By Misty Flores
Email: mistiec_flores@yahoo.com, mistyjox@hotmail.com
Series: the Winters Trilogy – but purposely written so it could also be a standalone
Rating: R
Genre: Angel/Cordelia – Buffy/Angel and Cordelia/Xander implied
Teaser: Years after the death of their true loves, a lonely Cordelia and Angel reunite to stop a new nemesis, and find themselves fighting a mutual attraction as they cling to the memories of their mortal lovers.
Crossover: Sorta. Highlander – but seriously, you do NOT need to be familiar with that.
* additional notes on previous parts
--
The Road Before Us – Chapter Seven
In the end, it was as simple as walking right in.
Cordelia never trusted simplicity – she had learned the hard way one too many times to never underestimate an opponent, and if it was that simple, then it was usually because they had something much worse waiting inside.
That said, Cordelia was more than wary when Angel knocked on the door, waited patiently until it opened, and then proceeded to smash his way through, with her having really nothing to do but walk right in.
The hallway was dark, and she never trusted darkness.
Candlelight flickered, shadows moving through the darkness, and she stood, ready, body straight and tall, the shivers creeping up her spine.
"Okay, now vampires I'm all cool with, Angel, but if you sucked me into a haunted house I'm so going to kick your ass."
All that earned her was a smirk, before the vampire moved in front of her, the trench coat swishing behind him as she followed, slowly, deeper into the house.
Taking in a breath, she took the data pad out with trembling fingers, unsure why she was so frightened, why NOW of all times she was having trouble gaining a clear head.
"You okay?"
"Fine," she muttered, reaching behind her belt and strapping on the photon light she had kept for just this occasion. "Give me a sec."
A button was pressed and the hallway was bathed in tinted hue.
"Thank God."
No ghosts, nothing evil or scary, just REALLY bad decorating choices.
Carefully, she moved the beam over the walls, swallowing in attempt to moisten her dry mouth.
"Okay, vampire hellhole. Angel you should know your way around, where to?"
He frowned, stopped a few feet ahead of her, head up, almost like an animal sniffing the air.
Closing his eyes, he waited, hands twitching as he looked down one hallway, and down another.
"This way."
"Wait." She came forward, the pad in her hand. "The tracer says he's this way."
"It's not that way."
"How do you know?"
The look he gave her plainly said 'duh'.
Right, vamps know their own.
How incredibly freaky was that?
"So, Angel do you get the same thing we do?"
"Huh?"
"You know, like a sixth sense? I mean with us it's the tingly sensation but-"
"Cordelia." He squeezed her forearm, and she clamped her mouth shut, looking down at the data pad.
"Angel, he's moving."
"This way."
She sucked in her breath, clenching her jaw as she looked back towards the other hallway.
Cocking her head, she turned, ignoring Angel's call as she walked toward the hallway.
And suddenly it overcame her, sweeping through her senses and making her almost nauseous.
"Cordy!"
Strong hands wrapped around her, and she was pulled back into a firm body, cold palms on her face, and intense brown eyes staring at her as Angel gazed at her worriedly.
"I'm okay. She's here. She's that way."
He swallowed, looking back where he came, and he finally bit his lip. "I have to go that way."
"Why?"
"I have to."
She narrowed her eyes, and then gently disengaged herself from him, stepping out of his arms, and squeezing his forearm as she took Katherine's sword from him, and placed the extra short saber she had brought along just in case.
"Here. I'll meet you."
He looked ready to argue, but she was already walking away from him, pushing open the door and descending the stairs to the basement, leaving him to stare at her with open apprehension.
--
Los Angeles, California, 2003
"He's late. Again. The first time *I'm* on time, and your hunka-broody-love is late."
Buffy stifled the smirk as she watched Cordelia pace back and forth in front of her on the sidewalk in front of Miyagi's, one of Hollywood's bright spots.
"Well, he's not the only one who's late. Your little hubby's MIA too."
"Yeah, but Xander… I kinda expected it."
Buffy raised and eyebrow and Cordelia gave a half hearted shrug, "Ever since I threw out his old wardrobe and made him get a new one – THANKS for that, btw."
Buffy gave her a thumbs up. "Always willing to help a friend in need. 'Sides, spilling hot kerosene and accidentally blowing up your bathroom when it was full of vampires – kinda fun."
Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Anyway. He's got this thing – spends literally, HOURS in front of the mirror. It's sad."
