Title: An Arrival
Series: Changed 3/?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss, ME, and a bunch of other people own all. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made.
Distribution: Fanfiction.net All list archives. Anyone else want it, go ahead, just let me know where you are putting it.
Feedback: Yes please. I live for it, need it like oxygen. Thank you.
"Cordelia, get some things together. We're going to Sunnydale." To Cordelia, Angel's voice sounded tight, controlled. She knew he used that voice mostly when a friend was in danger. She'd always hated that voice.
"Angel, what's wrong? Is it Buffy?" Her own voice held concern not so much for Buffy, as for Angel. She knew that to lose Buffy, would break something in Angel. When Angel didn't answer her, she asked again. "Angel, what's wrong? Why are we going to Sunnydale?" A note of impatience was beginning to tinge Cordelia's concern.
"Delia, It's not Buffy. I, I'll explain the whole thing on the way." Angel would have to think about how to tell Cordelia that there was one more vampire in her life. He wasn't looking forward to it. Now he needed to get her out of here. "We have to get going. Go pack some things for each of us. Not a lot, please. I'll explain to Gunn and Wesley. They can stay here and watch over things. Go." Angel's voice now held the unmistakable note of command. He was truly grateful that each of them had started keeping rooms in the hotel. It would make this go a little faster, and time was already short, if they were to reach Sunnydale before dawn.
Without saying another word, Cordelia turned and walked out of the office gently shutting the door behind her. Angel knew he should get up, speak with Gunn and Wesley, but he couldn't seem to summon the strength. He didn't know how to explain to them that a call from his wayward childe was sending him straight back to Sunnydale. It had taken so much work to regain even a fraction of their trust after the whole Darla episode last year. He didn't want to jeopardize that. But how to explain that a young man, who had only ever professed undying hatred for him, had been turned by his Childe, his soulless childe. And how to explain that said Childe had called him for help. He prayed to a god, he did not believe would listen, that they would understand.
While all of these thoughts were racing around in Angel's head, a soft knock came at the door. He answered, "Come in."
Gunn and Wesley came into his office. "What's up Angel, Delia said you needed to talk man." this from Gunn.
Before Angel could reply to him, Wesley's voice came, "Yes, Angel. What is it. I must say, Cordelia seemed rather upset." The tension in Wesley's voice was plain. He wanted to trust Angel, but still wasn't really sure, he could.
"Sit down, both of you. I don't have a lot of time. Cordelia and I will be leaving for Sunnydale tonight. It will have to be soon or we won't make it before sunrise." Angel spoke in a soft measured tone, meant to both convey his determination and assure them that he wasn't behaving irresponsibly.
Gunn visibly relaxed, but Wesley seemed unaffected by his words and tone. "But Angel, why. What about the cases we have open. You have responsibilities here. What can have possibly happened to take you to Sunnydale."
"As I said, I don't have a lot of time. I don't actually have a lot of information either, but here's what I know. That was Spike on the phone just now. It seems he occasionally helps Buffy and her friends for pay. He was out patrolling with Xander they were attacked. A vampire nearly drained Xander before Spike killed her. He was dying. Spike turned him. Willow restored his soul. Spike asked for my help. I'm going." The last of this was delivered with an almost defiant tone, daring them to ask him to stay.
Gunn and Wesley remained silent for a moment. Gunn finally answered, "Go, my man. You're needed there. We can hold down the fort." Somehow he understood.
"Yes, Angel, go. The current cases are all rather mundane anyway, and we can call if we need you." Wesley too, seemed to understand. Angel was gratified by their faith in him.
"Thank you. We'll stay in touch. I promise."
"Of course Angel. We'll leave you alone now." Wesley spoke for both himself and Gunn, leading the other man out of the office.
That was one trial down. Now all he had to do was figure out how to explain things to Cordelia.
