A/N: Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone who has read this story. And ten thousand times thank you for those who read my story more than once (I'm looking towards Stephanie, aka ILETUDRIVE :). That is such a wonderful thing to find out. Also, about wondering where the consciousness exists? I've planned that for future chapters already so please keep reading to find out which Cordelia gets her visions and demon powers.
All disclaimers apply from before.
Want to do me the honour of posting this story? Please ask hollywoodphoenix@yahoo.com for permission first. Thx.
Chapter 13: Around the world
By Hollywood Phoenix
(c) June 1, 2002
~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~
~~ Wolfram & Hart, January 24, 2002 ~~
Lilah stalked around her immaculate office in her equally immaculate heels and perfectly pressed suit. An irritated look passed over her face as she took in the broken door lock, the papers strewn on the floor, and the computer that was still on.
"Well well well," a smooth voice broke in. "Looks like someone's got some cleaning up to do."
"Get out, Gavin." she snarled without turning around. "I'm busy."
"Yes, I can see that," was the Asian-American man's wry answer. "Careful, Ms. Morgan, you're losing your hand. Perhaps like your predecessor." he said meaningfully.
"He wasn't my predecessor. Besides, I'll never be like him. He's a loser who walked away from the dream." she said fiercely.
"Yes, but you're not still living it, are you?" Gavin gloated.
Lilah pursed her lips and feigned indifference, "Are you still here?"
"I wouldn't be so quick to turn my back if I were you. I've received some new information that I'm sure you'll be interested in." Gavin said, holding up a file folder.
Lilah stalked up to him and made a grab for the folder. Quickly, Gavin sidestepped her and the folder slipped from her grasp.
"Uh uh, not yet. I'm enjoying this. Might as well prolong it, as it might be the last chance for quite a while." Gavin teased.
Lilah gave him an impatient glare. "What are you talking about?"
Gavin smirked. "It looks like someone, or should I say a few someones are looking for certain stones... relating to your pet project."
"Lindsey? Who else?" Lilah asked, successfully grabbing the folder out of Gavin's hands.
"I'll give you one guess. Your friendly, neighbourhood..."
"Angel Investigations." Lilah finished, reading the airline reservation records.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your office while you're gone." Gavin whispered, as he triumphantly sailed out of her office.
Lilah stared after him, and then back at the list of destinations in front of her. She picked up her phone and spoke curtly into it, "I need to book a flight immediately."
~~ En-route to Las Vegas, November 20, 1998 ~~
As soon as the sun set, Cordy made her way to Angel's mansion.
"You know, I've never actually seen where you lived before." she said, rotating on one heel, staring at the place.
Angel shot her a look, having never realized it before. "Strange how we didn't really know each other before L.A." he started slowly.
"It just goes to show you how wrong first impressions are." Cordy said, with a slightly affected air of maturity. Angel unsuccessfully struggled with the smile creeping on his face.
"As I recall, you had quite a first impression of me. What was it you called me? Salty goodness?" Angel quipped.
Cordy's mind whirled. 'I can't believe you remembered,' she thought. 'Well, as if I would admit to it now!' Aloud, she scoffed to him, "Clearly your vampire memory isn't quite like your hearing."
"I'm not going to hold you to it." Angel simply replied knowingly.
She started turning red, something she couldn't ever remember doing, at least not since she started high school. "That's because there's nothing to hold to me!" she declared as she shot him a glare.
"So, should we get going?" Angel asked casually, realizing that he should switch topic right away. He was still hoping to broach her problems with the visions. Cordy nodded and he held the door open for her.
"No lock?" she asked, when he simply closed it and walked away.
Angel smirked, "It's not like anyone's really dying to break in here."
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe someone with a vampire wardrobe fetish would want to." she said coyly, referring to his black leather pants and sweater. Angel groaned.
"Here we go," he said under his breath, but he was smiling. "Dressing me in colours and clothes you like. You know you're like Pygmalion?"
"Pig who?" Cordy wrinkled her nose.
"Pygmalion," Angel informed her, "was this man who created this woman and molded her to fit his idea of the ideal woman." He peered at her to see her reaction.
She had none. "You're hardly my idea of ideal." She huffed. "And I'm not Pyg-whatever-his-name-is. You dress yourself perfectly fine. I only suggest colours." She poked at him. "I know you were literally one with the living dead before I came on the scene, but would it hurt to wear something cheerier like a muted gray or baby blue?" she wheedled.
"Baby blue?" Angel repeated in amusement.
"I think they'll go with your --" Cordy paused, looking for the right word. "--eyes..." she finished lamely.
"They happen to be brown." he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Six years you've known me and my salty goodness..."
"I know what colour your eyes are." Cordy sniffed, then fell silent.
Angel sighed quietly, sensing that he should quit while he was behind and likely not able to dig himself out of the hole he was miraculously digging himself in again. As they approached their mode of transportation, Cordy suddenly squealed.
"What is it with you and classic cars? And black ones at that?" she asked, running a hand smoothly over the exterior of the black hood.
"I always wanted to drive a black Cadillac," Angel shrugged cautiously. He peered at her, but her recent anger seemed to have dissipated.
At least for the moment.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she suddenly demanded. He froze, his hand on the car door, his right leg sliding into the driver's side.
"Did you want me to open your door for you?" he said, slightly panicked and very puzzled.
She pursed her lips and held out her hand. "Hand it over."
"No way." Angel shook his head again. But he had already come around and handed her the car keys.
Cordy giggled at the pout on his face as she settled in on the left hand side. "If you weren't such a major control freak all the time and let me behind the wheel every so often when we're back home..." Angel leaped over the car door and gracefully landed on the passenger seat. Cordy raised her eyebrows at the very obvious display on his part but inwardly suppressed an adoring grin playing on her lips. She started the car.
