Part: 15/?
Author: PsycGurl
Rating: PG-13
Couples: C/A

Spoilers: Since I haven't exactly mentioned this. I have changed most of the timeline and stuff. Now set in season three of Buffy…around the episode 'Enemies'.  Visions aren't going to be particularly up to Hell's Bells and Sleep Tight in future chapters, there will *probably* be references to other episodes past those. Don't trust me right now though…I'm still unsure of what I'm putting in future chapters.

Disclaimer: Characters do not belong to me.

Feedback: Hopin' for a lotta reviews!! (hint!hint!)

CHAPTER 15

DREAMS-ANGEL

Angel walked into his mansion and brushed his leather duster off…wiping traces of the three vampires he had just dusted. He went into his room and stripped down to his boxers and lay down in his bed. He thought of the day's events and wondered why his future contained Cordelia and not Buffy. His hand then absently touched his cheek and he replayed the kiss again. Overcome with exhaustion…Angel dozed off.

~*~*~*~

Cordelia is working behind the registration desk, glancing at Angel every once and awhile.

Angel: "What do you want to say?"

Cordy: "Me? Nothing. What makes you think I want to…"

Angel: "Because I know you."

~*~*~*~

Cordelia: "Angel, please, I know you and ever since you came back from your grief-trip I can tell something's not right. And obviously it's not -- Buffy's dead."

Angel: "I am okay."

Cordy: "Then what's the problem?"

Angel: "That I'm okay. That losing Buffy  didn't kill me, that I could deal with it. In all those years no one ever mattered, not like she did. And now she's gone. Forever."

Cordy: "And you're still here."

Angel: "Yeah. And it feels like I'm betraying her somehow."

Cordy: " You're a living, breathing -- well a living, anyway -- good guy who's still fighting and trying to help people. That's not betraying her, that's honoring her."

~*~*~*~

Angel slightly smiled.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "You're the one I'm worried about."

Cordy: "Am I a bad person? Am I just a horrible person? Because I know I can be snippy sometimes."

Angel: "This isn't happening because you're bad. - If anything it's because you're strong. Stronger than you realize."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Don't you come at me through Cordelia ever again. You play that card a second time and I'll kill you."

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "What if that guy you freed is someone or something that's truly terrible? Wolfram and Hart won this time and it's all my fault."

Angel: "It's not about winning, Cordelia, it's about what's at stake. And in this particular scenario you were way more important than winning. - I can't worry about that guy I set free. I did what I had to do. I'll just deal with the consequences when they happen."

~*~*~*~

Angel's smile broadened a little (well as much as an emotionally stunted vampire could).

~*~*~*~

Cordy: " She's got the big puppy love. I mean, who wouldn't? You're handsome, and brave, and heroic, emotionally stunted, erratic, prone to turning evil and, lets face it, a eunuch."

Angel: "Hey, how can you…I'm not a eunuch."

Cordy: "Angel, it's just a figure of speech."

Angel: "Find a better one."

Cordy: "I just mean that sex is a no-no for you. Because of this whole 'if you know perfect bliss you'll turn evil' curse. Really no cure for that, huh?"

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "You know, there is your business life and then there is your social life, and everybody knows that you keep those two things sepa..."

Cordy trails off as one of the male health club members walks by.

Cordy: "I'm gonna go see if he knows anything."

Later Cordy is talking to four guys: "There could be follow-up questions. I'll need some home phone numbers. Why don't we start with you, Benny?"

Angel comes up behind her and leans in close to her.

Angel: "I'm gonna check something out."

Cordy: "Bye."

Angel looks at the four guys, starts to leave then turns back to Cordy.

Angel: "Maybe when you're done with your work - here - you can pick me up. - Okay."

Angel leaves.

Cordy: "He's just someone I work with."

~*~*~*~

A little snicker crept out of the vampire's mouth.

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "This is totally like him. Doing the mystery dance with some cheap blonde?"

Fred: "Brunette. She was a cheap brunette."

Cordy: "You're right. This isn't like him."

~*~*~*~

Fred: "The man who can have everything but love. - Well, maybe in some ways you're better off, because love is…well, in a way it's everything. But it's also heartache and disappointment…and those are good things to avoid."

Cordy comes hurrying out and Angel and Fred turn their heads to look at her.

Cordy, a bit breathless: "Angel, Willow's on the phone…She's alive! Buffy's alive!"

Angel and Fred look at each other for a beat then Angel jumps up and runs into the hotel after Cordy.

