Title: A time to dance
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, I just write about them for the pleasure of it.
Summary: A little puff piece about Angel and Cordy and the beginning of a more intimate relationship between them (maybe).
Spoilers: Events up to and including Epiphany
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A time to dance
From Part 1
Is this happening? I don't believe it. Am I dreaming again? These questions and others flew through Cordy's mind as Angel pulled her to him. The dulcet tones of the slow ballad were almost inaudible against the beating of her heart. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him. The smoke, crowd, Wesley and Gunn were forgotten memories as Angel took over her every thought…
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Part II - The ache
Angel looked down at the beauty in his arms. Her heartbeat pounded in his ears, almost overpowering him. Skin so smooth, he mumbled to himself as he gently traced his fingers over her cheekbones and down the side of her face. He reached for a lock of hair, which he entangled through his fingers then tucked behind her ear. He traced his fingers over her full lips, feeling her warm breath on his knuckles.
Cordy sighed as Angel caressed her face with the surprisingly soft skin of his hand. I feel like a character in a soppy romance novel, she thought as she felt a tingling begin at her cheek and end at the tip of her toes. She couldn't help it - he was mesmerising.
They swayed in unison, their bodies melded as one. Cordy lay her head on Angel's shoulder as she revelled in the emotions washing over her. In response, Angel moved his hand to the nape of her neck, delicately holding her head to his chest. When did Cordy become more than a friend? I know I've hurt her - quite recently, too - yet she still considers me worthy, Angel pondered through the emotional haze. I've been blind, he thought. Cordy was there for me. So what do I do? I sack her - desert her - betray her trust.
Cordy felt Angel tense slightly, and raised her head enough to look at his eyes again. What is he thinking? Why can't I get past that barriers he puts up? Cordy tightened her arms around his waist, causing him to glance down at her. Whoa, baby. He has to stop looking at me like that. I think my knees will collapse under me. She watched as that small little smile appeared at the corners of his mouth like before. He tilted his head, bringing it closer to her face. Please let him kiss me, please, please, please. Almost as if he had heard her silent pleading, Angel cradled her chin in his hand and gently touched his lips to hers. That first kiss was soft, brief, yet promising. Cordy stared into his bottomless eyes as she let out the breath she hadn't been aware she'd been holding.
Angel's mind was racing. I kissed her, I really kissed Cordelia. More. I need more. He was almost delirious with emotion. He felt himself lower his head again. Their lips met once more, Cordy's arms grasping his waist, Angel crushing his lips to hers. Angel felt her mouth open slightly and he took the opportunity to caress her lips with the tip of his tongue. A slight sound escaped her lips and she moved her hands from his waist to the back of his head, pulling him even closer. They interfused into one, the urgency overtaking them both as they put all their energy into exploring, tasting and enveloping the confines of each other's mouth. Finally, they broke apart. Cordy gasped, breathless, overcome by the passion. Angel was not breathless, he had no breath to lose. Nevertheless, he felt a tightening in his chest, an ache.
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In the depths of the long forgotten nightclub, Wesley and Gunn watched. Gunn glanced at Wesley, noting the grim look on the ex-watcher's face. "Wesley," he said, "are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Wesley didn't even look at him, "Gunn, I think I need to have a little chat to Angel before this goes any further," he replied.
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His hand still cradling Cordy's chin, Angel stared into her eyes. Their faces were only inches apart. The long-running ballad finished and another loud, brassier song began. The sudden increase in volume caused Angel to snap his head upright in a flash, the implications of the moment and potential consequences suddenly hitting him. I know this 'ache', he remembered. I've felt it before. With Darla - briefly - all those years ago. Then with Buffy, not so long ago.
Cordy hadn't moved or noticed the change in the music. Angel was kissing her, holding her. Then suddenly his face was gone.
"Cordy," Angel managed to croak, "we, I, can't do this. It's too dangerous."
"Damn the danger," she hoarsely replied, "I want this, I need this." She was almost pleading with him. Queen C pleading? That just doesn't happen, she thought. Yet here she was, pleading for a vampire - a vampire, of all things - to love her.
Angel didn't hear her, for he had already let go of her and turned back towards the exit. He almost ran for the sanctuary of the cool night air that lay outside.
Cordy was left alone, in the middle of the smoky dance floor. Despite her best efforts, a tear escaped and trickled down her cheek.
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To be continued in Part III - The Heart (aka "Wesley's dilemma")
By Aphrodite Sky ( Askywalker5@excite.com )