"That's only because I know how you drive --" he started to answer. The rest of his sentence fell away as the car tires squealed loudly when Cordy took off.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." she replied viciously.
As they sped past several cars and honking horns, Angel gripped the passenger door handle. Angel decided that it might be best to shut his mouth for the rest of the drive and let Cordy have her fun for a while. After all, the conversation about the visions could wait.
~~ The L.A. Airport, January 24, 2002 ~~
"What happened to travelling light?" Gunn groaned as he hefted one of Cordelia's suitcases from the cart onto the check-in belt.
Lindsey grinned sideways at Cordelia as he moved another of Cordelia's suitcases. Angel silently and effortlessly took care of the last of her suitcases. Upset with Gunn's complaint, Cordelia crossed her arms.
"Well, it's not like I get to go to a tropical island." Cordelia grumbled. "I wouldn't be bringing half as much then." Before Gunn could respond, she started complaining, "I don't see why I have to be stuck with 'Mr. No Fun' here."
Wesley held in his sigh, "The teams were divided logically..."
"And why couldn't I be going where he's going?" Cordy demanded, pointing at Lindsey. Fred gasped in wide-eyed astonishment.
"And there's an extremely valid reason for where you're going and with whom." Wesley continued, this time not bothering to hold back the sigh.
Sensing that Wesley was reaching breaking point, Willow took the opportunity to jump in. "I've also taken the opportunity to whip something up for everyone." She started handing out necklaces to everyone. "You need to put this on."
"You serious, red? What is it?" Gunn asked, fighting back a laugh. Holding it up, everyone could clearly see the tiny rock dangling on a slim piece of brown suede leather.
"It's a charm." Willow explained. "Wesley mentioned that the timeline in 1998 might change but we won't realize it. This will act as a ground. As long as you wear it, you'll remember this timeline."
"Wonderful." Wesley said to her, admiringly. For the first time in a long while, Willow blushed at the compliment, her face turning as red as her roots.
"What happens if we don't wear it?" Lindsey asked quietly.
"Best case, nothing. Worst case, the timeline changes so much that you won't remember what you're supposed to do. You won't remember anything about the stones and you might not even remember us." Willow replied somberly. "It's really important that you keep it on."
"Now, you've all got the spell that will make the stone brittle. The best thing to do is smash the stone. Once broken, it will become inactive." Wesley instructed.
"So, first person who breaks a stone calls everyone else? Then the rest of us goes home? So why do we all have to go somewhere?" Gunn asked. Fred poked him.
"Haven't you ever wanted to see snow?" she asked him excitedly.
"Yeah, but not when it's going to be 20 below." Gunn said, shaking his head but unable to keep away a lopsided grin.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken." Wesley interrupted. He glanced around at everyone else to make sure they were all listening. "First of all, one broken stone is not going to end this. The stones were each activated in a place that was strategically calculated to make that park on Baker Street the portal. They act as a ring, concentrating all the energies onto that park."
"Huh?" Cordelia asked in confusion.
"Bottom line is that everyone has to find their stone and destroy it. Otherwise, others could end up like you, and we won't be able to get you two back to your proper time period." Wesley concluded.
"Fair enough." Gunn said.
"And what's the second thing?" Angel asked, watching Wesley carefully.
"We won't be able to communicate via cell phone." Wesley said, wincing to brace himself for the reaction.
"What?" Cordelia demanded, widening her eyes. Gunn made a noise of frustration. Fred held onto her arms, her forehead etched in worry and Lindsey raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Why?" Willow asked.
"Where we, and Fred and Gunn will be, there'll be no telecommunication signals. We'll carry a cell phone, but they'll likely not work for us." Wesley told her. "Also, we cannot be certain that they will work elsewhere if the timeline changes."
"But our charms." Cordelia protested.
"Will only keep you grounded." Wesley cut in. Thoughtfully, he added, "Although you and Angel might not need to wear them. Technically, you shouldn't carry memories of the last three years, thus you shouldn't be affected."
"So, even though my cell phone goes international, you're telling me that I won't be able to call you guys." Lindsay said slowly.
"This is getting really complicated." Willow said with worry.
"Not for me. Never did get used to those things." Angel muttered. Being the only one who heard him, Cordelia glared at him.
"Now, as you well know, we're relying on the files to help us locate the stones. You've each seen the pictures for your respective stones, so you'll be able to identify them. Willow and I will also be meeting Lorne's contact in South America. Apparently, this demon has worked with Almorra, the witch that created the Stones of Egrassa." Wesley continued. "We need to verify some things, just to make sure that we've covered all bases, especially with regards to restoring the timeline. Fred and Gunn, you're on your own, but rest assured, they do speak English where you're going." Turning to the blond man leaning casually against the check-in counter, he said, "Lindsey, I know you've been there before, but I would suggest that you find a guide since you're working alone."
"Don't worry about me." Lindsey replied confidently. "I'll be able to make my way around that part of the world easily."
"Angel, you should have no problems orienting yourself around the city. If you can, you and Cordelia should find Giles. He'll be an invaluable resource in case we need him." Wesley paused and looked at the faces staring back at him. "Good luck," he said softly. "Let's board our planes."
~~ Las Vegas, November 21, 1998 ~~
"What do you mean, she's not here?" Cordy demanded.
"Look, miss, Detective Lockley caught the guy this morning and booked outta here a few hours later," the police sargeant behind the counter said apologetically, rubbing his forehead tiredly.
"But we drove all the way out here because you guys said she'd be here for the next week." Cordelia continued irately.
"Cordy," Angel said, reaching for her hand.
"Let me handle this." she said, swatting his arm aside.
