When Wesley and Cordelia reached the Studio on Tuesday, neither of them could meet the other's eyes. Jack walked over.
"Wesley, Cordy. I've had a chat with the scriptwriters, and I'm managed to convince them to tone the scenes down slightly. We've decided that the kiss is almost enough."
"Almost?" Queried Wesley, trembling slightly.
"Yeah…they want you to push Cordy over onto the bed, and *mumphwimble*"
"Sorry, Jack? I didn't quite catch that." Cordelia sighed.
"Theywantyoutobegintoundohershirt." He looked up. "Is that…OK with you two?" They both nodded, neither of the looking at the other. "Good. Now that's settled, we can start."
***
2 hours and 56 takes later, Wesley and Cordelia were both feeling hot and flustered. And they hadn't even got to the sex scene yet. Neither of them felt able to comply with anything they were asked to do, nor could they look each other in the eye. Which didn't make for the greatest on screen chemistry ever.
"Cordelia. If you were watching yourself now, would you be thinking 'Sabrina & Harvey', or 'Chandler and Monica?" Jack was beginning to lose his patience with the way they were behaving. They were both fluffing the simplest of lines, forgetting how to follow his directions – you'd think after three months on a show Wesley would be able to remember where "Upstage Left" was. "No. You'd be thinking more 'Ross and anyone who would have him.' There's just no tension!"
Sighing, Jack sat down in his director's chair. "OK, guys. I can see you're gonna be unable to behave sensibly until we get this over with. So come on then." His voice gained an authoritative edge. He began to speak louder – Jack was in his element bossing people around. "Positions everyone – we're going with Scene 16 – Gordon's bedroom - ahead of schedule."
Jack picked up his script, and read along with the two actors as they performed the scene. He was really glad he found them, and he knew that they could go on to do great things, if only they could get over their problems working with one another. It was really beginning to get in the way of their careers.
"Tracy, I know what I said. But I've been thinking, and…I think it's time." Tracy looked hopefully into Gordon's eyes. As Wesley looked at Cordelia, it was almost as if she weren't in there at all. There was no life in those eyes, the sparkle he had grown to love was missing. He had to remind himself it wasn't Cordelia, it was Tracy.
"Are you sure? I mean, I wouldn't want to push you into anything you don't want."
Wesley took Cordelia's hands in his own. He felt extremely self-conscious, and his hands felt clammier than ever. He had never felt this way about any of their screen kisses before…what was wrong with him this time? Maybe it was the thought of what was to come.
"I'm positive." As he leaned in to kiss her, he noticed the sparkle. It was there, it was just well hidden. As his lips touched her soft skin, it was like fireworks exploding in his head. As the kiss deepened, he began to lose control of his character. This was nothing like any of their previous screen kisses – nor was it like either of their real ones. It was new, it was exciting. He moved his hands around her waist, and let himself go completely.
"Oh, Wesley." The small sound escaped Cordelia's lips before she could stop them. She had no hold on the world around her, she barely heard Jack's yell of "cut!" It sounded like he was miles away, and for all she cared at that moment, he could have been. It wasn't until Wesley pulled away, still with his arm possessively around her waist, that she realised what had happened. It took her a few moments to pull herself together enough to look into his face, but when she raised her face to his, she couldn't believe her eyes. His expression showed pure contentment, and when he saw her smile back, he let out a small sigh of relief, and tightened his grip slightly. They were lost so deeply in their own little world, they both jumped slightly when Jack appeared beside Wesley.
"Have fun guys?" He sounded angry. Cordelia had been so wrapped up in her situation with Wesley that she hadn't even given a second thought to what Jack might think. So she was relieved when he broke into a wide grin. "I think you guys should take the rest of the day off. I'm guessing you won't be having too much trouble with those scenes any more, huh?"
***
Angel walked into the hotel. He took off his jacket, and slung it over the back of a chair. He opened the door to his office, and couldn't believe that Wesley and Cordelia were finally together. He was happy for them,. He just couldn't understand why they were making their 'togetherness' final by them both being half naked on his desk. He closed the door, picked up his coat, and left the hotel, making sure he had enough money. It was getting dark, but most of the stores were still open. And he had the funniest feeling he was going to need to buy a new desk.