A/N- uh…how far would you say Sunnydale is from LA? Few hours? Few days?
Please help me…
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"You *told* them?!" I ask in disbelief. Angel nods in response. "Angel! I can't believe you! I would have liked to have done it myself…like when they got here. NOT over the phone! NOT from you!" He just stares back blankly, which gets me even more worked up. "That was personal information and you just *told* them! Without even asking me! Argh!" I throw my hands up into the air dramatically, trying to emphasise how upset I am.
"Cordelia, don't you think you're over reacting just a little?" Wes cautiously queries from behind me.
Furious, I spin to face him. "No! I don't! You don't just *give* information like that away!" (Okay, so maybe I am over reacting just a tad.)
"Cordy, chill." Gunn begins, standing to my right. "All Buffy asked was what kind of things you might like as a 'congratulations' gifty thing…"
"Exactly!" I reply, then at their confused looks I add, "If they get me something I'm gonna feel like I need to do something for them in return…And I don't like that feeling…I mean, we're not exactly on the best of terms and-" I stop abruptly. I'm starting to sound just like Queen C; the bitch of Sunnydale High. *That* was the old me. I'm not supposed to be like that anymore. The visions of all the pain and suffering in the world made me change and realise that there is a lot more to life than being a bitch,… among other things. The visions…
"Oh, God! The Visions!" I suddenly exclaim, causing everyone to jump and run to my side, ready to catch me. "No! I'm not *having* a vision…but they…they…they're dangerous…for my baby…I can't have…bad…painfulness…my baby" I'm stammering and not making any sense.
"Cordy, its okay." Angel hushes, placing his hand on my shoulder, softly letting me know that he cares.
I turn to him, not hiding the panic I'm feeling. Pulling myself together, I finally manage, "The visions…they muck things up inside me…What's gonna happen if I get them while I'm pre-"
Lindsey gently pulls me away from Angel and into his arms, and holds me protectively, preventing me from finishing my thought. He'd stayed out of the conversation for a while, but now I can tell he's worried too. "Cordelia…those power things that gave you the visions…they're good, right?"
"Yeah…I guess. But it doesn't stop them from messing with my body…not in the sexual way, but the 'destroy all your internal systems' kinda way…"
"This is different, though. I mean, a baby is pure innocence. It's a single wholesome soul, that hasn't done anything wrong or anything like that. It's a physical manifestation of goodness. Its what the power thingies stand for. They wouldn't actively do anything to harm that." He explains. It makes sense.
"You think so?" I sniffle. I'd been on the verge of tears, and I'm only just realising it now. (It's amazing how that happens. One second you're fine and the next you've got tears streaming down your face without you knowing it…or, is that just me?)
Lindsey nods and I rest my head on his shoulder. I'm facing Angel and Wes and they nod as well.
"As much as I hate to say it…Lindsey has a point." Angel adds. There's something about the way he's speaking that makes me feel a little sad. Its like he's regretful or something like that. I can feel the pain in his voice and I don't know why he's so miserable. I'm gonna have to speak to him alone again. I don't want him being Mr Brood for much longer. And I *definitely* don't want him pining away on the inside with all these feelings again 'cos last time he did that he tried to go evil. *Hell* he was almost there already, he may have still had a soul, but he *was* dark. I don't want that happening again.
Wes brings me out of my thoughts by stating, "And…if you're still unsure…maybe a trip to the oracles might be in order."
"That's not a bad idea…but aren't they…you know…dead?" Gunn interrupts. He'd been there when Angel had told us the oracles had been sliced up by that demon. (It was the same demon who gave me the onslaught of painful visions…you know, the visions that changed me.)
"Uh, long story short…they're back and I can get to them, with Lorne's help." Angel tells him. "I'll fill you in later, 'kay?"
Gunn nods his understanding and the conversation is pretty much over. Over the baby monitor, Connor begins to wake up. Its always the same…first he'll make these cute little muffled sounds, then he'll start to whinge and, to complete the ritual, he'll break into a loud wail until someone goes in to greet him. Today seems to be no exception.