"You could have talked to her over the phone," the policeman pointed out.
"This is private and confidential business." Cordelia glared. "Not something we could just talk about over the phone."
"Miss, you could leave your name and number. We'll make sure she gets any messages --"
"And sit around the phone for a week waiting for her to call back? I don't think so. Is she headed back to L.A?"
The heavy-set man in uniform winced. "No. She said something about taking a week off. She's been really anxious to go somewhere, but didn't want to leave in the middle of the case." He put his hand up, as if to ward off a potential attack.
"Cordy." Angel repeated more urgently, reaching out again. This time, he caught her hand and held it.
She glanced down at their clasped hands for a moment, then looked deliberately back at the policeman. The policeman flinched.
"Thank you for your time." she said softly. The policeman looked surprised and relaxed noticeably.
"I'm so glad we didn't get stopped by a cop on the way here." Angel commented, as they exited the police station. Inwardly he was ready to kick himself. He kept opening his mouth and inserting his foot in, repeatedly. He didn't understand what was wrong with him because he'd never had that problem before. Closing his mouth, he looked down the street for something to focus his attention on.
"And I can't believe you're being such a baby about this." Cordy sniped back, as they made their way to the car. "We got here well before dawn, didn't we? That assured us several hours to hunt down Kate. At least, until she went AWOL." she added. She paused when she realized that Angel wasn't paying attention to what she was saying.
"It's almost surreal, thinking that this place ever sees daylight." Angel remarked as he gazed at the mass of bright lights blotting each side of the street.
"I'm surprised you don't live here instead." Cordy said, unable to hold back a grin. She stopped to stare at a garishly dressed man walking past, with a woman in a fur coat hanging on each arm. "On second thought..." She shook her head and turned to her travelling companion. "What do we do now? Kate's nowhere to be found."
"I guess we head back." Angel suggested glumly. "We can't drive around the world looking for her." He shook his head. "I can't believe this trip was such a waste."
"Tired of my company?" Cordy asked, a suspiciously upset tone in her voice.
"Of course not." he assured her, reaching over to squeeze her hand. She smiled faintly for a moment, then slipped her hand out of his.
Angel's eyes closed quickly, as he turned away. Cordy tilted her head, seeing a quick look flash across his face. 'What was that for?' she thought pensively. Before she could analyze it further, he had turned his head back with a smile and held out his hand. "My turn to drive."
Cordy's mouth twitched as she instinctively backed away from the car, her hand behind her back. "And I thought you were brave," she teased. "I was hardly going 50."
"Actually, you were going 80." he whispered in her ear, suddenly right behind her. She bumped into him, startled, and when she whirled around to face him, was dismayed to find the keys in his hand. "Don't be such a control freak." he winked, jiggling the keys in front of her.
Cordy crossed her arms, not taking the bait. "Fine, fine." she pouted. "But only because I want to sleep."
As they got into the car, Angel laughed, his features strangely relaxed. Cordy observed him carefully, realizing that he had laughed and joked more in the last few days than he had during his entire three years in Sunnydale. 'Unless he laughed in private with Buffy.' she thought. 'Somehow, I don't see them being all joyous in private when they couldn't even smile at each other in public.' She yawned, a tiredness unexpectedly overtaking her senses.
Suddenly feeling chatty, Angel laughed again. "Did I ever tell you about that time I went on this road trip all the way from L.A. to New York? Of course, that was in my impetuous early two hundreds--" He stopped, suddenly feeling something lean against his shoulder. Glancing over at the young woman comfortably snuggling against him, he smiled softly. "Never mind," he told her as her eyelids drooped heavily. He reached around to the back seat and then covered her with her own red camisole. As he started the car, he delicately kissed the top of her head. "I can always tell you some other time."
~~ The Yukon Territory, Canada, January 25, 2002 ~~
"I don't care how long it takes to get back to civilization, I ain't goin' back on that thing." Gunn complained as he wobbled down the stairs from the tiny plane in the hangar.
Fred smiled in sympathy at his slightly green face. "It's the size of the plane. The tiny wings of the plane don't provide as much resistence as the wind currents flow along them as larger ones and that's why there's more turbulence. And up north, the wind is stronger."
"Whatever the reason, I'm walking, driving back." he announced, then stopped as he stared at the vast blanket of white covering the ground.
"We could always use snowshoes." Fred suggested enthusiastically. She giggled as he made a frustrated face.
"It's going to be hard enough to walk around in these things." he said, gesturing to the huge jackets and gloves they had donned. "I feel like the 'Stay-Puft Marshmallow' man."
"I think they're darling." Fred said impishly. She held out her arms to each side and twirled around once in her snow white ski jacket as Gunn gazed at her surprisingly graceful-looking girlishness.
"So, how do we get around this place?" Gunn said, clearing his throat.
"There's a shuttle bus that comes by to take us to town." the pilot said, coming up behind them. "From there, it's your business how to get around. You can rent cars, snowmobiles."
Fred's eyes went round as she heard the last word. "I've always wanted to ride a snowmobile!" she said excitedly.
Gunn gave her a half-smile. "How about we finish our mission first before trying that." he said. Turning to the pilot, he asked, "So, when's this shuttle coming by?"
"Probably another hour or so," the pilot answered. "We don't get that many folks up this way during this time of year."
"Oh," Gunn replied. He felt the cold chill of the northern winds blowing across his face and resisted the urge to shiver. At least, not in public. "What do we do in the meantime?"
"We play!" Fred's cheerful voice cut in behind him. He turned and was hit square in the face with something hard, wet and very cold. Shaking his head to clear his vision, he wiped his cheek and looked at his hand. Several little white snowflakes were rapidly melting against his glove. "What are you waiting for?" she giggled at him. Another white snowball hit him in the arm.
