Time; how important is it really to us? Do we even realize just how special each second is? One minute your life is the way it's supposed to be, like the love of your life is finally confessing his love to you, or your child has put their past dealings with you behind them and decided to come back home. But what if it doesn't happen? What if it's given only to be taken away? Your love confesses his love to you, but in only a second you find it's meant for someone else, or your child is on their way back home to you, only to suddenly die in a terrible car accident. One minute your life can be changed, but the next remains a mystery, a mystery of whether it's your happy or tragic ending.
Here lying in bed staring towards the ceiling, deciding on whether or not she should go out and end this chaos; whether it's the right or wrong thing to do.
She eyed the wooden piece she carved into a stake lying there below her window. Doubts filled her mind over the possibility of using it. Destroying Darla meant two things – one Liam would never be taken, which means Angelus would never rise only to be cursed bringing forth Angel. So in other words, the man pyre she cares so deeply about would cease to exist. Though this was something she was prepared for – she knew from staying and changing Liam's life that it would change the future ahead, it wasn't until Darla came did she truly let it settle in.
The next outcome in destroying Darla means Connor would never be born; Angel would never have had a son. Though the first action would still affect this one, only bringing forth Angel would bring Connor to life. Still she couldn't help but remember how excited he was over being a father, it was the one thing he was most proud of doing in his dark days, and one thing that made him feel close to being human. Destroying Darla would only take those moments away.
But then again what were the outcomes? Angelus rose and tortured so many souls, which tortured Angel for the rest of his years as an en-souled Vampire. And Connor, his one precious gift, a son… only to be taken from him and tortured in a sickly manner and cursed with the hatred towards his father and everyone around him.
Cordelia couldn't bear the thought of it again. "He's suffered enough."
She pulled her blankets off her body and rushed to get ready to end this nightmare before it truly could begin. She knew where Darla would be, she sensed it early on that day in town while she was shopping with Kathy.
"What about this one?"
Excited over her discovery Kathy bounced up and down in a giddy matter while waving the beautiful lace ribbon in front of her.
Cordelia's smile widened over the girls excitement. Kathy has longed to do something alone with her since they had first met, but was always either accompanied by her mother or father or Cordelia was elsewhere with Liam.
It wasn't until today Cordelia offered to take Kathy out shopping for the wedding. Kathy was more than pleased to come with Cordelia and showed just how much she was excited while in the carriage on the way to town. Though it wasn't until they were nearly finished did Cordelia begin to sense a presence.
They were now on their last store searching for ribbons for the gowns at the wedding. There were so many to choose from and Kathy nearly chose a bundle until a few special ones caught her eye. A long; creamy white lace which captured Cordelia's stunning complexion, and Cordelia couldn't agree more.
"I think that's perfect."
It has been quite a long day for the two girls, and Kathy was not one of those people who took things unnoticeable. Even while they headed back to their carriage Cordelia would glance back every now and then, as if someone were following them.
"Cordelia is everything alright?"
It was odd, she could sense the presence of someone following her, some danger similar to the night before at the dance, but what was so odd about this moment was it was only the afternoon.
"Everything's fine Kathy." She smiled to not put any more curiosity on the subject. Frightening Kathy was the last thing she'd ever want to do. "Did you enjoy today?"
"Oh so much, I wish this day would never end."
"Well just because today is over, doesn't mean there won't be more like this one in the future."
With that said Kathy revealed to Cordelia one of her brightest smiles before the carriage set off back to the house.
Later that night once Cordelia was dressed she set off to that same street from early on. She knew the one following her that afternoon was none other than Darla herself, lurking from the shadows, away from the flaming sun. She had made up her mind; she was going to end this once and for all.
Cordelia slowly crept into the alley way behind so many of the stores she and Kathy entered into that very day. On guard and ready for any danger ahead, Cordelia gripped tightly onto the stake she held.
"Here vampy, vampy, vampy. Come to Cordelia." She whispered.
"I smell no fear." A gentle hush came from the shadows up ahead, Cordelia kept her stance and waited for the creature to come out and reveal herself.
"Haul your ass out and we both might sense some jumpy vibes."
"Sharp tongue, if I didn't know any better…" Darla came slowly out from the shadows staring right towards Cordelia with hunger in her eyes. "I'd say you were a slayer."
"In a time I was known as one, but the kind you're referring to – I left that for the chosen one."
Darla walked closer to Cordelia though keeping her distance from arms reach; she began to circle her as if finding a weak spot to take advantage of in order to attack. This was something Cordelia was prepared for, and continued to take her stance while keeping her eyes focused on her enemy.
"Why were you following me today?" It was something needed to be asked before she dusts this creature of darkness.
"I feel you want something; a sense of desire in you that I find quite -- intriguing."
"Pfft. Really."
"Tell me. Is it me you're afraid of or something else?" Darla stopped to face her in front.
"I'm afraid of what you will do."
"And what is that?" she asks humbly tilting her head to the side ever so slightly.
"Take one man's soul only for your own pleasure."
"Mmm," Darla slowly approaches until she stood face to face with Cordelia. "Sounds -- delicious."
Without hesitation Cordelia punches her in the jaw, and aims her stake only to be captured by Darla's hand. Darla's face suddenly forms into her true demon form and smiles towards Cordelia as she sends her flying back towards the ground.
"Missed me."
Darla lunges out towards Cordelia, but she was too quick for her, as Cordelia rolled over to her side and leaped up from the ground. She kicked her in the gut sending Darla back against a wall, before doubling over. Cordelia rushed back towards where she fell, looking for the stake she had, but it was too late, Darla was already back and took a swing at Cordelia.
The two continued on exchanging blows to one another, Cordelia taking more of a beating then Darla was, but still was standing and continued to fight. She spins around and swings, only to be blocked by Darla. She laughs as Cordelia falls to her knees weak and seemingly beaten. Darla spins around and elbows her in the face, knocking her back on the ground, as she coughed out blood.
She continues to laugh as she picked up the stake from the ground while pointing it towards Cordelia.
"That was quite the entertainment. I've never met anyone quite like you, not even a slayer." Cordelia only coughed out more blood as she tried to find the strength to pull herself back up. "I'm curious…" Darla grabbed a hold of Cordelia's neck and slammed her up against the wall ready to take a bite and finish her off for good. "Let's see if you taste like one."
Just before Darla could sink her teeth in, a flashing memory comes back to Cordelia and Angel training, "Do you trust me?" "I do." As if Angel were guiding her himself, Cordelia's arms moved in a way which caught Darla off guard as Cordelia's elbow met her face sending her staggering back. Cordelia jumped down at the sudden moment of separation and spun kicked, forcing Darla to the ground. Quickly grabbing the stake, she then pins Darla to the ground and raises it over her heart.
"Sorry Darla but Angel deserves better than the pain and suffering you brought to him." She stabs only to stop a second before impact as a sharp pain hits her entire body. She falls back holding onto her gut as if it were her only lifeline. Darla sees her chance and lunges towards Cordelia only going straight through her. Cordelia howlers in pain again, and voices not to far hear her screams. Darla looks down as Cordelia would fade in and out before her very eyes. The voices grow loader and Darla seeing the shadows of the men drawing close vanishes into the shadows.
Not a moment after Cordelia's body became visible as she lays unconscious on the ground as three men and a woman comes to her side to help.
Part two will be up shortly. Please don't forget to review for Part one of this chapter. :)