Hours later Angel and Cordelia were just outside of Sunnydale. Angel true to his word, had given Cordelia all of the information he had when the trip began. For the next 20 minutes Cordelia had grilled him with questions he couldn't answer. When she realized she wouldn't get any more information, Cordelia had fallen silent and hadn't spoken for the rest of the journey. Just as they passed the Welcome to Sunnydale sign, Cordelia spoke again, "Just how the hell am I supposed to deal with this. You are telling me that my ex-boyfriend died, was turned, by Spike no less, and had his soul restored to him, all in the space of what the last 5 hours or so. What am I supposed to think, to do. Why did you bring me here with you?" Her voice was frustrated, she didn't know how to respond to all of this new information, and would have liked to have more time to prepare herself before she had to face the rest of them.
Angel answered her, just as frustrated, "I don't know Cordelia. I don't even know how I'm going to deal with it. I brought you, because you were these peoples friend no matter how badly things went with you. They need friends just now." It was about 10 minutes until dawn and Willow's house was still a good 12 minutes away if one followed all of the traffic laws. Angel decided he was going to speed, and hope that tonight was not the night to get caught.
Just as the sun was beginning to rise, Giles heard a furious knocking at Willow's front door. He answered it to find Angel on the other side. "Angel, come in." his voice was cold. He was still not comfortable with the other man, wasn't sure he ever would be.
"Giles, I came as quickly as I could. Cordelia is with me. What happened." Angel understood Giles' reticence with him, expected it, but he needed information. He had to make sense of what he had been told.
Cordelia came in then, she rushed to Giles and hugged him. "Oh, Giles. What happened here. I just can't believe that Xander is a vampire. He can't be." She was nearly hysterical, all of the things she'd been told in the last hours were finally starting to sink in.
Giles wanted to deal gently with the poor girl before him. Unfortunately he had yet to deal with it all himself. He didn't know what to say or do that could comfort her. Instead he gently led her into the living room, Angel trailing behind them. "Please sit down, both of you. Watch out for Anya, she's still trying to get some sleep. I'll get Spike, he can explain what happened tonight." Without waiting for a response, Giles left the room in search of Spike. He wouldn't be hard to find. The vampire hadn't rested since bringing Xander here. He had only left his childe's side to check on the small red-headed witch in the other room. Giles found Spike with Xander just watching as his child slept. He spoke softly, not wishing to disturb him, "Spike, Angel and Cordelia are here. They need to hear what happened tonight. Can you talk to them."
"Bloody hell, I don't want to tell this story again." looking up, Spike saw the desperation in Giles' eyes. "Oh, alright. I'll talk to them." Spike stood up and made his way down to the living room where he told his story yet another time.
Cordelia and Angel listened in silence until Spike reached the end of his story. "Spike, Willow, is she okay?" This from Angel, concern hung on every syllable he spoke.
Giles looked up sharply, remembering his earlier conversation with Spike. Was it true, or even possible. Did Angel love Willow? Shaking his head, resolving to solve all of these issues later, Giles answered. "She'll be fine Angel. She's sleeping. She worked with a great deal of power to anchor the soul, and she was weak already. She just needs rest."
"Can I see her?" Angel asked in that same tone.
Giles nodded, "Spike can show you her room. I'm going to make some tea for Cordelia and I" Giles knew it would be better if Spike was present when Willow was with Angel. He didn't want to have to deal with a jealous vampire, and he knew that Spike would not let her be hurt. He got up and went to the kitchen, Cordelia stayed in her seat, shocked not only at the events that had brought her to Sunnydale, but by the interaction of Angel, Spike, and Giles.
Angel followed Spike up the stairs and down the hall to the guest room where Willow was still sleeping. Spike went immediately to her side, and took her small hand in his. Angel went to her other side and gently stroked her hair. She stirred just a little in her sleep and Angel crooned soothing words to her, "Shh, it's okay Little One. I'm here. I'll protect you." When he looked back up he saw Spike glaring at him.
Spike spoke coldly, "Sire, you can't have her. I love her, and I won't let you take her. Never will I let you take her from me."