"Nothing." he answered, grinning at her. He scooped up a gloveful of snow from the ground and threw it towards her. The snowflakes flew apart in the air.
"You have to pack it together." she instructed. "Like this," Fred said as she neatly formed a snowball.
"Prepare to be pulverized." Gunn smirked as he scooped up another gloveful and imitated her movements. He drew his hand back and threw his snowball at her. She ducked and giggled as it sailed harmlessly past her. Gunn stood standing in dismay. "Or not -- oof." he trailed off as another snowball quickly hit him in the chin.
'Well, this is one way to pass the time.' he thought, as he tore after a rapidly fleeing Fred. He grinned as he successfully ducked his first snowball and caught up to her. As he tackled her to the soft ground, he laughed with her as he mused, 'And what a way it is.'
~~ En-route to Sunnydale, November 21, 1998 ~~
Cordelia was running down a dark alleyway.
She could sense it. It was a vampire. She couldn't hear, smell, or see it, but she recognized its presence. She felt its pursuit, pushing her deeper into the dark chasms of shadows and night. Almost disembodied, she heard a pounding heart, the frantic footsteps echoing off the pavement, reverberating all around her.
As she passed through unfamiliar, abandoned streets and backways, she felt the growing panic of a victim realizing her last moments alive, human. She turned a sharp corner and saw the fatal mistake. Ahead of her was a brick wall. An impenetrable barrier.
The smell of fear run rancid in that last alleyway. Ragged gasps came out, a mixture of fear and desperation. She put up a fight, but it wasn't enough. As the vampire approached its victim, it smiled, baring its newly acquired fangs.
Cordelia sneered as she sank her teeth into her victim. The warm gift of life ebbed slowly from her female prey, as it provided another few hours of sustenance for her.
And that was when Cordy woke up with a gasp.
The first thing that she became aware of was the strong shoulder her head was leaning on. The second was the wind that ruffled against her hair, causing it to flow backwards. The third thing should have been of the beautiful smile that rested peacefully on Angel's face.
But she didn't notice that as she skittered across the shiny seat and smushed herself against the door in panic. Nor did she see the hurt that clearly delineated Angel's face.
"Are you okay?" Angel asked, the pained look quickly replaced with one of concern as he took in her puffy eyes and the way she held her head.
"I'm fine." Cordy said automatically, swallowing hard. She focused on staring at her knees, calming her rapidly beating heart. 'It's okay. I'm with Angel. I'm safe,' she thought. Slowly raising her head, she saw that Angel wasn't going to let this incident slide. "Maybe I'm a little not fine." she admitted shakily.
"Okay, hang on." he said as he sailed off the next highway exit. Seeing a diner up ahead, he headed for its parking lot. Once parked, he jumped out of the car and supported her as he helped her into the diner.
"You don't have to act like I'm going to break." she protested, but her legs were shaking like jelly.
"I'm not." Angel told her soothingly. "Just helping you get in."
"You know what, I don't need to go in. I don't want to." she said stumbling and holding her head. She didn't put up a fight when he scooped her up and gently placed her back onto the car seat.
"Be right back.", he said to her, giving her a quick kiss on her forehead. Briskly, he disappeared into the diner and half a minute later, appeared again and slid in next to her.
"Thanks," she said, as he handed her a hot cup. Not knowing what it was, she took a sip and made a face when she tasted lemon tea. "No caffeine?" she asked hopefully, knowing what his answer would be before he shook his head. "I know, I know. This stuff is better for me."
"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?" Angel asked her quietly, casually leaning his arm on the top of the seat behind her. Only, the piercing gold-flecked eyes watching her belied his tenseness.
"Just fell asleep the wrong way..." Cordy said weakly, trying to think of a way to reply flippantly. The reply fell, unspoken, on her lips when she saw the look on his face.
"Why won't you let me in?" Angel's eyes were dark. She expected him to growl or show some sort of frustration but his voice only sounded incredibly sad to her. He sat straight in his seat beside her, staring into the void ahead of him and leaving her to gaze at his profile.
Something in her chest felt pain as they sat in silence.
"They're hurting me again." she told him softly, so softly that he wouldn't have heard it if it weren't for his extra sensitive hearing. He waited patiently for her to continue. "They've been hurting since we fell asleep with Connor."
"Your visions?"
"They're not visions, exactly. They're dreams."
Angel turned to face her again and grasped her hands tightly. "Do you think they're from the Powers That Be?" he asked in a low voice.
"I don't know. I don't think so." Cordy responded. "I can't be sure, but they're not like predictions. The first one was just a bunch of images. This last one was a nightmare." She rubbed her temples in confusion and stared down at their hands, his wrapped so closely around hers that they seemed melded as one. If he was afraid that she would try pulling her hand away as usual, he shouldn't have been. She had no intention of doing that. If anything, she desperately wanted him to hold and comfort her.
Only, she didn't tell him. Instead, she simply added, "Besides, I was so sure that the Powers wouldn't do that to me again."
Angel leaned closer to her. "Maybe so," he said thoughtfully. "But, we should find out for sure."
The thing that was hurting in Cordy's chest started sinking. "It's nothing," she insisted. "Let's just get out of here and go back to Sunnydale." She tugged at her hands to escape his strong hold. This time, they held fast.
"No," he said determinedly. "We're making a detour first and getting to the bottom of this." Cordy looked into Angel's eyes and saw what he was thinking. "We're going to the Powers That Be."
~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~
A/N: As you can see, I have decided to take it around the world! I'm doing research because I haven't been to all the places I'll be writing about, but I'm also going to request help from you! If you're from an area that the characters are going to (for instance, the Yukon), I'd love some advice on describing each place. If not, I'm basing it on information from the Internet and watching Hollywood movies. :)
Anyway, hope you guys are still enjoying it!