The wind that was rising from the Hollywood Hills flickered through Cordelia's bangs, and she ran her hands through it, pulling the coat around her tighter as her face softened and she came forward, leaning against the car door.
"We made these reservations and I'd just kinda like to be on time, is all."
"Cordelia, we couldn't even plan PROM."
A small, wistful smile came over the brunette and she shrugged. "I know. Don't you hate that? Nothing going as planned? Wouldn't you like, JUST ONCE, to … do something and have it… go … well?"
"You learn to let go."
"Dammit, you're always so… accepting."
"Are you kidding?" Buffy's blue eyes floated over the chic sushi bar and then craned her head, looking back to the bar across the busy Sunset Boulevard.
"I just learned to stop wishing for things I couldn't have."
Hazel eyes met blue, and there was a look, before the Slayer and the Immortal looked away, shifting feet.
"We're here! Sorry!" Willow Osborne almost tripped she was running so quickly, dragging Oz behind her as she gave them a harried smile. "The sitter was late."
"Ruppy was disagreeable," said the young husband behind her, nodding. "Ladies."
"Oz."
"Well you know, it doesn't even matter, Wills, because our hubbies are incognito," Cordelia said, breathing out a sigh.
"Oh. Well maybe they're doing something… together."
Everyone gave Willow shocked glances, and her eyes widened at the implication. "No! I mean! Not that thing they do together – cause they don't – do that." She whirled on Oz. "We talked about stopping me when I do that."
"Still like when you do that."
Willow gave him a smile, squeezing his hands before turning to her friends, who were now locked in very disturbing imagery.
"I mean… the planning. Might have been something… nice. For you."
"Oh. Highly doubtful. Angel's kinda the king of dumb planning."
"Oh yes, and Xander? Not much help in that department either. He earned a degree from the Angel University of Dumb Planning. He sat at the feet of the master and learned well how to plan dumbly."
"I think you don't give us enough credit."
Cordelia finally blew her breath out, turning on her husband, who stepped out of the limousine that pulled up right beside them. "TOOK you long enough."
"You think I wanted to get here on time, for Sushi? Please."
Buffy merely came forward, kissing her husband hello as he stepped out of the other side, coming around.
"What took you guys so long?"
Angel glanced at Xander, and the younger man seemed to puff up with pride, sliding his arms around the brunette and drawing her closer.
"Well… we figured – Los Angeles, Native town, do something native, and nice. So we're leaving this place."
"What?! NO!"
"COME on-"
"Angel!"
"Not eating raw fish, Buffy. Even I have standards."
"Xander!"
"Don't make me steal the sword and throw it in here, Cordy."
"Don't make me lop your head off with it! I have reservations, hey! Watch the hair!"
Cordelia was fuming, and Xander only smiled, pressed a kiss against her angry mouth and then suddenly the air was filled with trumpets and strumming guitars.
Cordelia turned, as a group of Mariachi stepped out of the car behind them, strumming violins, low baritones in harmonizing music floating toward them.
"Que linda esta la manana, en que vengo a saludarte. Que vimos todos con gusto, y placer a felicitarte."
Cordelia's mouth fell open, entranced by the sight and the music. A kiss pressed to her cheek and she heard whispered, "Happy Birthday, Cordelia," as Xander held her close, smiling at the band, pressing a single rose into her hand.
"El dia que tu naciste, nacierion todas las flores-"
"Hey what do you know," he said after a minute. "Something actually went to plan."
Cordelia whirled, where Willow was smiling happily with Oz. "You KNEW?!"
"We had to figure out SOMEWAY to get you here without you and your many minions knowing about it," Buffy said, keeping hold of Angel's arm.
And the beat changed, and suddenly a familiar beat came about with a distinctly latin take,
"Happy Birthday, to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Cordelia-"
When the phone rang, Cordelia grabbed it and threw it in the ice bucket.
--
His hands had curled into fists.
Angel looked down, closed his eyes, and uncurled them, forcing his feet away from his friend and down, a low growl involuntarily emerging from his throat.
He moved, knowing why there were no guards, why it had been so easy to walk in, knowing exactly why he had shivered with anger and why the scent had hit him so hard, so familiar.
All doubts as to who was behind it were completely thrown out of his head as he walked up the stairs he had once walked as Angelus.
The wood, withered and old, creaked and groaned beneath his feet, announcing his arrival as he moved through the hallway, into the main chamber.