Series: Changed 3/?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss, ME, and a bunch of other people own all. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is being made.
Distribution: Fanfiction.net All list archives. Anyone else want it, go ahead, just let me know where you are putting it.
Feedback: Yes please. I live for it, need it like oxygen. Thank you.
"Cordelia, get some things together. We're going to Sunnydale." To Cordelia, Angel's voice sounded tight, controlled. She knew he used that voice mostly when a friend was in danger. She'd always hated that voice.
"Angel, what's wrong? Is it Buffy?" Her own voice held concern not so much for Buffy, as for Angel. She knew that to lose Buffy, would break something in Angel. When Angel didn't answer her, she asked again. "Angel, what's wrong? Why are we going to Sunnydale?" A note of impatience was beginning to tinge Cordelia's concern.
"Delia, It's not Buffy. I, I'll explain the whole thing on the way." Angel would have to think about how to tell Cordelia that there was one more vampire in her life. He wasn't looking forward to it. Now he needed to get her out of here. "We have to get going. Go pack some things for each of us. Not a lot, please. I'll explain to Gunn and Wesley. They can stay here and watch over things. Go." Angel's voice now held the unmistakable note of command. He was truly grateful that each of them had started keeping rooms in the hotel. It would make this go a little faster, and time was already short, if they were to reach Sunnydale before dawn.
Without saying another word, Cordelia turned and walked out of the office gently shutting the door behind her. Angel knew he should get up, speak with Gunn and Wesley, but he couldn't seem to summon the strength. He didn't know how to explain to them that a call from his wayward childe was sending him straight back to Sunnydale. It had taken so much work to regain even a fraction of their trust after the whole Darla episode last year. He didn't want to jeopardize that. But how to explain that a young man, who had only ever professed undying hatred for him, had been turned by his Childe, his soulless childe. And how to explain that said Childe had called him for help. He prayed to a god, he did not believe would listen, that they would understand.
While all of these thoughts were racing around in Angel's head, a soft knock came at the door. He answered, "Come in."
Gunn and Wesley came into his office. "What's up Angel, Delia said you needed to talk man." this from Gunn.
Before Angel could reply to him, Wesley's voice came, "Yes, Angel. What is it. I must say, Cordelia seemed rather upset." The tension in Wesley's voice was plain. He wanted to trust Angel, but still wasn't really sure, he could.
"Sit down, both of you. I don't have a lot of time. Cordelia and I will be leaving for Sunnydale tonight. It will have to be soon or we won't make it before sunrise." Angel spoke in a soft measured tone, meant to both convey his determination and assure them that he wasn't behaving irresponsibly.
Gunn visibly relaxed, but Wesley seemed unaffected by his words and tone. "But Angel, why. What about the cases we have open. You have responsibilities here. What can have possibly happened to take you to Sunnydale."
"As I said, I don't have a lot of time. I don't actually have a lot of information either, but here's what I know. That was Spike on the phone just now. It seems he occasionally helps Buffy and her friends for pay. He was out patrolling with Xander they were attacked. A vampire nearly drained Xander before Spike killed her. He was dying. Spike turned him. Willow restored his soul. Spike asked for my help. I'm going." The last of this was delivered with an almost defiant tone, daring them to ask him to stay.
Gunn and Wesley remained silent for a moment. Gunn finally answered, "Go, my man. You're needed there. We can hold down the fort." Somehow he understood.
"Yes, Angel, go. The current cases are all rather mundane anyway, and we can call if we need you." Wesley too, seemed to understand. Angel was gratified by their faith in him.
"Thank you. We'll stay in touch. I promise."
"Of course Angel. We'll leave you alone now." Wesley spoke for both himself and Gunn, leading the other man out of the office.
That was one trial down. Now all he had to do was figure out how to explain things to Cordelia.
