Got Yourself A Gunn

Author's Note: You know the drill. Don't own a thing related to Angel.

Chapter 14- Essence

"We're back!" Cordelia yelled as she and Gunn entered the hotel only to see that it was completely empty. The two looked at each other. It looked as if everyone had just disappeared. If they were out on a case they would have aleast paged them. And what about Fred and Connor? Why weren't they here?

"Okay? Not liking what I'm not hearing. Where the hell are they?" Gunn asked as he stepped forward to investigate. There didn't seem to be any signs of a scuffle so that was good news. Cordelia walked over to her desk to look for a sign of any kind. Grabbing the phone from the desk she dialed Wesley's cell phone number. She'd given up on trying to call Angel on his a long time ago. She waited for a second until she heard him pick up.

"Wyndam-Pryce here."

"Wesley? Where are you guys? This isn't a good time to be playing abandon the hotel without telling anyone." Cordelia practically yelled into the phone. Gunn could only picture English wincing on the other side of the line. But she had good reason.

"Sorry, Connor's out of baby food. We're at the store getting him some. We just needed to get out of the hotel for a while. What did Anne say? Is everything ok?"

'Yeah, she said that it was fine. You guys owe her, majorly. And Gunn has something to tell you when you get back, so hurry up!... Okay, be careful. Bye." Putting the phone back on the hook, Cordelia looked around to see Gunn holding a hand to his head. She so didn't just tell them he had to tell them something. That something meaning his meeting with Rondell.

"Cordelia, why did you do that? I was gonna tell them later." Cordelia snorted at him as she sat down in her chair. She knew good and well that he was trying to delay the inevitable.

"When? The moment Angel catches the same guys who tried to kill him and the rest of us for that matter waiting for his son with open arms. Get real Gunn. I told you earlier, you're going to tell him. And that's what you're going to do."

"You can be a real bitch when you want to be." Gunn muttered as he sat down on the couch in the lobby and looked towards her. He caught Cordelia's glare.

"And you act as if you didn't know this. You can be a stubborn ass!" Sighing deeply she slumped over and put her head in her hands.

"What's wrong baby?" Gunn asked quietly. Cordelia just shook her head.

"Headache. But what else is new? It's not that bad. Really. I just need to take an aspirin." At that she grabbed a water bottle from her drawer and two aspirin. Gunn got up to check on her as she took her medicine. He was still worried about her, even if it wasn't unbearable pain. She looked up at him thankfully.

"I'm okay, you big lug." She told him as he sat on the side of her desk. He just nodded before pulling out his gameboy.

"We have a hotel to ourselves and you're playing with your Gameboy?" She asked incredulously. Gunn chuckled.

"Woman, this is Mario. I'm like on the seventh world now. More importantly, do you really want to have to explain to Angel why we were half-naked making out on his couch." He replied as if that indeed had explained everything. Cordelia looked at him with realization.

"Mmm, I see your point. Well, in that case let me see that thing." She told him as she reached for the Gameboy and snatched it from him. Any other day, Gunn would have bitched about that, but watching Cordelia play a video game voluntarily was a priceless moment. Besides, it showed that she was willing to do things he enjoyed and he thought that was pretty damn cool. Hell, he dreaded the moment when she would ask him to go shopping with her and he knew after this all blew over it was definitely coming. Turning his attention back to Cordy, he looked on as she jumped and fell into a hole on the first try and shrieked.

"Ah, I hate this damn game already!" He could only look on and try not to laugh in her face.

45 minutes later

"What did you need to tell us Gunn?" Angel asked as he pulled out a handkerchief and cleaned off his sword. The words "ironic" and "shit" flashed through Gunn's mind as he prepared to let the other members of the group in on his little secret.

"Me and Cordelia saw my old gang today." Angel remained silent as did Wesley.

"The same men who tried to kill all of us at Lorne's club?" Fred asked trying to get confirmation.

"Yes, they are one in the same Fred." Wesley answered for her before turning to Gunn with an interrogating look on his face.

"I know that you have a history with them Gunn, but you left them on pretty hostile terms. What you do is your business but you took Cordelia with you! You didn't think you'd be putting her in danger!" At that Cordelia silenced his rant with one of her own.

"Shut up Wesley. I went with Gunn on my own accord because he's my boyfriend. If I was going to be safe with anyone it was going to be him. And let him finish because he has more to say. Okay?" Wesley abruptly shut up and continued to listen.

