Chapter 12: Love

Title: What's to come…

Author: Nikka

Rating: General (basically if you're old enough to watch Angel you can read this fanfic).

Disclaimer: Angel characters are not my creation (wish they were) they belong to Joss Wehdon and David Greenwalt. Other characters that are not familiar from the show do belong to me.

Spoilers: Angel season 3.

Summary: This is my version of how Angel season four begins. It starts right after season 3 ended.

Author notes: Hi, this is my first fanfic ever, so be kind. English is not my native tongue so you may find some spelling & grammar mistakes, you're more then welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story.

I still haven't seen Angel season 3 only read summaries so I had to make up a few things I didn't know, just so you'll know. The story begins right after Cordy went up to the sky and Angel to depths of the ocean.

Ho and have fun.

Status: Finished.

Previously on Angel:

At the hotel, Fred asks Gunn if Connor wants to join them for a snack. Gunn says Connor wasn't upstairs. Fred is concerned. She thinks they should probably tell someone. Gunn tells her he hasn't been able to reach either Angel or Cordelia. Fred doesn't think that sounds good. She looks around the empty lobby and wonders where everyone went.
Cordelia continues her journey as the shaft of light lifts her upward. When she reaches the top, there's a bright flash of light, the light shaft and Cordelia disappear, while Angel continues his journey into the depths of the ocean. (For understanding what's going here you really need to read the first chapters. It's hard to give a preview on them).

She didn't know what to answer what was the right answer? How was she to know?

"Cordelia, look inside your heart and tell us why was his life more important and precious then all others? You know the answer. You admitted it to yourself. Now say it out loud." Lindsey tried one last time.

"Your worship, this has gone on to long you must choose. The girl does not answer". The accuser said to the MISHPAT.

"Very well, we shell decided. By order of the powers to..."

"Wait". Cordy interrupted them. "I don't know the procedure but I think I have an answer to Lindsey's question".

"Your worship, this highly against all protocols and laws she cannot interup..."

"Enough! "The MISHPAT interrupted the accuser. "She will be allowed to speak. We seek the truth not revenge."

Cordy didn't say anything she was afraid to. "Tell us". Lindsey said to her softly.

Still she didn't speak. "It's o.k. You can speak, no harm will come to you". Lindsey reassured her.

"Angel has always been there for me." She started to speak with hesitation in her voice. "And yeah you're right he did try to kill me more the once and betrayed my trust more then once but he also save me more then once". She gasped and stopped for a moment. "Not just from monsters and demons but from life as well. He gave me a home when no else did. He gave me a job and a life when everyone else said no. He held me when I cried, he covered me with a blanket when I fell asleep. He showed me more compassion, tenderness & care then most people I know." She smiled remembering. "He made mistakes, all people do dead or alive". She smiled to herself by that remark. "No one's perfect, but he come's close."

She stopped lowered her head and said quietly, "Even when I loved my self more then others he accepted me, and cared for me." She took a big breath. "He loved me before I knew I could love. And I do. I LOVE HIM more then a friend, more then family. I love him for the life he gave me for the love he showed me and for being him. I will die before I see him hurt."

"I have no more questions". Lindsey said and walked back leaving Cordy to face the MISHPAT all alone.

"You have broken our laws. You ignored our warnings and you say you did all of that in the name of love? The MISHPAT asked without really accepting a replay. "We do not know love, we never felt it. But we acknowledge it's existence and it's power. You may return to your world with one condition." They stopped.

"What's the condition?" Cordy asked in hesitation.

"Justine must not be harmed. And this time if you'll disobey us we will take love away from you."

"Meaning what exactly?" she didn't understand.

"Angel will be killed". They replied.

"You will kill your own champion to save that killer? How could you?" she yelled at them.

"Enough!" a loud voice was hared across the room. This is our judgment if you agree you can return to your world. If you refuse you will stay here. FOREVER. Decide!" The MISHPAT ordered.

She was confused. If she stayed here, then she won't be able to help Angel. But if she comes back and losses her temper again Angel will die. She looked down for a moment then raised her head and said: "I agree send me back."

"There is no going back it's a one way ticket," Lindsey said to her from the back.

"I know, I agree. Send me back".

"Done". The MISHPAT answered.

She was back at the hotel, Justine still had her cross bow aimed at Angel's chest but Cordy was still far from her.

"You call this family? You must be sick. What? Do you think you're playing house?" Justine laughed.

"No we don't play we are a family and this is my home". Cordy got back to business like if she never left.

"Justine, let him go you don't belong here. This is not your family. I know Holtz was your family the only one you had since your sister died".

"KILLED. My sister was killed". Justine interrupted Cordy.

"I'm sorry. Since your sister was killed. I know you'd done anything for him even kill, but Holtz is gone now it's time to burry the hatters. Time to go on with your life and let this family heal its wounds." Cordy stopped and looked at Justine. Her eyes were wet, she was crying. Apparently Cordy stroke a nerve. "Justine? It's time to tell the truth. Please, let my family live." Cordy pleaded with her.

"I can understand how you can love the others, I mean they're human and not killers but how can you love him?" Justine asked her while glancing at Angel.

"You don't choose your family and don't chose who to love. You ought to know that."

"But you love him more you love him differently then the others why?" Justine really seemed to not comprehend the love Cordy & Angel shared secretly for one another.

"How did you know?" Cordy asked surprised, she didn't understand how Justine noticed.

"Come on I'm not stupid. You obviously love him and he loves you and in the romantic sense. I'm sure everyone else already know except the two of you". Odd is it sounds everyone started to smile and giggle they all seem to agree with Justine and they all thought it was amusing that the heartless bitch as Cordy called her noticed it.

"I... I don't know". Cordy was embarrassed. That was the last thing she expected.

"It's o.k. Princess we already know, don't feel occurred". Lorne literally read her mind.

Cordy held it together and remembered the situation at hand. Angel just lay there quietly waiting to hear Cordy's reply.

"So why do you love him?" Justine asked again reminding her of where they left off.

"You can't explain love. Love is what it is. You can't rationalize it. You can't change it. There are a million and one reasons why him above all others. I could say it's because he always cares about me, or for the way he believed in me when no else did, or for the life and the family he gave me."

Angel seemed upset he hoped she loved him for what he is and not for the things he gave her.

"But I also love him for been brave, honest, loving, silly at times". She smiled and also did he. "I love him for being him the good and bad. I simply do". Cordy looked at Angel he had a huge smile on his face. She knew he waited so long to hear her say that, that he didn't even care Justine might kill him in a few moments.

"Will you die for him?" Justine asked.

"Yes". She said. "But I was hoping no one else needed to die".

So what do you say Justine? Can we end this now?"