Hours later Angel and Cordelia were just outside of Sunnydale. Angel true to his word, had given Cordelia all of the information he had when the trip began. For the next 20 minutes Cordelia had grilled him with questions he couldn't answer. When she realized she wouldn't get any more information, Cordelia had fallen silent and hadn't spoken for the rest of the journey. Just as they passed the Welcome to Sunnydale sign, Cordelia spoke again, "Just how the hell am I supposed to deal with this. You are telling me that my ex-boyfriend died, was turned, by Spike no less, and had his soul restored to him, all in the space of what the last 5 hours or so. What am I supposed to think, to do. Why did you bring me here with you?" Her voice was frustrated, she didn't know how to respond to all of this new information, and would have liked to have more time to prepare herself before she had to face the rest of them.
Angel answered her, just as frustrated, "I don't know Cordelia. I don't even know how I'm going to deal with it. I brought you, because you were these peoples friend no matter how badly things went with you. They need friends just now." It was about 10 minutes until dawn and Willow's house was still a good 12 minutes away if one followed all of the traffic laws. Angel decided he was going to speed, and hope that tonight was not the night to get caught.
Just as the sun was beginning to rise, Giles heard a furious knocking at Willow's front door. He answered it to find Angel on the other side. "Angel, come in." his voice was cold. He was still not comfortable with the other man, wasn't sure he ever would be.
"Giles, I came as quickly as I could. Cordelia is with me. What happened." Angel understood Giles' reticence with him, expected it, but he needed information. He had to make sense of what he had been told.
Cordelia came in then, she rushed to Giles and hugged him. "Oh, Giles. What happened here. I just can't believe that Xander is a vampire. He can't be." She was nearly hysterical, all of the things she'd been told in the last hours were finally starting to sink in.
Giles wanted to deal gently with the poor girl before him. Unfortunately he had yet to deal with it all himself. He didn't know what to say or do that could comfort her. Instead he gently led her into the living room, Angel trailing behind them. "Please sit down, both of you. Watch out for Anya, she's still trying to get some sleep. I'll get Spike, he can explain what happened tonight." Without waiting for a response, Giles left the room in search of Spike. He wouldn't be hard to find. The vampire hadn't rested since bringing Xander here. He had only left his childe's side to check on the small red-headed witch in the other room. Giles found Spike with Xander just watching as his child slept. He spoke softly, not wishing to disturb him, "Spike, Angel and Cordelia are here. They need to hear what happened tonight. Can you talk to them."
"Bloody hell, I don't want to tell this story again." looking up, Spike saw the desperation in Giles' eyes. "Oh, alright. I'll talk to them." Spike stood up and made his way down to the living room where he told his story yet another time.
Cordelia and Angel listened in silence until Spike reached the end of his story. "Spike, Willow, is she okay?" This from Angel, concern hung on every syllable he spoke.
Giles looked up sharply, remembering his earlier conversation with Spike. Was it true, or even possible. Did Angel love Willow? Shaking his head, resolving to solve all of these issues later, Giles answered. "She'll be fine Angel. She's sleeping. She worked with a great deal of power to anchor the soul, and she was weak already. She just needs rest."
"Can I see her?" Angel asked in that same tone.
Giles nodded, "Spike can show you her room. I'm going to make some tea for Cordelia and I" Giles knew it would be better if Spike was present when Willow was with Angel. He didn't want to have to deal with a jealous vampire, and he knew that Spike would not let her be hurt. He got up and went to the kitchen, Cordelia stayed in her seat, shocked not only at the events that had brought her to Sunnydale, but by the interaction of Angel, Spike, and Giles.
Angel followed Spike up the stairs and down the hall to the guest room where Willow was still sleeping. Spike went immediately to her side, and took her small hand in his. Angel went to her other side and gently stroked her hair. She stirred just a little in her sleep and Angel crooned soothing words to her, "Shh, it's okay Little One. I'm here. I'll protect you." When he looked back up he saw Spike glaring at him.
Spike spoke coldly, "Sire, you can't have her. I love her, and I won't let you take her. Never will I let you take her from me."