Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own any of the characters, no matter how much I WISH I did. They belong to the idiot Joss and the WB.. Any other characters, I created.
Dealing with Death
By Jules
Chapter 1
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
IAuthor's notes: This story takes place bAFTER/b Doyle died, and bBEFORE/b Cordelia started getting the visions.
Oh, and pretend the 'Initiative' (that's what it's called, right?) disappeared after Spike escaped (with chip in head) and has never been seen in Sunnydale again. That includes Professor Maggie and Riley.
Angel bDID/b go to the PTB (Powers That Be) and ask them to bring Doyle back, and as you probably know, they just told him "When one door closes, another opens." (GOD I hate them! Grrrr, I wish I could do that vampy thing then go vamp out on them!) ANYWAY, obviously he did not come back, but anything else that happened in the episode didn't happen. You know, the stuff with the empath-demon and stuff . . .
I'm not sure where in BtVS this is taking place, but I'm guessing between 'Pangs' and 'Hush'. Does that sound about right? I don't know. All I know is that it's after Thanksgiving.
Ok, I think that's everything! /I
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cordelia looked around the office, her heart heavy. Everything reminded her of Doyle. It hurt too much to stay around anymore, she wasn't eating much, and she didn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes, she watched him die again. She needed to go home.
Angel knew it too. She'd been staying at his place since Doyle died, because going home to a ghost wasn't the best thing for her mental state right now. He knew she hadn't slept more then 18 hours in the past two weeks, if she was lucky. She was listless, and grievous. She didn't care what she looked like anymore.
Angel had insisted upon driving her, and giving her some money to get started with, which would sustain her until she found a job. Actually, he'd given her tons of money, secretly, so she wouldn't get mad for him giving her charity. He'd made some sizable deposits into her bank accounts, without her knowledge. Cordelia would live very comfortably the rest of her life, without ever having to work ever again, if she wanted. Angel felt responsible somehow for Doyle dying, because it should have been him, the pain Cordelia was in, he couldn't help but feel guilty that she couldn't stay in LA anymore, and live out her dream.
Cordelia had enrolled in some classes at the University in Sunnydale now too, after getting a scholarship, which again, Angel had done by pulling some strings behind her back.
She hadn't been in contact with any of the Slayerettes since she'd moved to LA, so she felt no need to contact them now. She'd found a great little apartment near campus too. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen, a main room, a bathroom, and great closet space. It was at a really great deal, so Cordelia had jumped at it.
They arrived in Sunnydale around nine pm. Most of Cordelia's stuff was waiting for her in the apartment. Angel helped carry the rest of her wardrobe and personal belongings and helped get her settled. He was going to be staying for a while as well, until she was strong enough to be on her own.
Cordelia carried a box of very special items into her bedroom, which she would unpack after Angel had set down the last case of clothing, and went back for the last few boxes. The bed was made, and she had placed the box on top of it. First she pulled out a picture of the whole Scooby Gang, before Xander and Willow had kissed, and after she and Xander had gone public, then another picture of just her and Xander she put them on the nightstand next to her bed. A jewelry box came next. She opened it and pulled out the locket he had given her and put it back on, a few books and magazines came next, a soft fuzzy teddy bear, which she placed between all the fluffy pillows on her bed.
Then her, two most cherished possessions these days, aside from the locket that Xander had given her. A picture of Doyle, and the video she'd made of him for the Angel Investigations advertisement, so soon before he died. Cordelia hugged the picture to her chest, and then put it also on her nightstand, facing the bed, so she could see it every morning. She ran her finger down his cheek through the picture frame, and swallowed the lump in her throat, then brushed away the few teardrops that had fallen from her eyes. She missed him so much. Cordelia knew that she would have done anything, just to see his smile again, be able to touch his hand, kiss him again, and just hold him. She had to wipe away a few more stray teardrops before she could return to the next room.
Angel came in and set down a very large box, "That's the last one."
"Thanks Angel." Cordelia hugged him, "For everything."
Angel didn't say anything, but Cordelia knew that he actually felt it was his duty to as her friend.
"I'm a little hungry, but there's no food here. I guess we need to go out." Cordelia sighed.
Angel was worried about her emotionless front she was putting up, but said nothing about it, only agreeing with her, "Right."
"Just give me 15 minutes to change." She informed him, "I ripped my shirt and I need to change it."