All disclaimers apply from before.
Want to do me the honour of posting this story? Please ask hollywoodphoenix@yahoo.com for permission first. Thx.
Chapter 13: Around the world
By Hollywood Phoenix
(c) June 1, 2002
~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~
~~ Wolfram & Hart, January 24, 2002 ~~
Lilah stalked around her immaculate office in her equally immaculate heels and perfectly pressed suit. An irritated look passed over her face as she took in the broken door lock, the papers strewn on the floor, and the computer that was still on.
"Well well well," a smooth voice broke in. "Looks like someone's got some cleaning up to do."
"Get out, Gavin." she snarled without turning around. "I'm busy."
"Yes, I can see that," was the Asian-American man's wry answer. "Careful, Ms. Morgan, you're losing your hand. Perhaps like your predecessor." he said meaningfully.
"He wasn't my predecessor. Besides, I'll never be like him. He's a loser who walked away from the dream." she said fiercely.
"Yes, but you're not still living it, are you?" Gavin gloated.
Lilah pursed her lips and feigned indifference, "Are you still here?"
"I wouldn't be so quick to turn my back if I were you. I've received some new information that I'm sure you'll be interested in." Gavin said, holding up a file folder.
Lilah stalked up to him and made a grab for the folder. Quickly, Gavin sidestepped her and the folder slipped from her grasp.
"Uh uh, not yet. I'm enjoying this. Might as well prolong it, as it might be the last chance for quite a while." Gavin teased.
Lilah gave him an impatient glare. "What are you talking about?"
Gavin smirked. "It looks like someone, or should I say a few someones are looking for certain stones... relating to your pet project."
"Lindsey? Who else?" Lilah asked, successfully grabbing the folder out of Gavin's hands.
"I'll give you one guess. Your friendly, neighbourhood..."
"Angel Investigations." Lilah finished, reading the airline reservation records.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your office while you're gone." Gavin whispered, as he triumphantly sailed out of her office.
Lilah stared after him, and then back at the list of destinations in front of her. She picked up her phone and spoke curtly into it, "I need to book a flight immediately."
~~ En-route to Las Vegas, November 20, 1998 ~~
As soon as the sun set, Cordy made her way to Angel's mansion.
"You know, I've never actually seen where you lived before." she said, rotating on one heel, staring at the place.
Angel shot her a look, having never realized it before. "Strange how we didn't really know each other before L.A." he started slowly.
"It just goes to show you how wrong first impressions are." Cordy said, with a slightly affected air of maturity. Angel unsuccessfully struggled with the smile creeping on his face.
"As I recall, you had quite a first impression of me. What was it you called me? Salty goodness?" Angel quipped.
Cordy's mind whirled. 'I can't believe you remembered,' she thought. 'Well, as if I would admit to it now!' Aloud, she scoffed to him, "Clearly your vampire memory isn't quite like your hearing."
"I'm not going to hold you to it." Angel simply replied knowingly.
She started turning red, something she couldn't ever remember doing, at least not since she started high school. "That's because there's nothing to hold to me!" she declared as she shot him a glare.
"So, should we get going?" Angel asked casually, realizing that he should switch topic right away. He was still hoping to broach her problems with the visions. Cordy nodded and he held the door open for her.
"No lock?" she asked, when he simply closed it and walked away.
Angel smirked, "It's not like anyone's really dying to break in here."
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe someone with a vampire wardrobe fetish would want to." she said coyly, referring to his black leather pants and sweater. Angel groaned.
"Here we go," he said under his breath, but he was smiling. "Dressing me in colours and clothes you like. You know you're like Pygmalion?"
"Pig who?" Cordy wrinkled her nose.
"Pygmalion," Angel informed her, "was this man who created this woman and molded her to fit his idea of the ideal woman." He peered at her to see her reaction.
She had none. "You're hardly my idea of ideal." She huffed. "And I'm not Pyg-whatever-his-name-is. You dress yourself perfectly fine. I only suggest colours." She poked at him. "I know you were literally one with the living dead before I came on the scene, but would it hurt to wear something cheerier like a muted gray or baby blue?" she wheedled.
"Baby blue?" Angel repeated in amusement.
"I think they'll go with your --" Cordy paused, looking for the right word. "--eyes..." she finished lamely.
"They happen to be brown." he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Six years you've known me and my salty goodness..."
"I know what colour your eyes are." Cordy sniffed, then fell silent.
Angel sighed quietly, sensing that he should quit while he was behind and likely not able to dig himself out of the hole he was miraculously digging himself in again. As they approached their mode of transportation, Cordy suddenly squealed.
"What is it with you and classic cars? And black ones at that?" she asked, running a hand smoothly over the exterior of the black hood.
"I always wanted to drive a black Cadillac," Angel shrugged cautiously. He peered at her, but her recent anger seemed to have dissipated.
At least for the moment.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she suddenly demanded. He froze, his hand on the car door, his right leg sliding into the driver's side.
"Did you want me to open your door for you?" he said, slightly panicked and very puzzled.
She pursed her lips and held out her hand. "Hand it over."
"No way." Angel shook his head again. But he had already come around and handed her the car keys.
Cordy giggled at the pout on his face as she settled in on the left hand side. "If you weren't such a major control freak all the time and let me behind the wheel every so often when we're back home..." Angel leaped over the car door and gracefully landed on the passenger seat. Cordy raised her eyebrows at the very obvious display on his part but inwardly suppressed an adoring grin playing on her lips. She started the car.
