Four Corners
Part: 5/?
Rating: PG-13
Couples: Same as previous chapters.
Spoilers: Set in Angel around 'Billy'. Set in Buffy after 'Wrecked'.
Feedback: Don't forget to review once ya read it!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. The storyline was derived from the episode "Secrets and Lies" in ER. The name of the fic was taken from the episode "Four Corners" also in ER.
Chapter 5
~*~Cordelia~*~
" Are you certifiably insane? What the hell possessed you to stab Spike in the gut!?! I know you two have issues…but *Angel*!" I yelled at Angel.
There I was having a nice intimate conversation with Buffy and then it was suddenly interrupted by the cries of our stupid vampires. Damn them and their stupid manly pride!
" Cordy…h-he said sumthin…" Angel muttered.
" He said *something*! That's the basis of you two *bleeding* everywhere!" I screamed, anger flashing in my eyes.
I hate it when Angel gets hurt. All the pain and agony he goes through. Although, I must admit I like patching him up. I get to touch his body and…
" Well…ouch!" Angel screamed, thankfully interrupting my dirty thoughts. He was screaming 'cos I prodded a finger into his wound.
" Stop being such a baby! This is nothing compared to the crap I've had to fix before." I responded as Angel kept wincing.
" It hurts." Angel stated, his eyes never looking directly at me as he spoke.
" Spike's in way worse condition than you. Why'd you stab him anyways? What'd he say?" I asked as I attempted to stop the bleeding. Without my first aid box, the attempt was pretty much a bust.
" Uhhhh…" Angel stammered in response and turned away from me. I saw his eyes gaze at Buffy and Spike.
" Are you even listening to me?" I shrieked in frustration.
Ever since we had been entrapped in this hellhole, Angel hadn't bothered to listen to me or even acknowledge my presence. All he did acknowledge was *Buffy* or *his* pain.
" Yeah Cordy." Angel responded neglectfully.
I doubt he had heard me. His eyes were fixated on Buffy attempting to stop Spike bleeding. Spike was hollering in pain and Buffy looked completely lost. Angel was smiling at Buffy…*grinning* almost. I'm thinking he liked her perplexed expression.
I got the hint.
" Do you want her over here instead?" I whispered, a hint of sadness in my voice. I hope he didn't catch my tone. Well, he probably didn't even hear me!
" What?" Angel asked as his head instantly turned back to me. Ahh…so he had heard me!
" Would you like Buffy here instead?" I repeated slowly. I was biting out the words.
Sure, Buffy and I had bonded and become friends…but that still didn't stop me from being *completely* jealous of her!
Angel finally looked directly at me…in silence. I sighed, understanding his answer, and got up.
" C-Cordy…" Angel stuttered in protest, but I was already on my way over to Buffy and Spike.
" It's okay. I understand. Besides, Spike needs my help more than you do." I replied back as I marched over to Buffy and Spike.
I looked down to see the state of the floor, covered in blood. Hey, at least I wouldn't have to clean it up!
My eyes suddenly caught sight of a white box next to the trunk. I wonder what's in there?
A moan from Spike suddenly cut through my thoughts and I continued to walk towards the two.
" Hey Buffy, how 'bout we switch? I think I can handle Spike." I said as I plopped down next to Spike on the bed.
" Ummm…okay. Thanks." Buffy stammered as she walked off.
" Oh and Buff, could you on your way check that white box over there?" I hastily added.
" S-sure." Buffy stated confused. I was too. Why was I so curious about that box?
" So what we got here?" I asked, turning my attention quickly to my 'patient'.
" What does it look like? I have a hole through my chest!" Spike yelled.
" Hmmm…does look like it. How deep did Angel dig in?!?" I mumbled as I examined the wound. It was a mighty big hole.
" Hey Cordy…look. It's a first-aid box!" Buffy exclaimed as she brought the white box over to me.
" Really?" Wow, talk 'bout luck! No wonder I got suspicious.
I examined the contents of the box. This was going to help me *so* much!
" Here Buffy, take this to Angel." I ordered the blonde slayer handing her a few supplies from the box.
" Ummm…what do I do with it Cordy?" Buffy asked, embarrassed. I smiled at her.
"Just clean the wound and apply the bandage. I'm gonna need most of this to repair Spike."
It was weird that someone like Buffy, who suffered from many serious injuries in her line of work, didn't even know how to repair an injury.
She was dependent on *my* help.
That felt nice.
Buffy nodded and walked of towards Angel, who looked over at her and suddenly smiled. A wave of jealousy flooded through me. Why didn't he look at me like that?
~*~Angel~*~
Why isn't Cordy responding to my smile?