"English, everything you said is true. But today wasn't the first time I saw them. I tried to make peace with Rondell a few weeks back. Found out those Legion guys killed some former members of my crew as well as some of Rondell's. That's why I asked for his help."

"Help with what?" Angel asked, the tone in his voice unrecognizable. Gunn caught his intense gaze. He'd better explain himself.

"Protecting Connor and Anne. We know that these guys are coming after Connor eventually and if we're off fighting the big bad, whose going to be here to protect him in case something goes wrong with the spell or it's broken. Me and Rondell ain't exactly seeing eye to eye on all the issues, mainly you, but I still trust him with my life and I know the feelings mutual. I just didn't know how to tell you. We got enough drama, didn't want to add to it know what I'm saying?" Cordelia put a comforting hand on his back and rubbed it as he finished. Angel noticed this but said nothing. Wesley sighed deeply.

"Gunn, haven't you learned yet? We can't continue to hide things from each other or try to deal with it on our own. It leads to nothing but trouble. I understand you reasons for it, I do. But what if the meeting went sour and they became hostile. We would've known nothing about it."

"He was only doing what he had to." Angel spoke for the first time since he had heard the news.

"I get why you did it Gunn. You have to do what you can to protect your family. And you are apart of this family. Your gang is doing the same thing. And I take it that Rondell agreed to it, despite me being a vampire?"

"Yeah, he said that he was doing this for his own reasons, not for me or you. He's starting to see the world isn't as black and white we thought it was."

"I saw it for myself Angel. They're just lost. I think they're just trying to find purpose. Maybe protecting people who need protecting might be what they were looking for. And it seemed to me that Rondell still trusts Gunn. If Gunn trusts them, I trust them." Cordelia told Angel.

"Okay. But I'm going to see for myself. Is there anything else?"

"Nah, that's it. Just feels good to get that off of my chest." Gunn admitted. Angel put down his sword and stood up looking around to everyone.

"Well in that case, I need to get something off my chest too. I went to Wolfram and Hart to try and get a clue on a possible weakness for this thing. Come to find out, the Senior Partners have lost their liaison to this plane and everyone from lawyers to janitors have been turning up missing the last few weeks. Apparently any mystic who tried to make contact with them all had their brains decorated across the wall. Lilah won't admit it but they know they don't have any control over them. They didn't see this coming. From what I can see, this Legion doesn't discriminate against good and evil. It just considers all of us in need of salvation. Point is, tomorrow night we get ready for this, I'm going to do what I have to protect my son and my family. That's my reason for this. I know it's been a long month and it seems like we can't catch a break but we're going to see this through to the end. Wesley, Gunn I know you're apart of this, Cordelia's made it clear she is as well, Fred, you don't have to be, I'm leaving the choice up to you." Fred looked up to him with a shocked expression before looking at Wesley and back to Angel.

"To tell you the truth, I am scared to death about the whole thing. I'm not much of a fighter or that useful other than research. Cordelia's the vision girl, I'm just a brainiac. But you said it yourself Angel, you have to do what you can to protect your family. How am I going to do that if I stay here worrying about you guys?" Gunn jumped in a few seconds later with a smile on his face.

"That's right, that's not going to solve a damn thing. Seems to me we got us a big bad demon who needs a whooping. I don't know about you but after dating our Fair Cordelia for almost a month I think it's safe to say I can take on just about anything." At that Wesley and Angel grinned as did Fred while Cordelia slapped Gunn in the back of the head and the sound of it echoed throughout the lobby. Gunn rubbed his head before suddenly grabbing her and tickling her on the couch making her squeal. Angel looked on. They were going to be okay. As long as they were positive they had hope. Something that took a little getting used to but it was definitely appreciated.

"Well it's nice to see that something good happened in the last month. I'm surprised you two are still in one piece." Angel asked half-jokingly. Cordelia gave him a look.

"Gunn won't be for long if he scares the crap out of me again." Gunn grinned at her sheepishly. Hey that was okay with him because scaring her and making her squeal, definitely worth the risk. He loved to see her get wiled up. Her eyebrows always did this twitch thing when she was pissed off and it turned him on everytime. The sound of Wesley's stomach gurgle interrupted the two's tirade.