~*~*~*~

Gunn: "How'd it go?"

Angel: "I think those two pretty much summed it up. To be honest…I really don't wanna talk about it."

Cordy: "But…ah, Angel…we're your friends. (Gives him a big, friendly smile) and, and it-it's not healthy to repress stuff like this. You-you need to share your - pain, express those feelings of grief and longing or…the curiosity is gonna kill me!"

~*~*~*~

A relieved expression fluttered over Angel's visage once he knew Buffy would be alive in the future.

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "Pfft! Sneaking off, right. Fred can barely tie her shoes without Mr. 'oh, you're my big, fat hero!' around."

Angel: "You think I'm fat?"

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "Next up: multiple stab wounds. Angel!"

Angel jumps of his stool and hurries over to the settee.

Angel: "Uh, it's my turn. Oh, yay!"

Cordy: "What a dork."

~*~*~*~

Dylan: "No, no. There was a chick here. She was cute, brunette. Well, she said that a melodramatic guy named Angel would eventually show up."

Angel: "Cordelia…thinks I'm melodramatic?"

~*~*~*~

Angel grinned (yes, grinned!).

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Well, that thing that Billy brought out in others? - The hatred and anger…that's something I lost a long time ago."

Cordy: "Even when you were evil?"

Angel: "I never hated my victims, I never killed out of anger, it was always about the - pain and the pleasure."

Cordy: "Huh. So I guess you could say that your demoness makes less petty than humans. Almost noble - I mean, in a twisted, dark and really disturbing kind of way."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "You know, I've been around a long time…"

Cordy: "Which reminds me. Next birthday, you think we could skip the two-hundred and fifty odd candles on the cake and the inevitable fire marshal and just go and just go with a little song?"

Angel: "And I've never known anyone like you."

Cordy: "Well, duh!"

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "You're off your game. It's because of the prophecy Wes and Gunn are trying to get their hands on. You think the end is coming."

Angel turns back to face her: "The end is not coming. Someone is always uncovering some ancient scroll, and they're always saying the same thing: that something terrible is coming. Do you know how many of these things I've seen in my very long life?"

Cordy: "Four?"

Angel: "Three. But there's nothing to worry about."

~*~*~*~

Fred: "Kye-rumption."

Angel: "What's it mean?"

Fred: "It's when two great heroes meet on the field of battle and recognize their mutual fate…when I see you and Cordelia sparring Kye-rumption always comes to mind."

Angel after a beat: "Me and Cordelia."

Fred: "I know. She's such a hero, with the visions and the courage. It's only natural that you and she would be drawn to one another.

Angel: "Oh, whoa, wait a minute. There's nothing going on between me and Cordelia."

Fred: "Nothing but Moira. Moira is the gut physical attraction between two larger than life souls."

Angel: "Ha. No, there is no attraction. Cordelia is a friend. Someone I work with. That's all."

~*~*~*~

The vampire with a soul fidgeted in his sleep.

~*~*~*~*

Wes: "Both. In his case it meant that some day the vampire in him might die, but the human in him might live."

Fred: "That he would be like a normal man?"

Wes: "Yes."

~*~*~*~

Angel raised an eyebrow in surprise.

~*~*~*~

Angel laughs: "See? You're funny! And I, well I get off a good one every once in a while, but you…"

Cordy, sipping her coffee: "Angel, are you trying to say you love me?"

Angel: "What?"

Cordy: "I love you too."

Angel: "You do? When did this…"

Cordy: "You guys love us and we love you. They were all saying it earlier. Just in case this prophecy comes true and we all die."

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "Hey, what are friends for?"

Darla: "If you ask me, they're for knocking you up and leaving you high and dry."

Angel spins around to see a very pregnant Darla standing on the top landing leading down into the lobby from outside.

Darla: "Hello, lover. Long time no see."

Angel: "Darla."

Cordy: "Darla?"

Wes: "Darla!" weird

Fred: "Who's Darla?"

Gunn: "Angel's old flame from way back. The one that died and came back to life. She's a vampire."

~*~*~*~

Shock consumed the vampire.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "This is impossible."

Darla: "Tell me about it - daddy!"

Cordy: "You slept with her?"

Angel: "Vampires can't have children. Wesley?"

Wes: "Ah, no, he's right. It's not possible."

~*~*~*~

Lorne: "What happened here?"

Cordy: "Angel boned her."

Angel: "Just once. Just the one night. Ah, just the two or three one times that one night…"

~*~*~*~

Lorne: "It could be anything. A child born to two vampires…"

~*~*~*~

Gunn: "Well, we do know that Darla is pregnant with something!"