Cordelia returned from her bedroom a few minutes later, in a ponytail, no makeup, a pair of black Capri's, a long sleeve white and blue shirt, and tennis shoes. For Cordelia this was very careless dressing, so it was obvious that she wasn't caring what she looked like. She grabbed a cross and a few stakes putting them in her jacket pockets, and then she put on her short black leather coat.
By the time they found somewhere to eat, Cordelia had lost her appetite. The times when she was hungry were few and far between, and if you missed an opportunity, she was stubborn as hell.
"You have to eat Cordelia." Angel insisted.
"But I'm not hungry." She pouted.
"Cordelia, you haven't eaten all day, you've barely eaten a thing since . . ." Angel stopped, realizing what he was about to say. "You can't just, not eat."
"I'm just not hungry." She protested
"You're going to make yourself sick, please, at least a little something." He instructed her.
Cordelia glared at him, but still ordered some breadsticks to appease him. She ate slowly, and a little resentfully, staring at her plate. When she was done she crossed her arms and looked at him darkly.
Angel had watched her carefully, he could tell by the dark circles under her eyes she was exhausted, and he knew she hadn't eaten much all week either. She hadn't done much of anything, and she was starting to look ill.
"What?" Cordelia asked uncomfortably.
"You look tired." He made known, "Do you want to go home and get to bed?"
"No!" Cordelia yelped, quickly sitting up straight, then slouching down, "I can't sleep, you know that. Besides, I'm not tired at all."
Angel had a feeling she would say that, "What do you want to do then?"
"I need to take a walk, a really long walk."
"I'm coming with you. It's too dangerous to be out alone after dark around here."
"I know. I had a feeling you would be coming." She stood up, "I got some 'protection' in my pockets just in case."
~*~
b** 30 minutes earlier **
** Giles's **/b
World War III had erupted just a few moments earlier, and yelling was coming from practically all parties involved.
"Cor, I'm not gonna bloody run away!" Spike yelled.
"AAUUGGGHHHH!!!!!" Buffy screamed back in defeat, "Fine, you can come on patrol with us. But one wrong move and your chained back up in the bathtub."
"Awww man!" Xander whined, "I don't want him to come."
"It's not like I can bite you, you bloody moron. Besides, Slayer would kick my arse if I did."
"You got that right you bleached blond blood sucking fiend." Xander told him crossing his arms and looking at the vampire smugly.
"Well at least I don't need a Igirl/I to protect me."
"You do from humans."
"Can we go?" Buffy questioned the two men, who were acting like six-year-olds, clearly annoyed.
"Of course Pet." Spike opened the door and bowed at his waist, "Ladies first."
Buffy clenched her fists and her jaw, and then walked out the door into the night.
"Be careful." Giles called after them before Spike shut the door, "And don't kill each other." He muttered once the door had been slammed shut.
Willow gave him a sympathetic look, and then went back to the ancient texts, looking for potential prophecies.
Soon the trio was in the cemetery, looking the newly risen, and your typical vampire attacks.
~*~
Cordelia and Angel walked in silence; Angel because he always did, Cordelia because she just needed the silence.
Angel stopped unexpectedly, lightly grabbing her arm.
"What?" Cordelia asked in a hushed voice.
"Vampires, several of them. Headed this way."
Cordelia knew to trust his vampire senses, "I'm ready for them." She assured him patting her pockets, some life coming back into her eyes for the first time in weeks, "Let's kick some undead ass!"
They both pulled out stakes and were soon surrounded by eight vamps.
Cordelia was still scared of them, but had grown a lot better at fighting them, and more confident. She was getting some very good punches, kicks, and other means of bodily harm. A female vampire lashed out at her with a claw, ripping Cordelia's shirt and cutting her on her abdomen.
She shrieked, "Owww!" Cordelia was now majorly pissed. "Hey! I liked this shirt!" then she did a high kick and got the vamp on the chin, before stabbing the stake in her hand into the female vamps heart, totally annihilating her, but there was no time to even grin at her achievement.
~*~
Buffy, Spike, and Xander had been patrolling with not much excitement, so far they'd only slain two vamps collectively, then they heard a yell, and the sounds of some serious fighting. Buffy had sensed the vampires a few moments before, and had been waiting for their attack, which had apparently happened to two passerbies.
"Shit!" She yelled, taking off running.
They all ran as fast as they could to the fight, and didn't notice who their fighting companions were. Only that the two had done pretty good so far on their own, but they need some help, not that Cordelia was recognizable as it was though.