"Was bloody wondering when you'd get here."
Angel's nostrils flared as he stood, the hands back into fists as he regarded his old companion.
"Hello, Spike."
--
Cordelia preferred both hands on her sword when she was fighting, but she had always made sure her wrist was strong enough for handling the weight on its own, keeping the other free for any other surprises that might have come her way.
As she moved, there was no sign of Nick, and the hitched in breath gave away her tension, the almost suffocating feeling that was crippling her breath and in a sense, her thought process.
Her eyes kept moving, glancing down at the makeshift map and then up at the maze of the basement she had entered in, and finally, when she had taken yet another wrong turn, she slipped the pad into her pocket, turned off her phone by flicking her ear, and began to let the sense take her.
She had only really helped another Immortal when she encountered Duncan, a fight against him that had ended rather quickly by some vampires who had chosen to take the easier of the two.
For that she was eternally grateful. Having at least a thousand years on her, Duncan could have taken her head easily.
It was nice, meeting someone like him, learning that other Immortals were also involved in helping, even if she was more involved with keeping herself alive than anything.
But what drew her to him first, what had made the blades cross, had been the innate tension that ran through their kind: there could be only one.
It was disconcerting, and hard to shake – she wondered if some of them ever were able to overcome it.
Her hazel eyes moved, pinning the closed door immediately, and she licked her lips, knowing what was on the other side of the door.
God, an immortal who could never die being taken captive by a bunch of vampires.
Buffet, anyone?
Her hand gripping the sword tighter, she reached for the knob, closing her hands around it, taking in a breath, and then turning.
"Oh, FUCK it. Just come in, take my damn head, why don't you! See if I CARE!"
Cordelia blinked, looking behind her to make sure she was the one being cursed at, and then turned to see the woman in the bed, bound and spread eagled, staring at her with anger.
"Uh… Katherine?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Cor- Chase. Chase Winters. I'm not here to lop your head off."
Katherine looked older than she did, early thirties maybe, with dark blue eyes and cascading brown hair. Her face was streaked with dried tears, but other wise, she appeared unharmed.
"Let's see. Immortal chick, clad in black, in a vampire hell hole, comes in carrying MY sword, unharmed, and me unarmed. Gee? Why don't I believe you?"
"Oh, yeah – this is picnic. Can you chill with the attitude please, and maybe speak a little louder? I don't think all the vampires heard you."
Coming forward, she heaved a sigh, as the woman struggled underneath her, when she raised her sword.
"FUCK! You know the rules!"
"Will you calm down! I'm just trying to cut the chains!"
"Have you tried the key?"
"The what?" Cordelia turned, and found the metal keys dangling from the door. "Oh. Cool."
She ignored Katherine's huff of exasperation and quickly began unlocking the cuffs.
Immediately the other Immortal gave a sigh of relief, pulling her arm back and kneading the wrist. "Shit that's uncomfortable."
"How the hell did you let yourself get kidnapped by a vampire, anyway?"
"Excuse me, who the hell are you?" Katherine said, narrowing her eyes at the younger Immortal. "It's not like this happens every day to me."
"Okay, well, let's go."
"What?"
"I'm getting you out of here."
"I'm not leaving!"
"What?!" Cordelia whirled, turning back as the other Immortal began to inspect the room, rummaging.
"I have something to take care of."
"Yeah. Getting out of here. Look I would love to stay and chat, but I gotta meet a friend, so- MOVE it, sister."
"WHO are you?" Cordelia rolled her eyes, running her hands through her short hair as she looked down the hallway, cursing when she heard voices.
"We have to go, NOW."
Reaching forward, she grabbed the Immortal by the arm, pulling her toward the door.
"I don't even know if I can trust you."
Cordelia paused, and without another word, reached into her coat and pulled out Katherine's sword, handing it toward her handle first.
Katherine's eyes met hers in surprise, and Cordelia only said frankly, "Okay? Let's go."
This time, the other Immortal followed her out.
--
The vampire had gotten better.
Angel was sweating as he slammed into the wall, feeling a painful ache shoot up his spine, ignore it to roll and duck under Spike's swinging hand, tripping the blonde vampire in the process.
"You know, Spike, as much of a Hallmark moment this is-"
"I know, I'm getting all teary eyed here, myself."