Angel: "That's biologically impossible."

Lorne: "And mystically unfair. You've fought long and hard for good. If your destiny is to spawn something evil…"

Angel: "I don't see how anything spawned by Darla and me could be good."

~*~*~*~

Angel lay in his bed, stunned.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "How's she doing?"

Lorne: "Well, she's weary. The poor thing looks like she's about eighteen months pregnant. Hope they're not twins."

Angel: "Not her. Cordelia."

Lorne: "Oh, ah, I sense that she's - hurt and pissed what with the lying and deception and et cetera. You should probably stay out of her way for a while, huh?"

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Are you feeling any better?"

Cordy: "Yeah. You don't have to stay with me."

Angel: "Gunn's gonna be right here. I'm not gonna keep telling you how sorry I am. I'm gonna tell you - that she'll never do it again."

~*~*~*~

Angel frowned.

~*~*~*~

Darla: "Come on! Do it! (Angel hesitates) Do it!"

Angel slowly lowers the stake and looks down at Darla's belly and hears a heartbeat. Angel slowly steps back from Darla. Darla lunges, grabs a hold of Angel's jacket and shakes him.

Darla: "Do it! Do it! Make it stop!"

Angel gently restrains her, wrapping her tightly in his arms and pulling her up against his chest.

Angel: "The child. The child has a heartbeat. It has a soul."

Darla flailing wildly: "No! Not my child! No!"

Angel: "Our child. Our child. Our child. That's why you've been craving purer and purer blood. That's why it's been driving you out of your mind. It has a soul."

~*~*~*~

Angel almost gaped in disbelief.

~*~*~*~

Angel: " I was thinking about the last time you were here."

Darla: "Mmm - that. Kind of hard to forget."

Angel: "I know. I've tried."

Darla: "Hey, you're the one that came in here all 'the world is a cold and lonely place.'"

Angel: "I had a bad day."

Darla: "So, you threw me through those glass doors, slammed me against the wall, pushed me onto the bed and took what you wanted."

Angel: "It seemed like the thing to do - at the time."

~*~*~*~

Wes: " We had a bit of a breakthrough with the Nyazian Scroll translation. I thought you should know. The Tro-clan isn't a person or persons. It's a confluence of events."

Cordy: "Which means it not only involves you, Darla and the child, but other horrible things we don't know about."

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "I see it."

Darla: "My little parasite."

Wes: "It's - it's human. Human as in - a boy."

Angel: "Boy? Gonna have a son. (A slight smile creeps across Angel's face) I'm gonna have a son. Me. A father. To a son."

~*~*~*~

Angel smiled…so far his future wasn't all that bad. What else could go wrong?

~*~*~*~

Holtz: "Angelus."

Angel turns around and sees Holtz.

Holtz: "I've been looking for you."

~*~*~*~

Wes: "Holtz? The vampire hunter that tracked you and Darla..."

Angel: "Through the late seventeen hundreds, yeah."

Fred: "Maybe he's part of what's supposed to rain down ruination upon mankind. The Nyazian Prophecies did say that the Tro-clan was going to be a confluence of events."

Cordy: "And the sudden appearance of an eighteenth century vampire hunter in the twenty first century does seem pretty confluey."

Fred: " That's the tragic beauty of a cosmic convergence. I-I mean, he just plays his own small part. He-he comes here looking for Angel and Darla, and in the process ends up finding Angel's unborn child, who, as it turns out, wasn't evil at all as we feared, but was actually meant to be some sort of Messianic figure. But Holtz kills it before it's even born and his vengeance somehow triggers the end of the world! Or not! It could go either way."

~*~*~*~

Angel groaned and cursed himself. He should've known, living on the Hellmouth, to never say "what else could go wrong?"

~*~*~*~

Darla: " It wants to come out. I can feel it. It's ready. It's just - I can't let it. I can't let because... because..."

Angel: "You love it."

Darla: "Completely. I love it completely. I-I-I don't think I've ever loved anything as much as this life that's inside of me. I don't know what to do."

Angel: "Well, you-you'll do the only thing that you can do. - You'll have it. You'll have it and then..."

Darla: "What? We'll raise it?"

Angel: "Why not?"

Darla: "What do I have to offer a child, a human child, besides ugly death?"

Angel: " What I do know is that you love this baby, our baby. You've bonded with it. You've spent nine months carrying it, nourishing it..."