Xander and Angel were each dealing with their own vamp, unknowingly close, practically back-to-back. They both dusted their opponent and took a step back, waiting for the next vamp, bumping into each other. Xander and Angel spun around, stakes raised and ready.
Xander was shocked, "Deadboy? What are you doing here?"
Angel had seen who it was and started fighting a vamp to his right, "Hey Xander. I think that can wait."
Xander shook off his shock as he was attacked, but yelled out a warning, "Don't stake Spike! He's with us."
Angel was surprised, but the thought left his mind as he finished off another vamp.
Buffy saw Angel, she was momentarily shocked, then kicked at stake into an ugly jock's heart.
Cordelia was holding her own, until a huge vamp backhanded her and she went down, with her injuries, due to the facts that she was weak because of lack of sleep and malnourishment, she was unconscious before she hit the ground.
Angel saw it happened and roared, morphing into his vampire visage. He quickly took care of his vampire then pulled the giant off of her just before he sunk his fangs in. Angel de-vamped then picked her up, not liking the state she was in one bit.
Spike saw his Sire pull the ugly brute off of the long dark-haired girl, who'd been kicking ass quite skillfully he had noted, and dusted the beast.
At the same time Buffy took out the last vampire, who wasn't on her side.
She turned around and rushed over to Angel, whom had the obviously injured girl cradled in his arms.
Xander also went over to Angel. Xander was protectively holding his ribs, where some vamps had managed to land some powerful kicks. He just knew they were broken.
"Angel, what are you doing back?" Buffy asked breathless, not sure if it was from the fight, or seeing him once again.
Angel's face was pensive as he looked up, "We'll talk about it later. Right now I have to take care of Cordelia."
Only then did the Slayer and the two 'Slayerettes' finally recognize the fallen girl.
"Right, Giles will be waiting for us to come back with Spike. He's got a large supply of medical crap for when we come back all busted up." Xander told him, very worried about Cordelia. Forgetting all about Anya, who truthfully, he was only dating because he didn't really see a reason to break up with her.
"Let's go then you bloody fools! Sticking around isn't doing her any good." Spike told them rolling his eyes, taking off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please reply!
Post questions, comments, requests, or just tell me what ya think! You know, give me feedback!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dealing with Death
By Jules
Chapter 1
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
IAuthor's notes: This story takes place bAFTER/b Doyle died, and bBEFORE/b Cordelia started getting the visions.
Oh, and pretend the 'Initiative' (that's what it's called, right?) disappeared after Spike escaped (with chip in head) and has never been seen in Sunnydale again. That includes Professor Maggie and Riley.
Angel bDID/b go to the PTB (Powers That Be) and ask them to bring Doyle back, and as you probably know, they just told him "When one door closes, another opens." (GOD I hate them! Grrrr, I wish I could do that vampy thing then go vamp out on them!) ANYWAY, obviously he did not come back, but anything else that happened in the episode didn't happen. You know, the stuff with the empath-demon and stuff . . .
I'm not sure where in BtVS this is taking place, but I'm guessing between 'Pangs' and 'Hush'. Does that sound about right? I don't know. All I know is that it's after Thanksgiving.
Ok, I think that's everything! /I
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Cordelia looked around the office, her heart heavy. Everything reminded her of Doyle. It hurt too much to stay around anymore, she wasn't eating much, and she didn't sleep because every time she closed her eyes, she watched him die again. She needed to go home.
Angel knew it too. She'd been staying at his place since Doyle died, because going home to a ghost wasn't the best thing for her mental state right now. He knew she hadn't slept more then 18 hours in the past two weeks, if she was lucky. She was listless, and grievous. She didn't care what she looked like anymore.
Angel had insisted upon driving her, and giving her some money to get started with, which would sustain her until she found a job. Actually, he'd given her tons of money, secretly, so she wouldn't get mad for him giving her charity. He'd made some sizable deposits into her bank accounts, without her knowledge. Cordelia would live very comfortably the rest of her life, without ever having to work ever again, if she wanted. Angel felt responsible somehow for Doyle dying, because it should have been him, the pain Cordelia was in, he couldn't help but feel guilty that she couldn't stay in LA anymore, and live out her dream.
Cordelia had enrolled in some classes at the University in Sunnydale now too, after getting a scholarship, which again, Angel had done by pulling some strings behind her back.
