1 Title: The Walking Wounded
2 Author: Spike 'n Cordy
Summary: When Angel's soul becomes permanent but he neglects to tell the group and they hear it from Spike. How will they react?
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Authors notes: This is the last chapter, I really hope you like it. I want to thank everyone who replied through out this story, so don't stop now. I would really like to hear what everyone thinks. So please review.
Timeline: Set after Reunion and Crush
Chapter Fourteen: Up and Sputtering
Cordelia, Spike and Wesley were giving a terrible rendition of The Beatles "Eight Days a Week" when Buffy walked back into Caritas. The three continued to sing but noticed her tear streaked face. She quickly whispered to Willow and Xander and the three of them left.
They trio finished the song with less enthusiasm then when they had started, and returned to the now empty table.
"I wonder what that was about," Cordelia voiced.
Wesley finished his drink, "Probably another fight. They'll make up by morning."
The expression on Angel's face told them different. When questioned he answered honestly, "We broke up."
Trying to be cheerful Wesley said, "Not to worry, you'll be back together before you know it."
"No we won't. She's moving out. I think she might go back to Sunnydale."
"Well go stop her," Cordelia pushed him towards the door.
He removed himself from her grasp. "It was a mutual decision."
"Is this because of the prophecy? We all told her that it isn't going to happen any time soon." Angel shook his head, "Then what's the problem?"
"She wants children, and I can't give them to her. Children and my life just don't mix." Cordelia cleared her throat. "You know what I mean. Until I become human and there's no longer a threat from the demon community I'll never stop fighting. That's no world to raise a child in."
"This just came up," Wesley pondered.
"She had hoped to have children with me even though it seemed impossible. Then the prophecy said that one day I will have a child, just not with her. I think she also wants to grow old with someone, not grow old while your husband stays the same age."
"So when is she leaving?" Cordelia asked softly.
"Tonight," he buried his head in his folded arms. "The three of them are going to get what they can out of the hotel tonight. Then come back for more later."
"Do you want to stay at my place, Angel?" Wesley suggested.
"Um.Yeah, sure. But all I want to do right now is get horrendously drunk."
Spike, who had been silent through out the conversation, finally spoke, "That sounds like something I can get on board with.
~~~~~
Five Weeks Later
Cordelia was sitting behind her old desk at the Hyperion Hotel typing on the computer. Wesley was leaning against the registration counter filling out the last pages of a case they had just closed. Angel and Spike were in the basement sparing. Angel Investigations was in full swing again.
Everyone was disappointed that Gunn had decided not to come back to work for them, except Spike. He didn't care what happened. Gunn was happy with his crew, but still hired his services to the A-team on occasion.
Once Angel got through 'brood' faze, he started the ever enjoyable 'kick Spike's ass' faze. Granted Spike won more than him, but he still enjoyed it.
Wesley was beyond ecstatic at the way things had worked out. He was back at the hotel, happy, and among friends. This was his dream come true.
Cordelia leaned back in her chair and absently patted her stomach. She was also overjoyed that she was back at the hotel. As much as she loved her time on the road with Spike, she was glad to have a stable home again. She and Angel talked about the prophecy some more but decided to let what happens happen.
Spike was actually content at the hotel. He felt not only welcome, but wanted. For the first time in his life he wasn't being cast aside for the bigger better deal. He was it. Cordelia always made a point of hugging him hello and goodbye, which he loved. Granted she did it with Wesley and Angel too, but she still made Spike feel accepted.
Cordelia ran a hand through her long brown hair and scrutinized what she had just downloaded. "Um.Wesley, I think you should see this."
Pushing away from the counter he stepped over to her workstation. He peered over her shoulder to the screen, "Oh my."
"Yes, I know."
"That can't be right," Wesley turned his head to the side to view the screen from a different angle. "Are you sure the screens not flattened."
"Yes. That's what it looks like."
"What are you guys looking at?" Both of them jumped around to see Angel and Spike had creeped up on them.
"Geez you guys. I'm going to buy a couple bells to put around your necks."
"What the hell is that?" Spike glanced at the computer screen.
"That is a picture of Melina and Keldo's first eight children. Lorne e-mailed it to me," Cordelia said smiling.
"What the hell. That must have hurt," Angel truly felt sorry for Melina even though he had never met her.
Cordelia sat back down, "According to Lorne, she had little pain and is excited about raising her new family." She inspected the picture, "Oh, I think that's a head."
"Really, I thought that was an ass," Spike scaned the picture again.
"I have no clue which end is which," Wesley stood and went back to his work.
Angel gave the picture a once over and concluded, "That's just not natural."
Cordelia chuckled, "Well I'm sure Melina thinks they're the most beautiful things in the world. Maybe she'll name one after-"
She was cut short because of the pain ripping through her head. "Holy shi-" She gripped the arms of her chair and nearly ripped them off. When the vision stopped she took a few deep breaths then returned three worried looks. "The usual big scary, hiding out under city hall. He's opening some kind of portal. All I can feel is that it can't be good."
"Let's go." The Angel Investigations team stood and headed for battle.