Darla: " No, I haven't been nourishing it. I haven't given this baby a thing. I'm dead. It's been nourishing me. These feelings that I'm having, they're not mine. They're coming from it. Angel, I don't have a soul. It does. And right now that soul is inside of me, but soon, it won't be and then... I won't be able to love it. I won't even be able to remember that I loved it. (Starts to cry) I want to remember."

~*~*~*~

Darla: "No? It's really not, is it? We did so many terrible things together. So much destruction, so much - pain. - We can't make up for any of it. You know that, don't you."

Angel after a beat: "Yeah."

Darla: "This child - Angel, it's the one good thing we ever did together. The only good thing."

Angel buries his face in his hands, still holding onto Darla's, takes a sobbing breath.

Darla: "You make sure to tell him that."

Darla is holding one of the splinters of wood and buries it in her chest, gasping. Angel lifts his head and stares as Darla turns to dust, leaving a naked baby lying in the rain, crying.

~*~*~*~

The vampire moaned in astonishment.

~*~*~*~

Sahjhan: "You can't just let him walk away! Not now! Not after what you swore to me!"

Holtz: "I swore that I would show no mercy. And I won't."

~*~*~*~

Angel frowned…again.

~*~*~*~

Lorne: "Wow. I'm sensing a serious 'mama bear' vibe."

Cordy: "Yeah, we're all still waiting our turn."

Lorne: "I get it. Lookee don't touchee? - I see he's got himself a little scratch..."

Lorne reaches towards the baby's left cheek, but Angel pushes his hand away.

Cordy: "Here, let me put a little ointment on it."

Angel takes the ointment from Cordy.

Angel: "I-I I got it. I got it."

~*~*~*~

Angel leans down over the cradle: "You know what, you're fed, you're changed. I hold you, you cry. I put you down, you cry. What do you want me to do here? (The baby cries.) I'm a terrible father. (Picks up the baby) I can't even get him to stop crying."

Lorne: "Yeah, well, it's getting a little tense - your vibe, that is. The incredibly anxious one that's been coming of you in waves ever since he was born. He's deeply connected to you. If you're wound this tight, how do you think he's gonna feel?"

Angel: "Hey, he's not even a day old and he's got an enemies list. How would you feel? Wouldn't you be a little edgy?"

Lorne: "Yeah. I'd also be in awe. Look at him."

The baby continues to scream.

Angel: "Hey. Shh."

Angel makes a face and silly noises.

Angel: "Do you like that?"

The baby continues to scream.

Angel: "Okay. I only got one more in me."

Angel sighs and morphs into vamp-face. The baby looks up at him, stops crying and after a moment its eyes start drooping. A big smile spreads over Angel's face.

Angel: "Yeah, that's my little guy! You like that, don't you? A bootchee-wootchee..."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "No, I wasn't watching him like that - I was just - watching him. (Cordy smiles) He - looks a little bit like me, don't you think?"

Cordy: "Oh, yeah. Look at that brow. He's a miniature you. Why don't you hand him over for a while, catch some shut eye."

Angel: "No. I'll sleep - when I know he's safe."

Cordy: "Which will be when? Around never? - Angel, I understand you wanna protect him - but you gotta let go a little. Share part of the responsibility. You can't be everything for him."

Angel: "I'm his only family. My job now is to be everything for him."

Cordy: "Really? - Okay. Follow me. Come on."

Cordy takes a hold of Angel's elbow and leads him towards the garden court.

Angel, never taking his eyes off the baby in his arm: "Where are we going?"

Cordy: "Come on."

Cordy leads him out of the Hyperion. Angel stops before they leave the shadows of the building.

Angel: "Cordelia…"

Cordy: "We're going outside, where your son is gonna wanna go play. Where you have to rush him to the hospital if he gets sick in the daytime. But I see your point. You can't go outside during the day like other parents because - you're a vampire. And even if you weren't - you can't do everything for him."

Angel, looking down at the baby, stretches one hand out into the sunlight.

Angel: "If he has to get to the hospital at noon (Smoke starts to rise from his hand) on the sunniest day of the year, he'll get there (Looks at Cordy, his hand still smoldering in the sunlight) even if I don't."

Cordy: "Angel, (Pushes his hand down into the shadow) stop, Angel…"

~*~*~*~

A look of determination flowed over Angel's features.

~*~*~*~

Doctor: "I see. Well, his height and weight are in the ninety percentile. We gave him his vitamin K and his PKU and he's doing very well. We don't seem to have his - what's his name?"

Cordy and Wes look at each other.