"I got him." I announce. Unfortunately, Angel does the same. (Have I mentioned that we *always* do this.) I pull myself away from Lindsey completely and make a move for the stairs. Angel reaches them before me. We race up and he lets me get into the elevator first. (What can I say, he's a gentleman.) I smile and declare a truce. "Do you want to help me?" I ask. "You can change him and I can play with him."
Angel laughs, something he rarely ever does. "Why does it sound like you're getting the better end of the bargain?"
" 'Cos I am. And I always do. And I always will."
He loses his smile and quietly responds "I hope so." He says it so quietly that I almost miss it entirely. Then the smile is back.(I want to ask "What was that?" but I hold my tongue.) We reach our floor and step out into the hall. Connor's room is attached to Angel's, with a connecting door. However, like most hotel rooms, you can access it from the hall as well. I open the door and step in, cooing his name.
He stops crying immediately and peers through the bars of his crib. When he recognises us, a smile crawls across his tiny face. Angel smiles back at him and steps forward to the crib. Connor extends his arms into the air, whinging as if to say 'Pick me up now!' or 'Hurry up!'
"Alright already." Angel says, lifting the baby out of the crib with ease. "Man, you're getting heavier."
I can't help just leaning against the doorway and watching. Father and son. It's the most adorable sight. The way Angel interacts with his son is amazing. Plus, its funny to watch the once-scourge of Europe (and our Mr Brood) talking baby talk. He literally goes ga-ga for Connor. We all do, but it's so…different to see Angel like this.
"…What do you think?" Angel asks, shaking me out of my thoughts again.
"Hmm? About what?"
"This outfit…on *Connor*." He answers, holding Connor up for me to see.
I smile, remembering the last time he'd asked me what I thought of 'this outfit' without specifying 'Connor'. I'd spent around ten minutes explaining that black on black, with a side of black is not the best look for Angel, and how he should wear a white shirt or something a little more…colourful. He hadn't liked hearing my advice, considering some of the things I'd said (we don't need to go there at the moment), and had gone all sulky. "Its cute. But…you did it again." I finally reply.
"Awww …come on…he looks good in the little black jacket." He playfully waggles Connor in front of me. "Reminds you of me, huh?"
(Actually, he does…) "The black jacket does *not* suit the sailor outfit. Where the hell…literally…*did* you get your fashion sense? Or should I say, lack there of ?"
"Hey! Chicks dig the black look." He states in mock seriousness.
I burst into fits of laughter. "Bet if they heard you talk, they'd think differently. *Chicks dig*? …That's soo funny…" And I'm laughing again. (Although…Angel really wouldn't have to talk. He's good looking and girls pick up on that, and that alone. It doesn't matter what he wears or what he says 'cos he's so damn gorgeous he can pull anything off. But I'm not gonna tell him that, it'd wreck my argument and I'd lose our little debate. I know, I'm still shallow, but I can't change my *whole* personality overnight. Well, that's my excuse anyway…)
After a while, I convince Angel to take the jacket off Connor. We laugh a little more and head back down to the others. Angel's lost that air of sadness, so maybe I don't need to have that talk with him anymore.
"So…the Scoobies are comin' to LA." I hear Gunn say as we near the group. "Its about time I met them guys. You're always talkin 'bout 'em."
"Not *always*, Gunn." Wesley corrects. "But yes…we do mention them from time to time."
"And it's enough to make a guy wanna meet these people." Gunn replies.
"So, when are they gonna get here?" Fred asks. It's the most I've heard her say since Angel went into his office to call Buffy. I guess she's been overwhelmed by everything. God knows I have.
We all look at Angel. That was the one thing he hadn't told us. Cradling Connor, he shrugs. "She said they would leave as soon as possible…"
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A/N (2) – okay, okay…you have to tell me what you think now. I mean it. Please. Any constructive criticism is happily accepted and I *REALLY* need to know how long it might take to get to LA from Sunnydale. This is crucial stuff. PLEASE REVIEW! I NEED TO KNOW, PEOPLE!