She hadn't been in contact with any of the Slayerettes since she'd moved to LA, so she felt no need to contact them now. She'd found a great little apartment near campus too. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen, a main room, a bathroom, and great closet space. It was at a really great deal, so Cordelia had jumped at it.
They arrived in Sunnydale around nine pm. Most of Cordelia's stuff was waiting for her in the apartment. Angel helped carry the rest of her wardrobe and personal belongings and helped get her settled. He was going to be staying for a while as well, until she was strong enough to be on her own.
Cordelia carried a box of very special items into her bedroom, which she would unpack after Angel had set down the last case of clothing, and went back for the last few boxes. The bed was made, and she had placed the box on top of it. First she pulled out a picture of the whole Scooby Gang, before Xander and Willow had kissed, and after she and Xander had gone public, then another picture of just her and Xander she put them on the nightstand next to her bed. A jewelry box came next. She opened it and pulled out the locket he had given her and put it back on, a few books and magazines came next, a soft fuzzy teddy bear, which she placed between all the fluffy pillows on her bed.
Then her, two most cherished possessions these days, aside from the locket that Xander had given her. A picture of Doyle, and the video she'd made of him for the Angel Investigations advertisement, so soon before he died. Cordelia hugged the picture to her chest, and then put it also on her nightstand, facing the bed, so she could see it every morning. She ran her finger down his cheek through the picture frame, and swallowed the lump in her throat, then brushed away the few teardrops that had fallen from her eyes. She missed him so much. Cordelia knew that she would have done anything, just to see his smile again, be able to touch his hand, kiss him again, and just hold him. She had to wipe away a few more stray teardrops before she could return to the next room.
Angel came in and set down a very large box, "That's the last one."
"Thanks Angel." Cordelia hugged him, "For everything."
Angel didn't say anything, but Cordelia knew that he actually felt it was his duty to as her friend.
"I'm a little hungry, but there's no food here. I guess we need to go out." Cordelia sighed.
Angel was worried about her emotionless front she was putting up, but said nothing about it, only agreeing with her, "Right."
"Just give me 15 minutes to change." She informed him, "I ripped my shirt and I need to change it."
Cordelia returned from her bedroom a few minutes later, in a ponytail, no makeup, a pair of black Capri's, a long sleeve white and blue shirt, and tennis shoes. For Cordelia this was very careless dressing, so it was obvious that she wasn't caring what she looked like. She grabbed a cross and a few stakes putting them in her jacket pockets, and then she put on her short black leather coat.
By the time they found somewhere to eat, Cordelia had lost her appetite. The times when she was hungry were few and far between, and if you missed an opportunity, she was stubborn as hell.
"You have to eat Cordelia." Angel insisted.
"But I'm not hungry." She pouted.
"Cordelia, you haven't eaten all day, you've barely eaten a thing since . . ." Angel stopped, realizing what he was about to say. "You can't just, not eat."
"I'm just not hungry." She protested
"You're going to make yourself sick, please, at least a little something." He instructed her.
Cordelia glared at him, but still ordered some breadsticks to appease him. She ate slowly, and a little resentfully, staring at her plate. When she was done she crossed her arms and looked at him darkly.
Angel had watched her carefully, he could tell by the dark circles under her eyes she was exhausted, and he knew she hadn't eaten much all week either. She hadn't done much of anything, and she was starting to look ill.
"What?" Cordelia asked uncomfortably.
"You look tired." He made known, "Do you want to go home and get to bed?"
"No!" Cordelia yelped, quickly sitting up straight, then slouching down, "I can't sleep, you know that. Besides, I'm not tired at all."
Angel had a feeling she would say that, "What do you want to do then?"
"I need to take a walk, a really long walk."
"I'm coming with you. It's too dangerous to be out alone after dark around here."
"I know. I had a feeling you would be coming." She stood up, "I got some 'protection' in my pockets just in case."
~*~
b** 30 minutes earlier **
** Giles's **/b
World War III had erupted just a few moments earlier, and yelling was coming from practically all parties involved.
"Cor, I'm not gonna bloody run away!" Spike yelled.
"AAUUGGGHHHH!!!!!" Buffy screamed back in defeat, "Fine, you can come on patrol with us. But one wrong move and your chained back up in the bathtub."
"Awww man!" Xander whined, "I don't want him to come."
"It's not like I can bite you, you bloody moron. Besides, Slayer would kick my arse if I did."
"You got that right you bleached blond blood sucking fiend." Xander told him crossing his arms and looking at the vampire smugly.
