[Disclaimer] It should go without saying that I do not own any of these characters. But I'll say it anyways. I do not own any of these characters.

[A/N] I dont really follow BtVS, so excuse me if some of my facts are off.

********************************

"12...13...14..."

"Shut up, Cordelia." Angel muttered.

Cordelia ignored Angel's complaint and continued counting sheep. "15...16... I told you before... hotel."

"Dawn invited us. its only polite to accept. And why do you get the couch?"

Cordelia turned onto her stomach and looked at Angel laying on the floor. "Cuz I had to have a baby with Wilson Christopher, thats why."


"I didn't like that any more than you did."

"Both of you, shut up." Gunn muttered into his pillow.

Fred mumbled her agreement from the loveseat. Wesley was already out. Cordelia looked around Buffy and Willow's house. It was a nice house. But she'd take her comfy little rent-controlled apartment any day. She already missed Dennis. Minutes passed and soon the faint sound of Gunn snoring could be heard. "Angel?" Cordy whispered, "Angel.... ANGEL"

"WHAT, Cordelia?" Angel growled.

"Did you growl at me?"

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to see if you were asleep."

"I was."

"I thought you didn't sleep at night."

"I dont have much of a choice, now is there a point to this or can I ignore you now?"

Cordelia didnt respond.

"Cordy? Cordelia, I'm sorry I-" Angel was interrupted by a soft snore coming from the couch. "...Goodnight, Cordelia."

*****

Willow watched the interaction with interest. She was having trouble sleeping, so she snuck downstairs to get some milk. But she couldnt help watching. She knew Cordelia was a different person since she left Sunnydale. She remembered seeing her when she had to go bring the bad news about Buffy. But, if it were possible, Cordelia seemed to have grown even more. Willow shrugged and stood up to go to the kitchen. She was glad Angel had a friend. Not even the legendary Angel deserved to be alone.

*****

"You're sure this will work?"

"You don't think I've done my homework? No faith?"

"This isn't a game, you know. This has to be perfect."
"I'm telling you, everything will be fine. Angel has a...history here. Kidnap the slayer, and Angel will come running, leaving his crew in L.A..... with the child. Then, we'll get our hands on that kid once and for all."

"And revenge will be mine..." Holtz took one last look around, then turned to Sahjhan. "This had better work."

Sahjhan disappeared into the fog as Holtz continued walking past the looming sign:


WELCOME TO SUNNYDALE

*****

"Who wants pancakes?" Willow asked from the kitchen.

"We also have toast!" Buffy said after her. A few grunts of approval were heard from the living room.

Cordelia smiled at them from her place in front of the microwave. "How long have you been living here?" She asked.

"Since college." Willow said as she pulled some milk out of the fridge.

"Thats nice." At that point, the microwave went off.

"We'll be having breakfast in a minute." Willow said, "You dont have to make anything."

"Oh, this isnt mine. Its Angels. He's such a wuss, he wont drink the blood unless 'the chill is taken out of it'. The scourge of Europe for 100 years and he can't stand a cold breakfast."

Buffy was shocked. "You make him blood? He drinks blood in front of you?" (He refused to do that with me) she thought, hurt.

Cordelia didnt notice as she checked the temperature and walked into the kitchen. Buffy turned to Willow.

Willow tried to ignore her hurt look. "They've worked together for three years."

"We worked together too."

"He's been by her side during child birth."

"I can have kids..." Buffy pouted.

"Angel will always need you. Don't worry about it."

*****

"So, Nancy boy." Spike said from the couch, "What really brings you back to Sunnydale?"

"You mean other than the coming apocalypse?" Angel asked, already annoyed, "Yeah, ok, you caught me. I'm here on a friendly visit. We both know how much I enjoy your company."

"So, you're going back as soon as this big bad thing is gone, right?" Xander asked.

"You don't need to worry. I won't be staying any longer than I have to."

"Sunnydale not good enough for you?"

"I have things to worry about in L.A." Angel stood up. He was getting tired of the two of them already. He looked to the loveseat where Fred sat, holding Connor, with Dawn staring at the babe in awe.

"He's so cute." Dawn said.

At that point, Cordy walked in, hot mug in hand. "Pigs blood, 98 degrees." She said as she handed it to Angel.

"Sweetheart," Spike chirped, "Could you be a love and get me a mug of that?"

Cordelia ignored the remark, and Buffy came in, followed by Willow.


"Breakfast is done." Willow said, proud. "Its good. Yummy."

Angel looked at Cordelia. "Where's Wes?" He asked.

Cordy sighed. "With Giles and Gunn. Looking at dusty old books. What he does best.... good?"

Angel sipped the blood. "You put cinnamon in it again."


"Yeah. I thought you might need an extra kick... you are up waaaaay past your bed time, after all."

*****

Buffy watched the exchange in silence. She watched Cordelia give Angel a smile, and Angel returned it. (He should do that more often) She thought. His smile literally lit up his whole face. (Too bad I never got to see it) "Cmon guys." She interrupted, "Food is getting cold."

Angel stood up and took Connor from Fred. The baby's face lit up when he saw Angel. Buffy felt a sharp stab of pain. She had wanted children with Angel. He would be such a great father. But he was a vampire. Vampires couldnt have kids. So she had to give up any hope for a future. But whenever she saw Angel holding Connor, she couldnt help but think.

What if?