"Sorry about that but I am dreadfully hungry. Anyone have any suggestions about dinner?" Angel looked at him like he was stupid. He drank blood for goodness sake.

"A nice juicy steak, with chopped onion and mushrooms, medium well and a big bottle of A-1 sauce." Gunn offered almost drooling with anticipation. Cordelia paused a second before nodding and asking the question that was on everyone's minds.

"Who's paying?" Gunn chuckled as did Angel. It was a legitimate question and to be expected Cordy was going to give it a voice in a non-tactful way.

"Well it ain't me." Gunn answered quickly. Fred just shrugged and Angel automatically looked towards Wesley. Wesley caught on to all of their looks before sighing.

"Kiss my pansy ass, the lot of you."

After plans were made, Angel Investigations made their way to the closest steakhouse they could find and with Wesley floating the tab, made sure to make the most of it. Angel brought some food for Connor just in case he got hungry. Which wasn't really the case as he needed burping more than anything else. While Cordelia messed around with Connor at the table much to Angel's relief, Gunn and Wesley were reliving days past with Fred. In a messed up way this could have been considered possibly their last meal so the crew made sure to talk about good things for once because after tomorrow, it was instant badness. Once Connor began to get sleepy the group decided to separate ways. Cordy and Gunn had stopped by Gunn's apartment and picked up some clothes and a couple of weapons and were now making their way to Cordelia's door. Dennis opened it up for them.

"Thanks dog." He told him thankfully as he got his dufflebag in through the door. Cordelia closed the door behind him before sighing.

"Okay, I feel like a pregnant lady with all of this gas. That's not cool." Gunn tossed her a weary look.

"Wow, never thought I'd hear that come out of "your" mouth. I didn't even think that you were capable of it." Cordelia rolled her eyes as she passed him into the den.

"I wasn't aware that you liked your women to discuss their bodily functions with you, no matter how gross they may be. But since we're on that subject, you can prepare yourself to be going down the feminine goods aisle pretty soon. That is, if we don't die first." A disgusted scowl flashed across his face as he followed her into the den.

"The hell I am! I've been through that enough already with Alonna."

"Well you better get used to it because I'm A. Female. And you're full of shit Mr. Tough Guy because if you had a daughter, you'd be puddy in her little hands." She teased as she sat down on the couch. He did as well as he grinned slightly. He couldn't argue that. The thought of kids never crossed his mind. Didn't think he was going to be around that long. Hell settling down wasn't exactly in his future plans either. He knew what he and Cordy had going on was still fresh and there was no telling of how far it might go before they decided to separate or worse. Of course he hoped otherwise but nothing in their life was guaranteed. This was as good a time as any to talk about their relationship thus far. With all of the big bad drama and Cordelia's vision issues, they really hadn't had time to discuss each other.

"You ever think that far ahead Cordy? Settling down, having kids and all that Leave It to Beaver shit?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to his chest. She straightened herself and folded her legs underneath so she was able to be comfortable. She was somewhat taken back. She and Gunn hadn't really had time to discuss themselves but she had to admit she wanted to.

"Can't say that I have? I mean, us probably dying in the next couple days pretty much sums up why. That's not to say I wouldn't eventually want to. Though I dread what have a baby will do to my figure. What if the weight never came off? I'd look like Kristie Alley." Gunn chuckled.

"Cordelia, that was very shallow of you."

"I'm just saying." Gunn shook his head.

"Anyway, I have to agree, the thought hasn't really crossed my mind either for obvious reasons. But then again, I never expected to live long enough to have any of that stuff. Or to be all hugged up on a couch with a bad ass woman like yourself. I don't know how far we'll go together but I'm definitely willing to enjoy the trip. Who knows what'll happen?"

"That's good to know. I must say that I have been on Cloud 9 for the past three weeks. But it's kind of different than my other relationships. This feels more mature. Which is funny, because we're still like two inexperienced teenagers when it comes to anything that has to deal with sex. All I know is that I don't see myself dating anyone else anytime soon and if you feel the same then I think that we'll be just fine. Maybe in some bizarro world, we'll finally be the normal couple out of the bunch. No super angst stories, love triangles,or any of that other turgid soap opera crap." Cordelia admitted not just to Gunn but to herself as well. She really did feel like she and Gunn could make this thing work. They had an understanding of each other she didn't think was possible. He didn't just see her as Vision girl or his very hot co-worker/girlfriend. He just saw her as she was, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And she had seen the same in him. She didn't want to give whatever feelings she had for him a name yet. She still wasn't sure what love really was. Maybe he wasn't either. But it was definitely something close to it because it was different than what she felt for Angel and Wesley and she knew that she loved them in a familial sense. Not so much the case with Gunn, it felt different. Like an attraction. Gunn's voice dragged her back to reality.

