. But now, I really needed to consider what I was going to do.
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Finally sinking down into my bubble bath, I couldn't help but think about what an insane day this had turned out to be. Alex's talk, Gunn and Wes' moving on, the whole thing with the lawyer...
After leaving Caritas, I'd caught a cab to his office. Being early, I ended doing some window shopping, before finally going in to meet him.
Howard Brown, Esquire, was definitely not the type of lawyer Daddy used to play golf with at the Sunnydale country club. His office was located in a strip mall, and his suit was off the rack.
Still, he knew what he was talking about. He didn't do the usual mumbo-jumbo that the average lawyer would bring out to try and impress people. I could see why Dom had suggested him.
Howard had laid it out plainly for me. We could reasonably ask for a hundred thousand dollar settlement. Anything over that, and Sanchez's father was liable to tell us to take him to court.
With his ten percent fee, and after taxes, I'd have roughly seventy five thousand left. That still didn't make me rich again, but at least I wouldn't have to crawl back to Sunnydale.
No matter what I decided in regards to Alex, I could get a new car, and not have to worry about rent for a couple of years. Knowing him, he probably set it up this way.
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Next week, Wes would be leaving, the three of us had decided we'd go out a few times before then. I wasn't sure where exactly, it would be no fun just hitting Caritas all the time, but we'd think of something.
Wes had come a long way from the doormat he'd been in the Dale. Being out from under the Council's thumb had shown him how the real world worked. Now, I pitied any Watcher who tried to underestimate him.
Gunn was the same story, but an entirely different page. Before he'd come to Angel Investigations, he'd never had a steady job in his life. Not by choice of course, just the situation he'd been forced into.
Now, he'd be helping to run security for one of the biggest firms in LA. Considering all the crap he'd been through in his life, I couldn't be prouder of him. And big plus, I'd still get to see him.
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Now onto the very last thing on the list, I wasn't sure what to think. I liked Alex, actually, I probably still loved the big loser. These days though, he was into some bad stuff.
I'd dated enough the 'bad' boys back in high school to know that none of them really were. Watching the nose-tackle of the Razorbacks wet himself, and gibber like a little girl over a single vampire had more then proven that.
The difference here, was that Alex wasn't a braggart about the whole thing. He admitted it was something he simply did to make money. And I had to admit the race we'd been in was fun.
I still had two days to make up my mind, and right now, I just wanted to soak.
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Disclaimer: The song 'Born in the U.S.A.' is owned by Bruce Springsteen, and Columbia Records.
Disclaimer 2: The song "Hotel California' is owned by The Eagles, and Asylum Records.
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A/N 2: The song 'Row, row, row, your boat' is not an owned, intellectual property.
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END