"That's only because I know how you drive --" he started to answer. The rest of his sentence fell away as the car tires squealed loudly when Cordy took off.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." she replied viciously.
As they sped past several cars and honking horns, Angel gripped the passenger door handle. Angel decided that it might be best to shut his mouth for the rest of the drive and let Cordy have her fun for a while. After all, the conversation about the visions could wait.
~~ The L.A. Airport, January 24, 2002 ~~
"What happened to travelling light?" Gunn groaned as he hefted one of Cordelia's suitcases from the cart onto the check-in belt.
Lindsey grinned sideways at Cordelia as he moved another of Cordelia's suitcases. Angel silently and effortlessly took care of the last of her suitcases. Upset with Gunn's complaint, Cordelia crossed her arms.
"Well, it's not like I get to go to a tropical island." Cordelia grumbled. "I wouldn't be bringing half as much then." Before Gunn could respond, she started complaining, "I don't see why I have to be stuck with 'Mr. No Fun' here."
Wesley held in his sigh, "The teams were divided logically..."
"And why couldn't I be going where he's going?" Cordy demanded, pointing at Lindsey. Fred gasped in wide-eyed astonishment.
"And there's an extremely valid reason for where you're going and with whom." Wesley continued, this time not bothering to hold back the sigh.
Sensing that Wesley was reaching breaking point, Willow took the opportunity to jump in. "I've also taken the opportunity to whip something up for everyone." She started handing out necklaces to everyone. "You need to put this on."
"You serious, red? What is it?" Gunn asked, fighting back a laugh. Holding it up, everyone could clearly see the tiny rock dangling on a slim piece of brown suede leather.
"It's a charm." Willow explained. "Wesley mentioned that the timeline in 1998 might change but we won't realize it. This will act as a ground. As long as you wear it, you'll remember this timeline."
"Wonderful." Wesley said to her, admiringly. For the first time in a long while, Willow blushed at the compliment, her face turning as red as her roots.
"What happens if we don't wear it?" Lindsey asked quietly.
"Best case, nothing. Worst case, the timeline changes so much that you won't remember what you're supposed to do. You won't remember anything about the stones and you might not even remember us." Willow replied somberly. "It's really important that you keep it on."
"Now, you've all got the spell that will make the stone brittle. The best thing to do is smash the stone. Once broken, it will become inactive." Wesley instructed.
"So, first person who breaks a stone calls everyone else? Then the rest of us goes home? So why do we all have to go somewhere?" Gunn asked. Fred poked him.
"Haven't you ever wanted to see snow?" she asked him excitedly.
"Yeah, but not when it's going to be 20 below." Gunn said, shaking his head but unable to keep away a lopsided grin.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken." Wesley interrupted. He glanced around at everyone else to make sure they were all listening. "First of all, one broken stone is not going to end this. The stones were each activated in a place that was strategically calculated to make that park on Baker Street the portal. They act as a ring, concentrating all the energies onto that park."
"Huh?" Cordelia asked in confusion.
"Bottom line is that everyone has to find their stone and destroy it. Otherwise, others could end up like you, and we won't be able to get you two back to your proper time period." Wesley concluded.
"Fair enough." Gunn said.
"And what's the second thing?" Angel asked, watching Wesley carefully.
"We won't be able to communicate via cell phone." Wesley said, wincing to brace himself for the reaction.
"What?" Cordelia demanded, widening her eyes. Gunn made a noise of frustration. Fred held onto her arms, her forehead etched in worry and Lindsey raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Why?" Willow asked.
"Where we, and Fred and Gunn will be, there'll be no telecommunication signals. We'll carry a cell phone, but they'll likely not work for us." Wesley told her. "Also, we cannot be certain that they will work elsewhere if the timeline changes."
"But our charms." Cordelia protested.
"Will only keep you grounded." Wesley cut in. Thoughtfully, he added, "Although you and Angel might not need to wear them. Technically, you shouldn't carry memories of the last three years, thus you shouldn't be affected."
"So, even though my cell phone goes international, you're telling me that I won't be able to call you guys." Lindsay said slowly.
"This is getting really complicated." Willow said with worry.
"Not for me. Never did get used to those things." Angel muttered. Being the only one who heard him, Cordelia glared at him.
"Now, as you well know, we're relying on the files to help us locate the stones. You've each seen the pictures for your respective stones, so you'll be able to identify them. Willow and I will also be meeting Lorne's contact in South America. Apparently, this demon has worked with Almorra, the witch that created the Stones of Egrassa." Wesley continued. "We need to verify some things, just to make sure that we've covered all bases, especially with regards to restoring the timeline. Fred and Gunn, you're on your own, but rest assured, they do speak English where you're going." Turning to the blond man leaning casually against the check-in counter, he said, "Lindsey, I know you've been there before, but I would suggest that you find a guide since you're working alone."
"Don't worry about me." Lindsey replied confidently. "I'll be able to make my way around that part of the world easily."
"Angel, you should have no problems orienting yourself around the city. If you can, you and Cordelia should find Giles. He'll be an invaluable resource in case we need him." Wesley paused and looked at the faces staring back at him. "Good luck," he said softly. "Let's board our planes."
~~ Las Vegas, November 21, 1998 ~~
"What do you mean, she's not here?" Cordy demanded.
"Look, miss, Detective Lockley caught the guy this morning and booked outta here a few hours later," the police sargeant behind the counter said apologetically, rubbing his forehead tiredly.
"But we drove all the way out here because you guys said she'd be here for the next week." Cordelia continued irately.
"Cordy," Angel said, reaching for her hand.
"Let me handle this." she said, swatting his arm aside.
"You could have talked to her over the phone," the policeman pointed out.
"This is private and confidential business." Cordelia glared. "Not something we could just talk about over the phone."