"Well at least I don't need a Igirl/I to protect me."
"You do from humans."
"Can we go?" Buffy questioned the two men, who were acting like six-year-olds, clearly annoyed.
"Of course Pet." Spike opened the door and bowed at his waist, "Ladies first."
Buffy clenched her fists and her jaw, and then walked out the door into the night.
"Be careful." Giles called after them before Spike shut the door, "And don't kill each other." He muttered once the door had been slammed shut.
Willow gave him a sympathetic look, and then went back to the ancient texts, looking for potential prophecies.
Soon the trio was in the cemetery, looking the newly risen, and your typical vampire attacks.
~*~
Cordelia and Angel walked in silence; Angel because he always did, Cordelia because she just needed the silence.
Angel stopped unexpectedly, lightly grabbing her arm.
"What?" Cordelia asked in a hushed voice.
"Vampires, several of them. Headed this way."
Cordelia knew to trust his vampire senses, "I'm ready for them." She assured him patting her pockets, some life coming back into her eyes for the first time in weeks, "Let's kick some undead ass!"
They both pulled out stakes and were soon surrounded by eight vamps.
Cordelia was still scared of them, but had grown a lot better at fighting them, and more confident. She was getting some very good punches, kicks, and other means of bodily harm. A female vampire lashed out at her with a claw, ripping Cordelia's shirt and cutting her on her abdomen.
She shrieked, "Owww!" Cordelia was now majorly pissed. "Hey! I liked this shirt!" then she did a high kick and got the vamp on the chin, before stabbing the stake in her hand into the female vamps heart, totally annihilating her, but there was no time to even grin at her achievement.
~*~
Buffy, Spike, and Xander had been patrolling with not much excitement, so far they'd only slain two vamps collectively, then they heard a yell, and the sounds of some serious fighting. Buffy had sensed the vampires a few moments before, and had been waiting for their attack, which had apparently happened to two passerbies.
"Shit!" She yelled, taking off running.
They all ran as fast as they could to the fight, and didn't notice who their fighting companions were. Only that the two had done pretty good so far on their own, but they need some help, not that Cordelia was recognizable as it was though.
Xander and Angel were each dealing with their own vamp, unknowingly close, practically back-to-back. They both dusted their opponent and took a step back, waiting for the next vamp, bumping into each other. Xander and Angel spun around, stakes raised and ready.
Xander was shocked, "Deadboy? What are you doing here?"
Angel had seen who it was and started fighting a vamp to his right, "Hey Xander. I think that can wait."
Xander shook off his shock as he was attacked, but yelled out a warning, "Don't stake Spike! He's with us."
Angel was surprised, but the thought left his mind as he finished off another vamp.
Buffy saw Angel, she was momentarily shocked, then kicked at stake into an ugly jock's heart.
Cordelia was holding her own, until a huge vamp backhanded her and she went down, with her injuries, due to the facts that she was weak because of lack of sleep and malnourishment, she was unconscious before she hit the ground.
Angel saw it happened and roared, morphing into his vampire visage. He quickly took care of his vampire then pulled the giant off of her just before he sunk his fangs in. Angel de-vamped then picked her up, not liking the state she was in one bit.
Spike saw his Sire pull the ugly brute off of the long dark-haired girl, who'd been kicking ass quite skillfully he had noted, and dusted the beast.
At the same time Buffy took out the last vampire, who wasn't on her side.
She turned around and rushed over to Angel, whom had the obviously injured girl cradled in his arms.
Xander also went over to Angel. Xander was protectively holding his ribs, where some vamps had managed to land some powerful kicks. He just knew they were broken.
"Angel, what are you doing back?" Buffy asked breathless, not sure if it was from the fight, or seeing him once again.
Angel's face was pensive as he looked up, "We'll talk about it later. Right now I have to take care of Cordelia."
Only then did the Slayer and the two 'Slayerettes' finally recognize the fallen girl.
"Right, Giles will be waiting for us to come back with Spike. He's got a large supply of medical crap for when we come back all busted up." Xander told him, very worried about Cordelia. Forgetting all about Anya, who truthfully, he was only dating because he didn't really see a reason to break up with her.
"Let's go then you bloody fools! Sticking around isn't doing her any good." Spike told them rolling his eyes, taking off.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Please reply!
Post questions, comments, requests, or just tell me what ya think! You know, give me feedback!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~