She's giving me an annoyed look instead. Why? All I did was smile at her! And why wouldn't I? I love it when she takes control of stuff…especially as easily as she had just done. And of course I had to smile when she had to teach *Buffy* something.
" Hey Angel." Buffy said uncomfortably as she came over to me.
" Hey."
" Cordy said we should switch. She's really great with the whole medical thing isn't she?" Buffy responded as she plopped onto the bed.
" Yeah, that's Cordy. Great." I responded with a smile plastered on my face, as I looked over at my seer again who was expertly repairing Spike's wound.
Damn Spike! I wanted to kill him for having Cordelia touch his bare chest. And what the hell did Cordy mean by besides Spike needs me more than you? I needed her! A lot!
" Uhhhh…are you sure you don't want us to switch again?" Buffy asked me, a sly smile on her face.
" What?" I asked, looking at her utterly perplexed. Why did the two of them keep thinking I wanted them to switch!
" Nothing." Buffy responded, as she quietly giggled and began to fix my wound.
Did I miss something?
" So tell me…how'd this happen? Spike wasn't one to tell right now…he's more into the hollering in pain."
" Spike's like that. Acts tough…but really isn't. Owwww!" I declared before yelping in pain as Buffy cleaned my wound. Spike had really dug deep into my flesh.
" Yeah…god knows how he got that way." Buffy said with a smile, watching me wince. Hey what did she mean by that? Was she implying that Spike took after *me*?
" I had nothing to do with raising him." I stated defiantly. I didn't want people thinking that Spike was the way he was because of *me*!
" Uh huh. So…what's up with you and Cordy?" Buffy asked, catching me totally off guard.
" W-what? Me and Cordelia?" I spluttered.
Please…oh please God…don't have let Buffy notice my feelings for Cordy too!
" Yeah. It's obvious Angel. C'mon…whenever I've seen you or you've seen me, you have never even *mentioned* Cordy. And now when she's here…now that I've *seen* her…I think I know why."
" What do you mean?" I asked awkwardly.
" You've never told me 'bout her…'cos you're afraid of what I'd say."
" Say about what?" I enquired. Was she getting closer to uncovering the truth?
" If you talked about her…you'd be afraid I'd notice. Notice what's quite apparent now."
" What?" I was getting agitated with her indirect answers.
Please, don't be right!
" I'd notice what I think Spike has. As much as I hate to say it Angel...you *like* her." Buffy responded and I groaned. Dammit…she was right! Was I that obvious?
" I don't *like* her." I protested. I might as well keep denying it, until Cordy *finally* notices.
" Yeah…right! Angel I know you…and I know you're different around her then when you're with other people."
" She's my best friend. That's it." I stated firmly.
" What's the best basis for a relationship than friendship?" Buffy said. I looked at her shockingly.
What the…?
" Buffy, are you persuading me to be with *Cordelia*?" I spluttered. Maybe being cooped up in this room this long was getting to Buffy.
" I just want you to be happy. And I want her to be happy." Buffy responded casually.
Ok, I'm utterly shocked!
" You want Cordelia to be happy? With *me*? *You*?" I repeated. Buffy stifled a laugh before explaining.
" Angel…she makes you laugh, she makes you smile. And I know that I rarely could. The little I've seen you two together…I know you're happy, but I also know that both of you want more."
" *Both* of us?" I asked in confusion and half in enthusiasm.
" Oooh yeah…she's got the hots for you." Buffy declared.
" You sure?" I replied, with a huge smile on my face.
" Oh yeah. Don't tell me you didn't notice? When did the two of you become so damn thick?" Buffy asked mockingly.
" Don't know."
" Seriously, Angel she needs you right now…more than you can imagine. Tell her the truth. Before it's too late."
" Too late?"
~*~Buffy~*~
Great, now I've put myself in an awkward place.
First I'm blabbing on about how much I want Angel and Cordy to hook up. Now I go and mention something, which is meant to be confidential between Cordy and me.
" Buffy, what do you mean by too late?" Angel repeated. I looked into Angel's eyes and saw a mass of emotion in them.
He was worried. He was happy. He was scared. He was shocked.
" Buffy?"
" I mean…if you never tell her how you feel, she might move on."
" To another guy?" Angel asked worriedly.
" Yeah…sumthin' like that." I mumbled in agreement. I knew that was far from the truth. I wanted to tell Angel some of the stuff Cordelia had told me a while ago. Stuff that she hadn't directly said…but made quite clear.
Why hadn't he eavesdropped the one time he should have?
" Are you sure 'bout this Buffy? If I were to move on to Cordelia, would you be all right with it? Despite our, you know, history?" Angel asked. I sighed.