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"You *told* them?!" I ask in disbelief. Angel nods in response. "Angel! I can't believe you! I would have liked to have done it myself…like when they got here. NOT over the phone! NOT from you!" He just stares back blankly, which gets me even more worked up. "That was personal information and you just *told* them! Without even asking me! Argh!" I throw my hands up into the air dramatically, trying to emphasise how upset I am.
"Cordelia, don't you think you're over reacting just a little?" Wes cautiously queries from behind me.
Furious, I spin to face him. "No! I don't! You don't just *give* information like that away!" (Okay, so maybe I am over reacting just a tad.)
"Cordy, chill." Gunn begins, standing to my right. "All Buffy asked was what kind of things you might like as a 'congratulations' gifty thing…"
"Exactly!" I reply, then at their confused looks I add, "If they get me something I'm gonna feel like I need to do something for them in return…And I don't like that feeling…I mean, we're not exactly on the best of terms and-" I stop abruptly. I'm starting to sound just like Queen C; the bitch of Sunnydale High. *That* was the old me. I'm not supposed to be like that anymore. The visions of all the pain and suffering in the world made me change and realise that there is a lot more to life than being a bitch,… among other things. The visions…
"Oh, God! The Visions!" I suddenly exclaim, causing everyone to jump and run to my side, ready to catch me. "No! I'm not *having* a vision…but they…they…they're dangerous…for my baby…I can't have…bad…painfulness…my baby" I'm stammering and not making any sense.
"Cordy, its okay." Angel hushes, placing his hand on my shoulder, softly letting me know that he cares.
I turn to him, not hiding the panic I'm feeling. Pulling myself together, I finally manage, "The visions…they muck things up inside me…What's gonna happen if I get them while I'm pre-"
Lindsey gently pulls me away from Angel and into his arms, and holds me protectively, preventing me from finishing my thought. He'd stayed out of the conversation for a while, but now I can tell he's worried too. "Cordelia…those power things that gave you the visions…they're good, right?"
"Yeah…I guess. But it doesn't stop them from messing with my body…not in the sexual way, but the 'destroy all your internal systems' kinda way…"
"This is different, though. I mean, a baby is pure innocence. It's a single wholesome soul, that hasn't done anything wrong or anything like that. It's a physical manifestation of goodness. Its what the power thingies stand for. They wouldn't actively do anything to harm that." He explains. It makes sense.
"You think so?" I sniffle. I'd been on the verge of tears, and I'm only just realising it now. (It's amazing how that happens. One second you're fine and the next you've got tears streaming down your face without you knowing it…or, is that just me?)
Lindsey nods and I rest my head on his shoulder. I'm facing Angel and Wes and they nod as well.
"As much as I hate to say it…Lindsey has a point." Angel adds. There's something about the way he's speaking that makes me feel a little sad. Its like he's regretful or something like that. I can feel the pain in his voice and I don't know why he's so miserable. I'm gonna have to speak to him alone again. I don't want him being Mr Brood for much longer. And I *definitely* don't want him pining away on the inside with all these feelings again 'cos last time he did that he tried to go evil. *Hell* he was almost there already, he may have still had a soul, but he *was* dark. I don't want that happening again.
Wes brings me out of my thoughts by stating, "And…if you're still unsure…maybe a trip to the oracles might be in order."
"That's not a bad idea…but aren't they…you know…dead?" Gunn interrupts. He'd been there when Angel had told us the oracles had been sliced up by that demon. (It was the same demon who gave me the onslaught of painful visions…you know, the visions that changed me.)
"Uh, long story short…they're back and I can get to them, with Lorne's help." Angel tells him. "I'll fill you in later, 'kay?"
Gunn nods his understanding and the conversation is pretty much over. Over the baby monitor, Connor begins to wake up. Its always the same…first he'll make these cute little muffled sounds, then he'll start to whinge and, to complete the ritual, he'll break into a loud wail until someone goes in to greet him. Today seems to be no exception.