"Out of all people, Cordelia, what made you choose me? Because I'm still trying to figure that one out. We've gotten plenty of looks with people probably asking that same question." He asked aloud as if he still couldn't believe it. He knew why he was interested in her but he wanted to know just what about him kept her interest.

"Oh that's easy. I didn't choose you. We just happened. Life happened. One day I'm looking at man who's pissed off 24/7 and likes to hit stuff. Next thing you know, he's one of the closest friends I have. I love spending money, you're a cheapskate. I'm cool, you're a big dork. But at the same time, who else can do dance routines to Billie Jean like me and you can? And watch Jim Carrey movies without shame? No one, that's who you insecure oaf."

"Look, I ain't insecure. I just asked." Gunn told her defensively. Cordelia smirked to herself before pulling him down towards her and kissing him deeply. Gunn wasn't one to fight when it came to her so he let himself fall into it. Leaning back a bit, he felt Cordelia's weight shift over on top of him as he placed a hand on her back and used his other to keep her from falling off. She nodded thankfully as she repositioned herself.

Gunn couldn't think about anything else but how much he was into this girl. He could feel her nipples perking through her blouse and it was starting a chain reaction because Cordelia pulled away from him and gave him a naughty look.

"I guess somebody's awake." She teased as she leaned forward again and began kissing his neck. Gunn let a moan escape his lips making Cordelia suck just a little bit harder just beneath his ear. . Shit. He wasn't about to fight this time. Cordelia wanted to go there, by all means he was going to let her do it. He barely registered what was happening before he noticed his hands moving freely along her breast as she had unbuttoned it for him to get easier access. Taking her in he noticed with much delight that Cordelia was bigger than he thought she was up close. She was damn near spilling out of her bra. That was definitely what was up.

"Damn." He said before she gave him a look and poked him in his chest.

"Up here pervert."

Gunn smirked before pulling her back towards him and allowing her to slide herself back on top of him. He felt her hands crawl underneath his shirt and her hands gave him a chill as they rubbed across his bare chest. He reciprocated the gesture by sliding her blouse from her shoulders. This was by far worth waking up everyday for. Just the chance to explore Cordelia in this way. And Gunn had to admit, he was going to be very protective of this. No other man was ever going to get the chance, he'd make sure of that. He kissed her neck and started to make a trail down her collarbone to her chest. Cordelia moaned, feeling months of pent up UST about to be released. She wanted Gunn and she wanted him bad. Like now, and damn the consequences, she was about to have him.

"Gunn..Charles…" She moaned as he pulled her tighter to him. She had already let her hair down and was about to continue this in the bedroom . He only continued to work her until he heard the last thing he wanted to hear.

"Aaaahhhhhhh!" With that Cordelia practically flew back against the couch before falling to the floor grabbing her head in pain. Gunn immediately jumped up to help her only to see that she had stopped moving and seemed to be in a trance like state. What the fuck?

"Dennis! Get something quick! Cordelia! Cordy baby wake up! Shit!" Gunn shook her almost violently trying to get her to come to. Her eyes appeared to have been glossed over. Gunn pressed his ear to her mouth. Good she was still breathing normally. He continued to yell her name but to no avail. He could feel the tears starting to press against his eyes. He was not going to lose her. Setting her up in his arms, he began to stroke her face and shake her lightly trying to wake her. Dennis arrived with a water bottle and some pills a few moments later. Gunn thanked him quickly.

"Fucking Powers that Be, hasn't she had enough of your shit! She's tired. Leave her alone. You're not going to take her away from me." He yelled out as he opened up the water bottle and tried to splash some on her to revive her. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead just to give himself some comfort that she would be okay. She was just dazed out that's all. That's all it was. Right? Cordelia's cough confirmed his internal rant. Next thing he knew she was looking at him with wide eyes and hugged him forcefully knocking him down. Tears had already started streaming from her eyes.

"Gunn!"