"Miss, you could leave your name and number. We'll make sure she gets any messages --"
"And sit around the phone for a week waiting for her to call back? I don't think so. Is she headed back to L.A?"
The heavy-set man in uniform winced. "No. She said something about taking a week off. She's been really anxious to go somewhere, but didn't want to leave in the middle of the case." He put his hand up, as if to ward off a potential attack.
"Cordy." Angel repeated more urgently, reaching out again. This time, he caught her hand and held it.
She glanced down at their clasped hands for a moment, then looked deliberately back at the policeman. The policeman flinched.
"Thank you for your time." she said softly. The policeman looked surprised and relaxed noticeably.
"I'm so glad we didn't get stopped by a cop on the way here." Angel commented, as they exited the police station. Inwardly he was ready to kick himself. He kept opening his mouth and inserting his foot in, repeatedly. He didn't understand what was wrong with him because he'd never had that problem before. Closing his mouth, he looked down the street for something to focus his attention on.
"And I can't believe you're being such a baby about this." Cordy sniped back, as they made their way to the car. "We got here well before dawn, didn't we? That assured us several hours to hunt down Kate. At least, until she went AWOL." she added. She paused when she realized that Angel wasn't paying attention to what she was saying.
"It's almost surreal, thinking that this place ever sees daylight." Angel remarked as he gazed at the mass of bright lights blotting each side of the street.
"I'm surprised you don't live here instead." Cordy said, unable to hold back a grin. She stopped to stare at a garishly dressed man walking past, with a woman in a fur coat hanging on each arm. "On second thought..." She shook her head and turned to her travelling companion. "What do we do now? Kate's nowhere to be found."
"I guess we head back." Angel suggested glumly. "We can't drive around the world looking for her." He shook his head. "I can't believe this trip was such a waste."
"Tired of my company?" Cordy asked, a suspiciously upset tone in her voice.
"Of course not." he assured her, reaching over to squeeze her hand. She smiled faintly for a moment, then slipped her hand out of his.
Angel's eyes closed quickly, as he turned away. Cordy tilted her head, seeing a quick look flash across his face. 'What was that for?' she thought pensively. Before she could analyze it further, he had turned his head back with a smile and held out his hand. "My turn to drive."
Cordy's mouth twitched as she instinctively backed away from the car, her hand behind her back. "And I thought you were brave," she teased. "I was hardly going 50."
"Actually, you were going 80." he whispered in her ear, suddenly right behind her. She bumped into him, startled, and when she whirled around to face him, was dismayed to find the keys in his hand. "Don't be such a control freak." he winked, jiggling the keys in front of her.
Cordy crossed her arms, not taking the bait. "Fine, fine." she pouted. "But only because I want to sleep."
As they got into the car, Angel laughed, his features strangely relaxed. Cordy observed him carefully, realizing that he had laughed and joked more in the last few days than he had during his entire three years in Sunnydale. 'Unless he laughed in private with Buffy.' she thought. 'Somehow, I don't see them being all joyous in private when they couldn't even smile at each other in public.' She yawned, a tiredness unexpectedly overtaking her senses.
Suddenly feeling chatty, Angel laughed again. "Did I ever tell you about that time I went on this road trip all the way from L.A. to New York? Of course, that was in my impetuous early two hundreds--" He stopped, suddenly feeling something lean against his shoulder. Glancing over at the young woman comfortably snuggling against him, he smiled softly. "Never mind," he told her as her eyelids drooped heavily. He reached around to the back seat and then covered her with her own red camisole. As he started the car, he delicately kissed the top of her head. "I can always tell you some other time."
~~ The Yukon Territory, Canada, January 25, 2002 ~~
"I don't care how long it takes to get back to civilization, I ain't goin' back on that thing." Gunn complained as he wobbled down the stairs from the tiny plane in the hangar.
Fred smiled in sympathy at his slightly green face. "It's the size of the plane. The tiny wings of the plane don't provide as much resistence as the wind currents flow along them as larger ones and that's why there's more turbulence. And up north, the wind is stronger."
"Whatever the reason, I'm walking, driving back." he announced, then stopped as he stared at the vast blanket of white covering the ground.
"We could always use snowshoes." Fred suggested enthusiastically. She giggled as he made a frustrated face.
"It's going to be hard enough to walk around in these things." he said, gesturing to the huge jackets and gloves they had donned. "I feel like the 'Stay-Puft Marshmallow' man."
"I think they're darling." Fred said impishly. She held out her arms to each side and twirled around once in her snow white ski jacket as Gunn gazed at her surprisingly graceful-looking girlishness.
"So, how do we get around this place?" Gunn said, clearing his throat.
"There's a shuttle bus that comes by to take us to town." the pilot said, coming up behind them. "From there, it's your business how to get around. You can rent cars, snowmobiles."
Fred's eyes went round as she heard the last word. "I've always wanted to ride a snowmobile!" she said excitedly.
Gunn gave her a half-smile. "How about we finish our mission first before trying that." he said. Turning to the pilot, he asked, "So, when's this shuttle coming by?"
"Probably another hour or so," the pilot answered. "We don't get that many folks up this way during this time of year."
"Oh," Gunn replied. He felt the cold chill of the northern winds blowing across his face and resisted the urge to shiver. At least, not in public. "What do we do in the meantime?"
"We play!" Fred's cheerful voice cut in behind him. He turned and was hit square in the face with something hard, wet and very cold. Shaking his head to clear his vision, he wiped his cheek and looked at his hand. Several little white snowflakes were rapidly melting against his glove. "What are you waiting for?" she giggled at him. Another white snowball hit him in the arm.
"Nothing." he answered, grinning at her. He scooped up a gloveful of snow from the ground and threw it towards her. The snowflakes flew apart in the air.