The vampire swung, and Angel blocked, only to have another fist crash into his ribs, making him grunt and swing back, cracking Spike in the temple, sending him faltering back.
It was so easy to fall back into old habits.
"Wait- so are we at least going to have the talk where you tell what you want with me?"
Spike seemed to consider, and then shrugged, giving a devilish grin. "No." He launched forward, a roundhouse blocked by Angel who swung with a swinging sidekick, knocking Spike back, spilling a couple of candles in the process.
"Damn this feels good!" Spike said, grinning ear to ear, cracking his neck and raising his arms wide. "Tell me you don't miss this!"
"I don't miss this."
"Liar." Angel stood, fangs glistening as he waited, watching as Spike moved, slumping back into his chair and throwing his leg over one of the armrests. "Want a drink?" He raised a goblet he plucked from the table. "It's fresh – Watcher blood."
Angel gave a low growl, circling the area, yellow eyes trained on his former companion.
"Because we have a history, I'll give you a choice, Spike, I can either stake you now, or let my friend behead you."
Spike merely took a drag from a cigarette, leaning his head back and taking a good look at the vampire with the soul.
"Everything's the same," he said breezily, "Even down to the poofy hair. Bloody hell, Angel it's been a hundred years, take off the damn ring!"
The fists clenched again, and Angel came forward, pausing when Spike smirked.
"Hear you got a little brunette we both knew with you. Pretty one, the cheerleader – never thought she'd amount to much but she's earning herself quite a name now-"He chuckled, a hearty sound. "Didn't even know she and that bitch Chase Winters were the same person until I ran into Darla."
At the mention of the vampire turned human turned vampire again, Angel began to picture several long sessions with holy water and Spike's chest as the canvas.
In two broad strides he had Spike by the throat, toppling over the chair and landing on top of the smaller vampire, knee against his esophagus.
"As much fun as this is, Spike, you're going to tell what this is about, right now."
"Angel?" He turned, distracted as the brunette entered the room warily, and grunting when a pale fist hit him on the temple, sending him flying off.
Cordelia visibly winced. "Sorry." Her eyes flickered over him to the now standing blonde in the leather duster. "Spike. Been a while."
"Cordelia. You look smashing! Have you been working out?"
"Yeah, actually! I have a gym-" she drifted off when Angel shot her a look.
"You two know each other?"
"Always did have a thing for brunettes."
"Isn't Dru enough for you?"
"I kinda killed Dru," Cordelia offered timidly.
Angel turned, eyes widened in shock. "WHAT?!"
Spike's smirk was gone, as he glared at the Immortal. "That's right. Staked the bloody hell outta her."
Cordelia looked almost defensive as Angel came forward. "Hey! Okay, at last check she was a vampire! She was evil! So you know, yeah, Mr. Pointy had a field day and besides, I'm sorry, but she is DAMN annoying with-"
"Where's Nick."
Angel's eyes flickered from Cordelia to the dark haired women who came in brandishing a sword, wearing nothing but a silk night gown.
"Who's this?"
"Chick in your vision. Katherine, Angel, Angel Katherine – and Spike – the Big Bad."
Spike gave a merry little wave. "Hello, cutie."
Katherine gripped her sword tighter, giving them all a scathing look. "Where the hell is my husband?"
"Ex-husband, baby. He's deader than a doornail."
"As in walking corpse?"
"We're getting out of here," Angel said, and Cordelia suddenly knew why, as about fifteen more vampires came into the room, stepping directly behind Spike.
"Angel! No fair – You get two and I'm left without one? Share the wealth!"
"Spike I will deal with you later," Angel seethed, pushing Cordelia gently behind him as he backed toward the door.
"Angel why are we running? Hello, three of us, armed! We could probably take them!"
The other Immortal stalked past him and he lunged forward, grabbing her and pulling her back.
In reflex the sword flicked toward his neck, and was met equally fast by a blade that blocked it before it could reach its destination.
"Attacking my friend is a big no-no, lady!" Cordelia glared, now in front of him.
"I'm finding my husband."
"Your husband is a vampire!"
"I know."
"GIRLS!" Angel grabbed both swords, yanking them out of their hands, and moving back.
"ANGEL!"
"DAMMIT."
"Oh, poofy! Don't run!"
Angel didn't listen, holding both swords, he broke into a sprint, making sure Cordelia and the other Immortal kept up, elbowing a vampire who tried to break through.