The End
2 Author: Spike 'n Cordy
Summary: When Angel's soul becomes permanent but he neglects to tell the group and they hear it from Spike. How will they react?
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Authors notes: This is the last chapter, I really hope you like it. I want to thank everyone who replied through out this story, so don't stop now. I would really like to hear what everyone thinks. So please review.
Timeline: Set after Reunion and Crush
Chapter Fourteen: Up and Sputtering
Cordelia, Spike and Wesley were giving a terrible rendition of The Beatles "Eight Days a Week" when Buffy walked back into Caritas. The three continued to sing but noticed her tear streaked face. She quickly whispered to Willow and Xander and the three of them left.
They trio finished the song with less enthusiasm then when they had started, and returned to the now empty table.
"I wonder what that was about," Cordelia voiced.
Wesley finished his drink, "Probably another fight. They'll make up by morning."
The expression on Angel's face told them different. When questioned he answered honestly, "We broke up."
Trying to be cheerful Wesley said, "Not to worry, you'll be back together before you know it."
"No we won't. She's moving out. I think she might go back to Sunnydale."
"Well go stop her," Cordelia pushed him towards the door.
He removed himself from her grasp. "It was a mutual decision."
"Is this because of the prophecy? We all told her that it isn't going to happen any time soon." Angel shook his head, "Then what's the problem?"
"She wants children, and I can't give them to her. Children and my life just don't mix." Cordelia cleared her throat. "You know what I mean. Until I become human and there's no longer a threat from the demon community I'll never stop fighting. That's no world to raise a child in."
"This just came up," Wesley pondered.
"She had hoped to have children with me even though it seemed impossible. Then the prophecy said that one day I will have a child, just not with her. I think she also wants to grow old with someone, not grow old while your husband stays the same age."
"So when is she leaving?" Cordelia asked softly.
"Tonight," he buried his head in his folded arms. "The three of them are going to get what they can out of the hotel tonight. Then come back for more later."
"Do you want to stay at my place, Angel?" Wesley suggested.
"Um.Yeah, sure. But all I want to do right now is get horrendously drunk."
Spike, who had been silent through out the conversation, finally spoke, "That sounds like something I can get on board with.
~~~~~
Five Weeks Later
Cordelia was sitting behind her old desk at the Hyperion Hotel typing on the computer. Wesley was leaning against the registration counter filling out the last pages of a case they had just closed. Angel and Spike were in the basement sparing. Angel Investigations was in full swing again.
Everyone was disappointed that Gunn had decided not to come back to work for them, except Spike. He didn't care what happened. Gunn was happy with his crew, but still hired his services to the A-team on occasion.
Once Angel got through 'brood' faze, he started the ever enjoyable 'kick Spike's ass' faze. Granted Spike won more than him, but he still enjoyed it.
Wesley was beyond ecstatic at the way things had worked out. He was back at the hotel, happy, and among friends. This was his dream come true.
Cordelia leaned back in her chair and absently patted her stomach. She was also overjoyed that she was back at the hotel. As much as she loved her time on the road with Spike, she was glad to have a stable home again. She and Angel talked about the prophecy some more but decided to let what happens happen.
Spike was actually content at the hotel. He felt not only welcome, but wanted. For the first time in his life he wasn't being cast aside for the bigger better deal. He was it. Cordelia always made a point of hugging him hello and goodbye, which he loved. Granted she did it with Wesley and Angel too, but she still made Spike feel accepted.
Cordelia ran a hand through her long brown hair and scrutinized what she had just downloaded. "Um.Wesley, I think you should see this."
Pushing away from the counter he stepped over to her workstation. He peered over her shoulder to the screen, "Oh my."
"Yes, I know."
"That can't be right," Wesley turned his head to the side to view the screen from a different angle. "Are you sure the screens not flattened."
"Yes. That's what it looks like."
"What are you guys looking at?" Both of them jumped around to see Angel and Spike had creeped up on them.
"Geez you guys. I'm going to buy a couple bells to put around your necks."
"What the hell is that?" Spike glanced at the computer screen.
"That is a picture of Melina and Keldo's first eight children. Lorne e-mailed it to me," Cordelia said smiling.
"What the hell. That must have hurt," Angel truly felt sorry for Melina even though he had never met her.
Cordelia sat back down, "According to Lorne, she had little pain and is excited about raising her new family." She inspected the picture, "Oh, I think that's a head."
"Really, I thought that was an ass," Spike scaned the picture again.
"I have no clue which end is which," Wesley stood and went back to his work.
Angel gave the picture a once over and concluded, "That's just not natural."
Cordelia chuckled, "Well I'm sure Melina thinks they're the most beautiful things in the world. Maybe she'll name one after-"
She was cut short because of the pain ripping through her head. "Holy shi-" She gripped the arms of her chair and nearly ripped them off. When the vision stopped she took a few deep breaths then returned three worried looks. "The usual big scary, hiding out under city hall. He's opening some kind of portal. All I can feel is that it can't be good."
"Let's go." The Angel Investigations team stood and headed for battle.
The End