Angel walking in: "Connor. His name is Connor."

Doctor: "Connor. Thank you. Mr. (looks at the papers) Angel. (the nurse hands the baby to Angel) And congratulations."

~*~*~*~

Angel curls up protectively around the baby as Cordy stretches out her hands.

Angel: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa - dirty people. Not touching the baby."

Cordy: "But pig-drinking bloodsuckers are okay? - I meant that in a nice way. Okay, I'm gonna go wash my hands, but when I get back I get first dibs on baby snuggles."

~*~*~*~

Angel smiled.

~*~*~*~

Angel: " You really piss me off, you know that? I thought we trusted each other. But you've been lying. MRI's and CAT scans? It's been going on for over a year. Why couldn't you let me in? I could have helped you."

~*~*~*~

Angel raises his head: "No. This isn't gonna happen. (Gets up) I don't care how many favors you have to call in. I don't care how many gods you have to cross. You have a connection to the Powers That Be and you're gonna find me a way to talk to them. Understand?"

Lorne backs up a step: "A-angel honey, it-it's not that easy. I mean, contacting the Powers is a muddy, not to mention dangerous, area. But this is a - this is a bit much to ask."

Angel: "I'm not asking."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Did you get the information?"

Lorne holds out a piece of paper. Angel takes it, grabs his coat and heads for the door.

Lorne: "Angel, all kidding aside, this isn't something to be taken lightly. Only a champion can deal with the conduit."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "I'm not going anywhere until I get my message to the Powers That Be. My friend - Cordelia - has visions given to her by the Powers. They're killing her. I want the Powers to take them back. - Let her go. She's suffered enough!"

Suddenly Angel flies across the room to smash into one of the walls.

Voices: "Suffering? Does it know suffering?"

Angel flies across the room to smash into the opposite wall then drops to the floor.

Voices: "Yes it does. - The Powers owe nothing. Send it away. Send it away."

Angel picks himself back up: "I'm not finished."

~*~*~*~

Voices: "Its pleas are pointless. Her path is chosen. We will not interfere."

Angel: "The visions are too much. She's not strong enough to handle them."

Voices: "Obstinate. It speaks and does not listen."

Angel spins around, yelling: "No, you're not listening! Cordelia is not a champion. She is a rich girl from Sunnydale who likes to play superhero. She doesn't have what it takes to do this! Don't the Powers get that? Stop whispering and listen to me, damn it! She's weak. You're killing her. She's unconscious, and she's alone. Who knows if she's in pain?"

Voices: "It is angry. It is afraid."

Angel after a beat: "I'm more afraid of her dying than she is. - What is that?"

~*~*~*~

Angel: "I'm afraid. I'm afraid."

Cordy slowly walks over to him: "Shh. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. You don't remember me, do you?"

Angel: "I was there. I wanted to die. But - but I was - was afraid to die. So afraid to die."

Cordy: "Shh, Angel, it's okay. Everything is gonna be okay."

Cordy leans in and softly kisses Angel on the mouth. Wes and Gunn watch in slow motion. There is a whoosing sound and a blue light passes from Angel's lips to Cordy. Cordy sits back on her heels and turns to look at Wes and Gunn, then stands up.

~*~*~*~

Cordy sits up on the bed, gasping, and opens her eyes. Angel catches her in a hug.

Angel: "I thought I'd lost you."

Cordy: "Angel."

~*~*~*~

Angel sighed in relief.

~*~*~*~

Cordy to baby: "You are so cute! Yes, you are. You are just the best little boy in the whole world."

Angel comes up behind her and smiles down at Connor over her shoulder.

Angel: "How's my little man?"

Cordy: "Oh, he wonders where his father's been."

Angel: "Papa's got mouths to feed."

Cordy: "Ah. I have a mouth, too. Always have had one. Kind of known for it and we've fed it fine for years. Yeah."

Cordy puts Connor down in a baby carry-bed.

Cordy: "Angel - I'm glad you wanna take care of your son. I am. I just wanna make sure we don't lose sight of the mission."

Angel: "Well, we have to earn a living. I mean, not just for Connor, but for all of us."

Cordy: "I agree. But first and foremost we work for the Powers, help the helpless. Promise me we won't neglect that."

Angel: "I promise."

~*~*~*~

Angel to Cordy: "I should have listened to you."

Cordy: "Well, yeah."

Angel takes Connor from her: "I should never have left you and the baby alone like that."

Cordy: "Well - yeah."