"You have to pack it together." she instructed. "Like this," Fred said as she neatly formed a snowball.
"Prepare to be pulverized." Gunn smirked as he scooped up another gloveful and imitated her movements. He drew his hand back and threw his snowball at her. She ducked and giggled as it sailed harmlessly past her. Gunn stood standing in dismay. "Or not -- oof." he trailed off as another snowball quickly hit him in the chin.
'Well, this is one way to pass the time.' he thought, as he tore after a rapidly fleeing Fred. He grinned as he successfully ducked his first snowball and caught up to her. As he tackled her to the soft ground, he laughed with her as he mused, 'And what a way it is.'
~~ En-route to Sunnydale, November 21, 1998 ~~
Cordelia was running down a dark alleyway.
She could sense it. It was a vampire. She couldn't hear, smell, or see it, but she recognized its presence. She felt its pursuit, pushing her deeper into the dark chasms of shadows and night. Almost disembodied, she heard a pounding heart, the frantic footsteps echoing off the pavement, reverberating all around her.
As she passed through unfamiliar, abandoned streets and backways, she felt the growing panic of a victim realizing her last moments alive, human. She turned a sharp corner and saw the fatal mistake. Ahead of her was a brick wall. An impenetrable barrier.
The smell of fear run rancid in that last alleyway. Ragged gasps came out, a mixture of fear and desperation. She put up a fight, but it wasn't enough. As the vampire approached its victim, it smiled, baring its newly acquired fangs.
Cordelia sneered as she sank her teeth into her victim. The warm gift of life ebbed slowly from her female prey, as it provided another few hours of sustenance for her.
And that was when Cordy woke up with a gasp.
The first thing that she became aware of was the strong shoulder her head was leaning on. The second was the wind that ruffled against her hair, causing it to flow backwards. The third thing should have been of the beautiful smile that rested peacefully on Angel's face.
But she didn't notice that as she skittered across the shiny seat and smushed herself against the door in panic. Nor did she see the hurt that clearly delineated Angel's face.
"Are you okay?" Angel asked, the pained look quickly replaced with one of concern as he took in her puffy eyes and the way she held her head.
"I'm fine." Cordy said automatically, swallowing hard. She focused on staring at her knees, calming her rapidly beating heart. 'It's okay. I'm with Angel. I'm safe,' she thought. Slowly raising her head, she saw that Angel wasn't going to let this incident slide. "Maybe I'm a little not fine." she admitted shakily.
"Okay, hang on." he said as he sailed off the next highway exit. Seeing a diner up ahead, he headed for its parking lot. Once parked, he jumped out of the car and supported her as he helped her into the diner.
"You don't have to act like I'm going to break." she protested, but her legs were shaking like jelly.
"I'm not." Angel told her soothingly. "Just helping you get in."
"You know what, I don't need to go in. I don't want to." she said stumbling and holding her head. She didn't put up a fight when he scooped her up and gently placed her back onto the car seat.
"Be right back.", he said to her, giving her a quick kiss on her forehead. Briskly, he disappeared into the diner and half a minute later, appeared again and slid in next to her.
"Thanks," she said, as he handed her a hot cup. Not knowing what it was, she took a sip and made a face when she tasted lemon tea. "No caffeine?" she asked hopefully, knowing what his answer would be before he shook his head. "I know, I know. This stuff is better for me."
"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?" Angel asked her quietly, casually leaning his arm on the top of the seat behind her. Only, the piercing gold-flecked eyes watching her belied his tenseness.
"Just fell asleep the wrong way..." Cordy said weakly, trying to think of a way to reply flippantly. The reply fell, unspoken, on her lips when she saw the look on his face.
"Why won't you let me in?" Angel's eyes were dark. She expected him to growl or show some sort of frustration but his voice only sounded incredibly sad to her. He sat straight in his seat beside her, staring into the void ahead of him and leaving her to gaze at his profile.
Something in her chest felt pain as they sat in silence.
"They're hurting me again." she told him softly, so softly that he wouldn't have heard it if it weren't for his extra sensitive hearing. He waited patiently for her to continue. "They've been hurting since we fell asleep with Connor."
"Your visions?"
"They're not visions, exactly. They're dreams."
Angel turned to face her again and grasped her hands tightly. "Do you think they're from the Powers That Be?" he asked in a low voice.
"I don't know. I don't think so." Cordy responded. "I can't be sure, but they're not like predictions. The first one was just a bunch of images. This last one was a nightmare." She rubbed her temples in confusion and stared down at their hands, his wrapped so closely around hers that they seemed melded as one. If he was afraid that she would try pulling her hand away as usual, he shouldn't have been. She had no intention of doing that. If anything, she desperately wanted him to hold and comfort her.
Only, she didn't tell him. Instead, she simply added, "Besides, I was so sure that the Powers wouldn't do that to me again."
Angel leaned closer to her. "Maybe so," he said thoughtfully. "But, we should find out for sure."
The thing that was hurting in Cordy's chest started sinking. "It's nothing," she insisted. "Let's just get out of here and go back to Sunnydale." She tugged at her hands to escape his strong hold. This time, they held fast.
"No," he said determinedly. "We're making a detour first and getting to the bottom of this." Cordy looked into Angel's eyes and saw what he was thinking. "We're going to the Powers That Be."
~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~
A/N: As you can see, I have decided to take it around the world! I'm doing research because I haven't been to all the places I'll be writing about, but I'm also going to request help from you! If you're from an area that the characters are going to (for instance, the Yukon), I'd love some advice on describing each place. If not, I'm basing it on information from the Internet and watching Hollywood movies. :)
Anyway, hope you guys are still enjoying it!