"I got him." I announce. Unfortunately, Angel does the same. (Have I mentioned that we *always* do this.) I pull myself away from Lindsey completely and make a move for the stairs. Angel reaches them before me. We race up and he lets me get into the elevator first. (What can I say, he's a gentleman.) I smile and declare a truce. "Do you want to help me?" I ask. "You can change him and I can play with him."
Angel laughs, something he rarely ever does. "Why does it sound like you're getting the better end of the bargain?"
" 'Cos I am. And I always do. And I always will."
He loses his smile and quietly responds "I hope so." He says it so quietly that I almost miss it entirely. Then the smile is back.(I want to ask "What was that?" but I hold my tongue.) We reach our floor and step out into the hall. Connor's room is attached to Angel's, with a connecting door. However, like most hotel rooms, you can access it from the hall as well. I open the door and step in, cooing his name.
He stops crying immediately and peers through the bars of his crib. When he recognises us, a smile crawls across his tiny face. Angel smiles back at him and steps forward to the crib. Connor extends his arms into the air, whinging as if to say 'Pick me up now!' or 'Hurry up!'
"Alright already." Angel says, lifting the baby out of the crib with ease. "Man, you're getting heavier."
I can't help just leaning against the doorway and watching. Father and son. It's the most adorable sight. The way Angel interacts with his son is amazing. Plus, its funny to watch the once-scourge of Europe (and our Mr Brood) talking baby talk. He literally goes ga-ga for Connor. We all do, but it's so…different to see Angel like this.
"…What do you think?" Angel asks, shaking me out of my thoughts again.
"Hmm? About what?"
"This outfit…on *Connor*." He answers, holding Connor up for me to see.
I smile, remembering the last time he'd asked me what I thought of 'this outfit' without specifying 'Connor'. I'd spent around ten minutes explaining that black on black, with a side of black is not the best look for Angel, and how he should wear a white shirt or something a little more…colourful. He hadn't liked hearing my advice, considering some of the things I'd said (we don't need to go there at the moment), and had gone all sulky. "Its cute. But…you did it again." I finally reply.
"Awww …come on…he looks good in the little black jacket." He playfully waggles Connor in front of me. "Reminds you of me, huh?"
(Actually, he does…) "The black jacket does *not* suit the sailor outfit. Where the hell…literally…*did* you get your fashion sense? Or should I say, lack there of ?"
"Hey! Chicks dig the black look." He states in mock seriousness.
I burst into fits of laughter. "Bet if they heard you talk, they'd think differently. *Chicks dig*? …That's soo funny…" And I'm laughing again. (Although…Angel really wouldn't have to talk. He's good looking and girls pick up on that, and that alone. It doesn't matter what he wears or what he says 'cos he's so damn gorgeous he can pull anything off. But I'm not gonna tell him that, it'd wreck my argument and I'd lose our little debate. I know, I'm still shallow, but I can't change my *whole* personality overnight. Well, that's my excuse anyway…)
After a while, I convince Angel to take the jacket off Connor. We laugh a little more and head back down to the others. Angel's lost that air of sadness, so maybe I don't need to have that talk with him anymore.
"So…the Scoobies are comin' to LA." I hear Gunn say as we near the group. "Its about time I met them guys. You're always talkin 'bout 'em."
"Not *always*, Gunn." Wesley corrects. "But yes…we do mention them from time to time."
"And it's enough to make a guy wanna meet these people." Gunn replies.
"So, when are they gonna get here?" Fred asks. It's the most I've heard her say since Angel went into his office to call Buffy. I guess she's been overwhelmed by everything. God knows I have.
We all look at Angel. That was the one thing he hadn't told us. Cradling Connor, he shrugs. "She said they would leave as soon as possible…"
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A/N (2) – okay, okay…you have to tell me what you think now. I mean it. Please. Any constructive criticism is happily accepted and I *REALLY* need to know how long it might take to get to LA from Sunnydale. This is crucial stuff. PLEASE REVIEW! I NEED TO KNOW, PEOPLE!