The two swords proved useful for mowing a pathway, and Angel stumbled through the doorway, holding it open, motioning wildly.
"Let's GO ladies!" Cordelia rushed past him, Katherine next and he bolted the door, moving with Cordelia to the car, pushing Katherine in. "Drive."
--
Cordelia swerved through the streets of London, confused and completely bewildered. "Okay, explain to me why we ran from Spike like a bunch of pansies."
"There was evil in that house," Angel said, eyes dark and thoughtful, gazing out of the window. "There was a reason he wanted us in there. Not just me, you. It was a trap. We weren't fighting on our turf."
The brunette sighed, finally pulling to a stop, turning to look at her friend. "So you're saying this thing isn't over."
He rubbed at his eyes, shaking his head after a minute. "I don't think so. I have to go back to Los Angeles, but I'll come back and-"
The car door slamming caught them both off guard, and Cordelia's head swiveled back.
"HEY!" Fumbling with the door, she stepped out, running after the Immortal. "Katherine!"
"Thank you for saving me, I have to kill my husband."
"Katherine-"
The sword flashed, and Cordelia froze completely when the dark eyes bore into her, the cold blade resting against her neck.
And she had left her sword in the car.
Smart, Chase. Really smart.
"Cordelia!"
Katherine was quiet, deadly silent, and Cordelia didn't dare move.
"I repeat, thank you for saving me. Now leave me alone."
"Cordelia-"
"Angel, shhh," she said immediately, never taking her eyes off of the Immortal. Shit. She should have known it wouldn't have been this easy. Taking in an unnecessary breath, she finally just nodded.
The blade wavered, and then moved away, and Cordelia didn't move as the Immortal walked away, turning a corner and disappearing.
"Are you okay?" Angel kept her close, cupping her chin and taking a better look at her neck. "Did she hurt you?"
Cordelia swallowed, felt her heart shudder, her gaze pinned in the direction of the lost Immortal.
"Angel, she's hurting… she's hurting so much."
--
"You don't have to do this."
He knew that his voice had come out raspy, thick with emotion and for once, Angel didn't try to bury it.
The hazel eyes of the Immortal captivated him, the sadness flickering behind them making his own heart shudder, as she gave him a tired, grim smile.
"I know why you had that vision. Of me. I'm the only one who could understand. Well… maybe you."
Her eyes moved toward his left hand, and he bit his lip, fingers grazing the band of solid gold.
Buffy.
"Can you imagine – if one day, tomorrow, today, she just… came back? Just like that?" Angel swallowed, looking up as Cordelia reached into her shirt, pulling out a solid gold ringing hanging on a delicate chain. "Can you imagine – knowing the evil he had become?"
Her eyes met his.
Angelus – Flashes of Buffy's watered eyes, of the night of bliss that had let lose the vampire who killed, battered and broke so many beings-
A demon that still existed within his own flesh, kept at bay only by a soul that filtered into his existence.
"The plane will take you directly to the roof of your hotel. They know where it is."
"Cordelia-"
"I can handle it."
"I don't want you to handle it." Angel reached forward, covering her palm gently with his colder one. "Cordelia that wasn't the only reason you were in the vision."
"It's the only reason I can believe. You have to go to Los Angeles. I have to stay here anyway, so… I'll find Katherine."
Her tone was final, and in the end, there was nothing for Angel to do but nod as he finally stood, legs aching with unseen weight. "I'll keep in touch."
"I'd rather you wouldn't."
At first the words wouldn't register. He mulled them over again, and unsure, looked at her face, but it was blank, there were no emotions relevant in Chase Winter's face, but she licked her lips, and looked down at her coffee cup.
"I don't know, how I'm going to come out of this, Angel. But you sought me out, and you… made me remember. And for that… thank you. I needed to remember. Why… I'm living. But right now- with Katherine… I don't know how that's going to turn out… and until then… I'd rather you… just finish your business."
"Cordelia-"
"I'll call you. I will," she said again when he only stared at her. "Stop it, Broody face."
He closed his mouth, and finally just nodded.
He didn't believe her, and she knew it.
But she only gave him a small smile, and he knew it was dismissal, and he turned, walking toward the jet she had chartered for him, walking away from his memories, away from the only facet of his past still living.
Cordelia had taken his burden, but it didn't make the dead weight of Angel's heart any lighter.
And when he turned, to give one last look at the former Cheerleader, she was already gone.
--