" I'm sure Angel. What we had…what we were…it was the past. A past, which shouldn't keep us, tied down forever. I do love you…I always will. A big part of my heart will always belong to you. But, I moved on didn't I? I had Riley. And it's fair that you move on too." I declared, holding Angel's hand in mine.
" What about Spike? You planning on moving on with him?" Angel suddenly asked me. I quickly let go of his hand in bewilderment.
" Spike?"
" He loves you." Angel said quietly.
" So? I *can't* love him. He's…he's a *thing*." I spat in disgust. It was a line that I had shot at Spike a few times already.
" He's a *vampire*. Like *I* am." Angel replied in a thick voice. I paused…damn. I forgot whom I was talking to.
" I can't love another vampire, Angel. I'm the vampire *slayer*." I declared. When I'm uncomfortable, for some reason, I always bring that up.
" And I'm a *vampire*…I *shouldn't* love a human. But I have. *Two* in fact! You can love two vampires." Angel responded.
" Are you *defending* Spike? Didn't you just puncture his stomach because he *did* love me?" I retorted.
" I found out what depths he would go to for you. And believe me Buffy…he'll go deeper."
" Angel, are you trying to hook me up with Spike?" I asked, a smirk on my face. Angel smiled back.
How ironic, here Angel and me were. Sunnydale's most tormented couple. Certified soulmates. And we were trying to hook each other up with our nemeses.
*Former* nemesis…in my case.
" I'm not trying to hook you up with Spike. The two of you are *already* doing it." Angel scoffed. I responded by playfully whacking him on his shoulder causing him to wince in pain.
Oops…forgot about the slayer strength.
" Sorry." I apologised, touching his wound to make it feel better.
" It's ok. I'll heal. Ummm…Buffy, why *are* you having sex with him?" Angel quietly asked. Where'd that come from!
" I d-don't think I should tell…" I began uncomfortably.
" Just tell me. I can handle it." Angel replied sincerely. I sighed. I was always honest with him.
" B-because when I'm with him…I forget about everything else. I forget about the hell that is my life." I replied.
" So *you're* using *him*. To think I thought it was the other way round. How have the times changed?" Angel declared mockingly.
" Don't make me stab a stake through that wound. I can't repair well…but I can injure well." I threatened as Angel backed away. We sat in silence.
I was suddenly aware that Angel and I had never really talked this much before. We never joked around. With us it was always saving the world and each other and…making out. Being in love. Our relationship was always melodrama.
We were never originally friends. We had never been friends.
And now it felt like we were.
I was right when I said that friendship was the best basis for love. That's why Cordelia and Angel together were different…and happy. They were best friends. That's why they *could* make a relationship work.
That's why Angel and I *couldn't*.
" Angel, wanna be friends?" I asked him. Angel turned to me with a smile.
" Friends? Sure." Angel then clasped my hand in his and we sat together, comfortably. I didn't have the urge to kiss him, hug him…to *be* with him. I felt comfortable.
And that's when I finally understood, what Angel probably had too.
We were truly over.
~*~Spike~*~
" Will you stop fidgeting?! You're almost as squirmy as Angel!" Cordelia scolded me. She was busy at repairing my wound. I must admit, the girl's good…compared to the others that have fixed me. Which is ummm…no one. Within a few minutes she had practically fixed my whole wound.
Though it still stung like *hell*.
" Squirmy? The former Scourge of Europe? Angelus?" I chuckled.
" Oh yeah he's a big baby when it comes to mending him. Whines and moans. Sometimes it takes me an hour to fix a measly injury." Cordelia replied nonchalantly. I raised my eyebrow.
An hour for a small injury.
An hour with Cordelia touching his bare body involuntarily.
Hmmm…Angel's pretty smart.
" Oww…painful!" I groaned, as Cordelia jabbed a finger.
The bleeding had stopped, but the pain remained. Buffy was right…I *was* crap at healing. I remember when I broke my legs, although I faked the injury half the time, it still took me forever to regain my strength.
" No duh! It's a pretty bad cut. Angel must have been really pissed off at you."
" Sumthin' like that." I mumbled. I was tempted to retort back with:
' Actually, he's pissed off at *you*, but he was taking it out on *me*.'
" I'm almost done." Cordelia stated as she put on another bandage. Her eyes suddenly, distractedly, glanced at Buffy and Angel. I followed her eyes and saw the two of them holding hands on the bed, eagerly talking to one another.
" Ummm…a-all done." Cordelia stammered as she gazed at the former flames. She removed her hands from my injury.