Angel: "Guys, can I say something? (Angel looks at the spilled money) Money's important but it - it isn't everything. - I got - I got carried away. - I just (looks down at Connor) I never had a life that was totally dependent on me before. (Looks at the money again) But that's no excuse. (To Cordy) Where was I?"

Cordy: "Money's not the most important."

Angel: "No, it's not. What's - important is (looks from Connor to the other) family - and the mission."

~*~*~*~

She and Angel are falling asleep lying on top of Angel's bed with Connor in between them, feeding from a bottle.

Cordy: " Okay. - College fund - pay our bills - and rent a ski condo in Aspen."

Angel: "Ski condo?"

Cordy: "There's got to be some fun in our lives."

Angel: "Hmm - I like a ski condo."

Cordy: "Sure. Snow. Trees. Chipmunk robots on ice…"

Angel: "Chipmunk robots... - on ice..."

~*~*~*~

Angel smirked.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Is it gonna to be alright? Is there a stain?"

Lorne: " Man, little Connor burps like a champ."

Angel: "At least he's sleeping."

Lorne: "Who wouldn't? With that sweet Irish lullaby you crooned. Just a hair flat on the bridge, but - more to the point - Cordelia?"

Angel: "What about her?"

Lorne: "I read you while you were singing, you big corn muffin, and uh, can't say as I blame. I mean, what a woman she's become. We got a little term back in Pylea. Kyrumption? When two great heroes come together..."

Angel: "There will be no coming together, okay? Everything we've been through together and all anybody wants to talk about is..."

Lorne: "Can't fight Kyrumption, cinnamon buns. It's fate. It's the stars. Kyrumption is..."

Angel gets up: "Stop saying that. And stop calling me pastries."

Lorne: "You're a man of many limitations, Angel. But you're a man. You got a heart. And Cordelia is a hell of a lady. She's a champion, Angel, old school. And besides, we all know you got a thing for ex-cheerleaders."

Lorne drops into a chair, chuckling, but Angel only looks down.

Angel: "What have I got to offer her?"

~*~*~*~

Angel sighed…why did his love life suck?

~*~*~*~

Angel shaking his head slightly: "I... - This isn't us. Cordelia (licks his lips) we're acting this out. Someone is..."

Cordy: "Whoa! - Did - did I actually just ask you to undress me?"

Angel steps closer: "Is that what you want?"

Cordy: "Please... I..."

Angel: "You want me to make love to you right here?"

Cordy: "You know I do."

~*~*~*~

Cordy and Angel are kissing passionately. Suddenly there is a hissing sound and Angel jerks away, putting one hand up against the side of his mouth and cheek.

Angel: "Ah! Cordelia."

Cordy: "Yes."

Angel: "I'm sorry."

Cordy: "No. We so need to be out of here."

Angel: "Yes."

They're both breathing rather fast as they move back together.

Cordy, not trying to get away: "This isn't out of here."

Angel: "I know. - Right."

Remaining on the verge of another kiss they move across the room. Cordy turns so that her back is to Angel, snaking one of her arms up behind his neck.

Cordy, breathless: "Open the damn door."

Angel: "Kinda hard."

Cordy: "Kinda noticed."

Never losing touch with Cordy's body, Angel reaches around and twists the door handle. Breaking apart, they hurry through the open door, and Angel slams it shut behind them.

~*~*~*~

The vampire raised an eyebrow in amusement.

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "I said something. Back in that room. Something important. Do you remember?"

Angel: "Uhm - you-you're only alive when I-I'm..."

Cordy: "Not that."

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "It's a clue! Those spirits or - or energy or - or whatever are still in there. So we can figure out what happened. We have to go back in!"

Angel: "I'm marveling at the wrongness of that idea."

Cordy: "Well, I've got my little cross if things get out of hand. (Angel won't look at her) Hey - it's awkward, but it's not us. So long as nothing is removed or - inserted it's all forgotten."

Angel: "It is us - Cordelia. It's you and me. - Kissing you, it's... - It's not something I can just..."

~*~*~*~

Cordy lies down onto a chair and Angel kisses her neck.

~*~*~*~

Fred hears low moaning: "Do you hear that?"

Wes: "Someone's in pain."

Fred: "Either that, or someone's in fun."

~*~*~*~

Angel is working his way south of Cordy's belly button, covering her bare skin with kisses.

~*~*~*~

A little croak escaped Angel's mouth. He then licked his lips.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "You alright?"

Cordy: "Yeah. We gotta move."

Angel looks from one minion to the other.

Angel: "You think they're not dead?"