"Cordy, talk to me. You ain't never just zone out during a vision like that before. What the hell was that?." Gunn asked as he hugged her tighter. She was safe. Thank God, she was safe.

"I saw it Gunn. The Beast. I saw him. I saw what he's going to do. I saw him kill everyone. I saw him kill us." Gunn just looked at her at a loss for words.

"The Sun disappeared. They found Connor and gutted him like a fish. Then the fire came. I could hear them, feel them. Everybody's pain and suffering. The smells of burning flesh. It was horrible. And he was standing there smiling at me. Like he was thankful. Gunn I'm so scared. Why would the powers send me a vision like this if we're already going to lose?" Cordelia asked part of her scared the other half angry at the situation. What was the point?

"I don't know Cordelia. I'm about fed up with the goddamn powers that sit on their behind while the rest of us suffer. We've changed vision outcomes before. I don't know why this one was sent to you the night before we head out but is there anything you got out of it that might give a clue?"

"He said the answer is among you. What the fuck does that mean?" Cordelia spat outloud getting frustrated with the whole thing. Gunn couldn't blame her. He was ready to settle this once and for all and get on with his life. Gunn just shook his head.

"I don't know. We'll figured it out in the morning. What I do know is that you just about scared the hell out of me with that exorcist shit just now. How is your head? Better?" She had just finished taken her meds. She nodded.

"Yeah it's better." With that Gunn got up and leaned to scoop her up into his arms much to Cordelia's surprise. Man, he was strong she thought to herself. She smiled a bit at him as he proceeded to take her to her bedroom and set her in the bed.

"Stupid vision headache. I wish you were taking me to my bed so you could ravage me." She moped as she laid her head down on the pillow. Gunn could only chuckle. Hell he felt the same way but he had a lot to tell Wesley and the others in the morning and he and Cordelia needed to be focused with as much sleep as possible.

"Don't worry, if we make it though this, I'm definitely picking up where I left off. Your evil little premonition kinda takes priority right now." Cordelia just moaned grumpily.

"I know. I know. Well, what are you standing there for? You going to lie down or what? Because if you think I'm going to sleep by myself after that vision I just had you got another thing coming."

"I'm coming, I'm coming woman. Scoot over." With that Gunn pulled his shirt over his head and slid in next to her. The two of them still dressed in what they wore earlier, it was obvious neither one of them gave a damn right about now. Turning off the light Cordelia turned to look at Gunn who was staring at the ceiling, apparently in thought.

"Whatcha thinking?"

"How evil sex must be for you? It's like you're destined not to get any." He blurted out. Cordelia flat out laughed before having to calm down because of her head.

"I know right? I finally get the nerve to say damn the consequences and this happens. At least I know you're not just with me for that." She admitted quietly. Gunn acknowledge her with a small grunt.

"True. But don't get me wrong, there are plenty of naughty activities to be had with you. I think if we beat around the bush any longer one of us is going to explode and rape the other person." He said with a laugh.

"You can't rape the willing Gunn." She said with a laugh of her own.

"Touche." He replied. Even though it was kind of weird they were joking about raping each other he noticed, it was very true. There was something he couldn't describe pulling him to Cordy and it was physical, it was emotional, it was something he could honestly say he never felt before. It was new and kind of scary even now.

"I'm glad you're here. Joking with me, trying to keep my hopes up because honestly I'm scared to death." Cordelia whispered softly as she slowly started to drift off to sleep.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else Cordy. Get some rest."

"Okay." Within a few minutes she was silent and Gunn noticed she had fallen asleep. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her shoulder before going into thought. This very well may have been his last night to be with her like this and it was worth every second. He'd lost his biological family, he'd lost his street family, he wasn't about to lose the one he had now. So if the big bad Beastie wanted to throw down, Gunn was ready to go toe-to-toe with him or die trying.

Author's Note: I enjoyed writing this chapter. Now it's time to get set up for the action. There's a lot on the line for our favorite couple like their existence for starters. It doesn't seem to be a good outlook so far. I noticed that Cordelia and Gunn tended to play off one another a lot during the show, hence their playful banter a majority of the time. It's one of the reasons I like them. He can talk shit to her and still have his soft side and vice versa. It makes it an interesting dynamic I hope to explore more once the drama is over. Once again, thanks to everyone who is reading and/or reviewing. It's nice to know someone gives a damn rather I finish this or not. Until next time Hell Yeah!