Realisations 4: Pain
By Kyizi, the Diva of Darkness

Disclaimer: Joss, I'll fight you for 'em

Let me know what you all think!

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She was pacing. Her heels were clacking heavily against the Hyperion's stone floor. He couldn't stand it. She was driving him crazy…in more ways than one. He was sure she was wearing these short skirts and skimpy tops on purpose. She had to know what she was doing to him, tight? Right, he meant right.

She was still pacing. He watched as she tapped the nail of her index finger against her teeth. Her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration. He was ready to snap. Then she stopped.

He sighed, *Peace at last* ...his thought was interrupted.

She was pacing again.

"Cordelia!" he stood up and she jumped.

"What?"

"What's wrong?" he moved towards her.

"Nothing's wrong."

"Then could you please stop it?"

"Stop what?"

"The pacing, the tapping, the nervous babble. You've been sounding like Willow in high school since Gunn left."

"Hey!" she frowned, "Actually, thanks. You just compared me to the brainiest person in the whole of my high school. My looks and her brains…"

He smiled and shook his head, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, why would anything be wrong?" she shifted nervously, but flashed him a big fake smile, hoping he wouldn't press the matter…it didn't work. He had a playful look in his eye…it was kind of scary actually, she'd never seen him look playful before…

He smirked to himself and decided to have a little fun, "No reason," he moved closer to her and she stepped back a little, "I just wondered why you're so nervous all of a sudden." He placed his hands on her arms and gently drew circles with his thumbs. Her heart began to beat faster, but he wasn't playing anymore.

*Maybe she's not as immune to me after all* he pulled her closer, leaning forwards as she tilted her head to meet him. She took a sharp intake of breath as his lips almost touched hers. He watched as her eyes fluttered closed.

She grabbed her head and Angel pulled her into his embrace as the vision hit her. Her body began to convulse, but she didn't appear to be in any pain. He was worried, last time there had been no vision and this time, no pain, and he doubted the PTB were simply suffering from delayed reactions.

He gritted his teeth as the vision continued, it was taking too long. He cradled her against him as she continued to stare with unseeing eyes, her lips eliciting small gasps every now and then as something was flashed before her eyes.

*He said it was only the beginning…* Angel repeated over in his head. Hoping that the Hosts words would bring him some form of comfort as Cordelia continued to thrash in his arms.

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Wesley was running. It was a pretty comedic sight to see the, usually proper, English man running down the street like a pansy, clutching his hat to his head with one hand and dragging along a squealing Fred in the other. He'd had that Eureka moment, he knew exactly what the Powers were doing and he knew exactly what was going on with Cordelia's visions…well, he thought he could babble through that part and at least make it sound like he knew.

Turning the corner, the Hyperion came into sight and he saw Gunn leaning against his car, holding the scroll that Wesley had had him fetch from his apartment. Waving the scroll at him, the younger man had stood up straight, motioning at his watch.

" 'bout time too." Gunn said as Wesley and Fred stopped before him, clutching their chests and grasping for air. "Now, you gonna tell me what this is all about?"

"He…he had a Eurika moment." Fred said, her breathing still somewhat erratic from the sudden bout of running.

"Oh." Gunn said as they began walking to the door, Wesley frinally able to stand upright.

"Now all we have to do is hope that Angel and Cordelia haven't killed each other in our absense. Things have been getting rather tight between them lately." Gunn snickered and Wesley rolled his eyes at the man, grabbing the scroll. Pushing the door open, they were greeted with the sight of Angel holding a thrashing cordelia on the floor of the lobby.

"What happened?" Wesley said, crouching down beside the vampire, grabbing a hold of Cordelia's leg before it hit him.

"She had another vision, like last time, only different."

"Different? Different how?"

"This time there was no pain."

Gunn frowned, "Sorry to break this to you Angel, but she sure looks like she's in pain to me."

"This isn't the first vision." Angel said softly, glancing at the before turning his attention back to his seer.

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She had suddenly fallen to the ground clutching her head, clawing at it as she writhed in agony, flailing her arms around, the pain so unbearable that she couldn't think. She hadn't even registered that she was within a tight embrace as she screamed in agony, the searing pain in her head clutching at her, surrounding her, devouring her.

After what seemed like an age, the pain ebbed away, leaving only a dull ache. Well, what she called a dull ache. She was sure any normal person would still be in agony. Groaning she rubbed her head, only now able to register what she had seen. Angel...

~x~x~x~x~x~

Angel soothed her, rubbing his hand along her back as he whispered soft reassurances. Suddenly he felt her turn and look at him. Her eyes penetrating him, wide and full of shock.

"Cordy, what's wrong?" he asked softly, almost afraid of her answer.

"Angel," she gasped, "I…" her eyes teared up and she turned away from him. It was then that she noticed they weren't alone. Wesley was beside her, staring at her with concern, as were Gunn and Fred, although it seemed that Gunn was holding Fred at a slight distance. God, she must look awful.

"Cordelia, what happened?" Wesley asked softly, helping her to her feet as she reached out her arm.

"Nothing," she replied, cursing her stupid legs as they gave way beneath her, causing her to tumble into Angel's embrace.

"I've deciphered the scroll. I know what's happening…and it has to end tonight. Angel's soul will be anchored." Wesley replied happily. Angel's eyes widened in shock as Wesley, Gunn and Fred congratulated him.

Cordelia pulled away and headed for the stairs. She needed to sleep and she doubted she'd make it to her appartement. Heading up the stairs, she didn't turn at Wesley's call.

"Don't you want to know what's going to happen?" Wesley asked her, confused by her reaction. "Cordelia, this is a big thing. Angel will no longer have to worry about releasing Angelus, his soul will be…"

She turned to face Angel, staring at him, hurt in her eyes. "Angel's soul is already anchored." She whispered and turned back to the stairs.

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END PART 4

I just want to point out that the "tight" at the start was a typo that I was told I 'had' to keep in!