" Thanks." I replied. I could tell she was hurt again. What was Angel doing? Didn't he just admit to me he loved *Cordelia*?
He had *better* not be putting the moves on Buffy too!
" You okay?" I asked concerned. There was just something 'bout the girl that made me worry for her.
" Oh…oh yeah. I'm fine." Cordelia said absent-mindedly.
" You don't look it pet." I proclaimed. She sighed.
" I'm fine Spike. Don't worry. But aren't you slightly…you know?" She asked me.
" Hurt?" I finished for her.
" Yeah."
" I love her. Yeah. But for some reason…I *don't* find Angel threatening." I declared. After that little battle it was quite clear to me that Angel wasn't that obsessed over Buffy as he used to be.
He was more obsessed over Cordelia.
" Really?" Cordelia asked excitedly, as she turned to me.
" I don't think he's still in love with her *that* much." I continued.
" But they're holding hands." Cordelia noticed.
" So, doesn't mean anythin'. Why don't we hold hands? Doesn't mean we've got sumthin' going on." I stated. Cordelia looked at me a bit baffled and then produced a grin on her face.
" But it'll make 'em jealous. Let's make them jealous!"
" You *want* to make *Angel* jealous?" I asked deviously. I knew she liked him! The brunette blushed…big time.
" Ummm…uhhhh…"
" Save it hun. I already know how you feel." I said, grinning.
" Don't you dare tell him!" She threatened me.
How alike were her and Angel?
" I won't. So, are we going along with the jealousy?"
" Hell yeah." Cordelia responded as she quickly clasped my hand in hers. She clenched onto it so hard that her knuckles turned white.
" Cordelia, we're trying to make them jealous…not break my hand off!" I snapped at her as she quickly apologised and loosened her hold. We eagerly turned to look at the two to see if they noticed.
They hadn't…*yet*.
" We need to get their attention." Cordelia exclaimed.
" You're right. Take your top off…that'll get attention." I responded mischievously. She whacked me on the arm.
" Shut up! I have a plan." She hastily whispered. She suddenly began to cackle (?) loudly.
What was she doing? It sounded like one of those cats that Dru had fun torturing.
" Are they looking at us?" Cordelia whispered, midst laughing. She was attempting to look at the two from the corner of her eye.
" Pet, who *wouldn't* be looking at you? What the bloody hell are you doin'?" I exclaimed.
" Spike! Just play along." She demanded through gritted teeth. I looked at her with a nuh-uh look. She batted her eyelashes and I suddenly found myself fake laughing along with Cordelia.
I'm weak! I can't help it!
Our eyes casually turned to our partners to notice Angel seething and Buffy shocked.
" Plan worked." Cordelia replied, before cracking up for real and I followed her.
Oh balls! I think I made a mate. (A/N Friendship-wise!)
~*~*~*~
" Lindsey, look at that!" Lilah whined as she pointed to a screen with a close-up of Cordelia and Spike laughing.
" So?" Came the dry response from her associate.
" *So*? Your plan's not going so well!"
" They were fighting a while ago." Lindsey responded imperturbably.
" A *while* ago. And why the hell did you supply them with a first-aid kit?!?" Lilah bit out.
" I thought they'd need it." Lindsey said coolly.
" Need it? Lindsey…we're here to *destroy* them. Not assist in patching them up."
" Lilah, they've only been in there for an hour or so. We wanted to torture Angel…and we are. They'll fight again."
" Lindsey, these people are very fickle. Look at those two…they were yelling at each other moments ago and now they're holding hands for gods sake." Lilah stated pointing at Angel and Buffy.
" And those two…they didn't even *know* each other and *they're* holding hands!" She continued, pointing at Spike and Cordelia. Lindsey quietly stared at her as she gulped down her drink and whipped out her cell phone.
" What are you doing Lilah?" Lindsey sighed.
" I'm going to phase two." She pronounced as she started to talk to the person on the other line.
" Phase two?" Lindsey repeated, shooting up in his seat.
" Yes. Bryan, go to phase two. And…put it on full blast." Lilah snickered evilly.
" Full blast? Lilah…" Lindsey spoke, a worried expression on his face, as Lilah cut him off.
" Oh and send a message to Linwood. Tell him to come here ASAP. He has to see this for himself." Lilah continued. Lindsey's anxious expression changed to a sadistic smile as he listened to Lilah.
Lilah, after progressing with a few more orders, switched off her phone and turned to Lindsey.
" Once again Lindsey…I fixed up your mess." Lilah replied with a smile and walked out of the room.
" No Lilah. You just did me a favor." Lindsey stated as he took out his own cell phone.
" Bryan…"