Cordy: "You just looked really hot doing that."

Angel: "Oh."

~*~*~*~

Angel beamed.

~*~*~*~

Cordy: "You know, we should probably just not talk about - our little adventure. Anything that might have been seen, anything that might have been, oh (lets out a laugh) perky."

Angel turning away: "I just wanna pretend it never happened."

Cordy: "Exactly."

Angel: "Wipe it from my memory."

Cordy: "What? - Was it, like, disgusting?"

Angel: "No! I, ah... I would, I would just want... If we were to... - I would just want it to be... - new. Start at the beginning. Cordy - you and I, we've been working together for - a long time. I think that we, you know, we..."

Cordy: "Groo?"

Angel: "Yes! We - we-we grew - closer together, I think..."

Cordy runs past Angel yelling: "Groo!"

Groo and Cordelia kiss.

Lorne: "He just showed up. Apparently once everyone in Pylea got their freedom, the political situation got a little sketchy. The Groosalug here got deposed and they set up some kind of people's republic. So, he came looking for his - true love."

Angel: "Huh. That's good-good for her. I'm gonna check on Connor."

Lorne: "Ah, he's sleeping."

Angel keeps walking up the stairs.

~*~*~*~

A sleeping Angel looked pretty pissed off.

~*~*~*~

Angel, adjusting his cuffs: "She took him home. Well - well, that's good. At least we won't have to put him up here. The place was starting to turn into a hotel."

Lorne: "So - so you don't have a problem with that then?"

Angel: "Of course not. Why would I?"

Lorne sniffs Angel's tux jacket.

Lorne: "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I don't remember you wearing this perfume when you left this evening?"

Angel takes the jacket from him.

Angel: "Okay. There may have been some magic. Actual magic, Lorne. Whatever happened, it was a spell. It's worn off now. There's nothing between Cordelia and me."

Lorne: "Sure there is. And it got arms like steel cables and a deeply ironic sense of timing."

Angel goes to hang his jacket into a closet.

Angel: "You know, it's good that the Groosalug showed up when he did. You were right. Cordelia deserves a champion, and now she's got one."

Lorne: "Well, what about you?"

Angel: "I'm fine. I've been a solo-act most of my two hundred forty plus years. And when I wasn't? Never turned out well. I like being alone."

Angel hangs up the jacket and after Lorne leaves Angel opens the door again a moment later. Angel reaches in, takes out the jacket on its hanger and sniffs at it for just a moment before hanging it back up and closing the door as he turns away.

~*~*~*~

Angel rolled to his side and moaned…why did he have to always be alone?.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "What about Connor."

Wes: "He shouldn't exist."

Angel: "His birth was foretold. How many people can say that?"

Wes: "He has a role to play, that's true, but we still don't know what that role is. - Angel, we can't be afraid to ask the questions, because your enemies, his enemies, certainly won't be."

Angel: "You're right. We should be prepared."

~*~*~*~

The vampire with a soul smiled at the mention of his future son.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "You're here. And...(Sees Groo standing in front of the weapons cabinet, trying out one of the swords)…so is he."

Groo: "Angel. Your weapons are most impressive."

Angel: "Thanks. Thank you. (Grabs a hold of Cordy's arm, never taking his eyes off Groo) Can you, uh, ask him not to handle my weapons?"

~*~*~*~

Wes: "He's an experienced warrior. He should be a great asset."

Angel looks over to where the others arm up in front of the weapons cabinet. Sees Cordy hand Groo a sword.

Cordy: "Here's a nice one."

Angel: "That's my favorite broadsword!"

Wes: "You'll be fine, Angel."

Wes pats Angel on the shoulder and walks past him.

Cordy: "Okay. (Hands Angel a weapon without taking her eyes of Groo) Here."

Angel turns the ax in his hand, looking at the small head on it. Looks at Cordy, only to see her kiss Groo's cheek.

~*~*~*~

Angel watches Groo fight a demon and save a young woman. Cordy, Wes, Gunn, and Fred come running over a rise in the park. Angel watches the rescued woman cling to Groo from a shadow, due to the sunlight. Angel watches as Cordy throws her arms around Groo, a big smile on her face. The people in the park gather around them, applauding. Wes reaches out to pat Groo on the shoulder.

Wes: "Well done."

Wes turns and looks towards the hole in the side of the building. He sees Angel standing in the shadows of it, watching them.

~*~*~*~

Angel growled in jealousy.

~*~*~*

Angel: "Cordy and Groo. She's being all noble for the good of the team. She should just make it with the com-shuck. That's what she wants. I mean, why not? You know, life is short. Okay, not mine, but, you know, most people's. And if Groo does it for her, she should go for it. Make him happy. Make her happy. (quietly) Make everybody happy."

Wes: "Well - (leans closer to Angel and drops his voice after a glance around) she said it herself. It could risk the visions."

Angel: "Okay. So the visions pass to Groo. He gets them instead of her. So what?"

Wes: "Are you suggesting Groosalug could replace Cordelia?"

Angel, still browsing the books: "Maybe not Cordelia."

Wes: "I see. - You think he could replace you."

Angel: "I don't know. Seems to me, here is a guy who can do everything I can - and a few things I can't."

Wes: "That's not true."

Angel: "You saw what happened this afternoon. If Groo hadn't been there..."

Wes: "Then the rest of us would have. - Angel, - you're the reason we've all come together. It's your mission which animates us. We each contribute, it's true, but you - you're unique. (Indicates the shelves) You're like one of these rare volumes. One of a kind."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Well, ah, Wesley - thanks - for what you said before. You put things into perspective for me."

Wes: "Glad I could. While I do believe having another warrior for good may be an asset in the coming days, Truth is, you and the Groosalug are two totally different - people..."

Wes trails off as they enter the lobby and see Groo, his hair cut short, dressed in a set of Angel's clothes.

Wes: "...who look exactly alike."

Angel: "He's wearing my clothes."

Cordy: "What? Oh, yeah. I-I didn't think you'd mind. Turns out you guys are about the same size. I think he's a little taller. Looks great though, doesn't he?"

~*~*~*~

Angel grumbled.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Really? - I'd say more like magnificently stupid. I'm really getting tired of the 'Groosa-worship' thing. (Slugs Groo in the face. The root-demon lets out a roar) Nothing personal, champ. Oh! Everyone makes such a big deal about the Groosalug. (Slugs Groo. The root-demon roars.) He's such a champion. (Slug. Roar.) He's so rugged. (Slug. Roar.) He's so emotionally available. (Slug. Roar.) Look at him in the daylight. (Slug. Roar.) But you know what? I'm smarter, and I'm stronger, and I pick out my own clothes!"

Angel kicks Groo. The demon roars, withdraws its tap-root from Groo and buries it in Angel's chest instead. Angel drops to his knees, catching himself on his left hand, while his right wraps around the taproot.

Angel: "Okay. Oh, jeez. Well, it's okay. You know, no one is using my heart at the moment anyway."

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Don't come in for a couple of weeks. Take Groo some place - nice."

After a while Cordy shakes her head a little as she looks down at the money.

Cordy: "Okay."

Cordy turns to leave, then turns back and touches the hole in Angel's T-shirt where the tentacle went into his heart.

Cordy: "You sure you don't need some patching up yourself?"

Angel looks down at his chest: "No, I - I'm good. Didn't hurt a bit."

Cordy looks at him for a moment, then turns and walks out with Groo.

~*~*~*~

Angel whimpered in protest.

~*~*~*~

Angel: "Thanks for looking after him."

Lorne: "Yeah. Sure. (Gives Angel a look) You okay?"

Angel looks down at Connor, a slight smile spreading over his face.

Angel: "Yeah."

~*~*~*~

The vamp placed a replica smile on his face.

~*~*~*~

Wes staring down at his notepad. Angel walks in, carrying Connor.

Angel: "Working late?"

Wes: "Yes. - You startled me. I thought I was alone."

Angel: "Yeah. (Looks at Connor with a smile) So did I."

Wes watches as Angel kisses Connor's cheek and walks back out of the office. Wes lets out a sigh and looks back down at his notepad where we can read 'the father - will kill - the son.'

~*~*~*~

As the day dawned, a ray of sunlight beamed through Angel's bedroom window. The light singed the vampire's hand and he instantly shot up from his bed and cowered to the shadows. There were so many times like this one where he despised being a vampire. Memories of the night visions flooded through him as he recalled Cordy, his son and the many problems he would face.

'Wow! I'm going to be a father!' Angel thought as he sucked on his singed thumb. The last image he was fed suddenly flashed again before his eyes.

Angel growled. There was no way that prophecy could be true! He knew that the Wesley in the present world wasn't perfect…there was no way he trusted the translations of a screwed up Watcher. Angel glanced at the sun through his window.

Angel knew that he would never kill the one thing that he was unable to have. There was no way he was going to kill his son…no way!