Chapter 3 of 7: Seconds of Waiting
(c) March 1, 2002, last update June 22, 2002
~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ @ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
Something's wrong.
Angel stopped in the middle of the deserted parking lot and listened to the absolute silence. He took out his phone and gazed at it for a minute, considering his options. I could call Wesley.
No. He mentally chided himself for panicking so quickly. Take it like a man.
The next second, he had his phone flipped open and was dialing the numbers for the Hyperion. Before it rang even once, he flipped it down again. I can wait another few seconds.
It was at that moment that a large hairy creature chose to appear. It sprang out from behind some bushes, baring its claws and slobbering all over its chest. Angel dodged to his right easily, slipping the phone into his coat pocket. Turning towards his opponent, he deftly landed a mighty blow to the beast's face.
Two minutes later, a huge sword was sticking upwards, out of the monster's chest. Angel reached into his coat pocket and started willing his phone to ring again.
Something must be very wrong. As if on cue, the phone lit up and rang.
"Angel," he greeted calmly.
"Hey! I'm back." Cordy's lyrical tone was music to his ears. Angel heard her exhuberance and took a deep breath.
"Cordy! What a surprise! I wasn't expecting you to call so soon." he enthused. Was that too forced? What took her so long?
"Angel, I did say I would call," Cordy reminded him.
"That you did." he agreed warmly. "So how was -- wait. Did you say you're back? Back in L.A. When? Why?" Is it because you missed me?
"Whoa, rewind! I meant that I'm back on the phone with you." she clarified. "Ringing any bells? To continue our phone conversation? Officially hour two of a five hour marathon?" she panned, melodramatically.
"Oh," he exhaled, disheartened. Stupid. Next, you'll be hitting your head repeatedly on the nearest white picket fence.
"Angel, why do I get the distinct feeling that you've been waiting for my phone call all night?" In his head, he watched her roll her eyes.
"Not all night," he sniffed, trying to sound offended. It's not like I was going to call the cavalry in to find you... at least not for another five seconds. He gave in to the urge to explain himself, "I was tracking a furry wildebeast."
"Uh huh." she jeered, knowingly. "Did you have to help it out of a tree?" Why did you say that? You guessed the truth already.
Desperate to change the subject, Angel focused the spotlight on her. "So, tell me about your party." he said in his most neutral voice.
"Oh, yeah, I didn't tell you about my trip so far. Last night's party was so chilling. The food and drinks were fabulous and the partying lasted until dawn. It reminded me of that party back when I first ran into you in L.A. Except, I wasn't all anxious to get a good contact. And I tried not to ignore anyone this time."
Angel fought the urge to flinch. "A nice, normal party." He commented mildly. "That's always fun. And a great way to unwind." Sure I think it's fun. Knowing me, you'll buy that. Could I be anymore transparent?
"Well, you haven't heard my whole story. There was this night-time surfing contest, which Groo won, hands down. Even though he just learned to surf this week." Show off. "And it was after Groo drank, like, 12 beers. But he didn't get drunk, not even a little sloshed." That's nothing. When I was Liam, I could hold my liquor. I had to fight the wenches off me. "He must have this iron stomach, which come to think of it, it feels like he does." You're feeling his stomach...? In disgust, Angel concentrated on what she was saying next. "Then this couple asked me and Groo to go dancing with them at this great new island club. Like, the club was actually outdoors, on the island. With big palm trees and lots of calypso music. There was this wonderful breeze coming off the ocean." With Groo putting his arm around your shoulders to warm you up. I would have tried that. "And it was so funny because Groo danced like..."
Angel tuned out as Cordelia went on to prattle about her activities from the previous week. If she mentions his name again, I'm going to be sick. I guess with all that she's been doing, she couldn't have much time to 'com-shuk' what's-his-face.
"I guess you didn't try that potion yet." he suddenly found himself saying. I really said that out loud, didn't I? I can crawl under a rock now. Or just find some nice dark little corner...
"Oh sure, " Cordy answered nonchalently. "It tastes like a really good soy latte." What?
"You know, we tried it once." Cordy filled in, as Angel didn't reply. I can't breathe.
"It was after we solved the case of the girl " I knew something was wrong. "who looked like an old woman." I don't need to breathe. "And it turned out to be this hex?" Say something "By the end of the evening, I ruined" That's what got me feeling this way. "my brand new" Open your mouth "strappy heels. And you said I had made this huge sacrifice, so you'd do" Anything. "anything for me..."
SAY SOMETHING!
"Even have one of those weird health drinks with me." she concluded, seemingly unaware that Angel couldn't respond.
"I remember." Angel said, finally finding his voice again. Did that come out too ticked off? I can't believe you really drank it. "I'm... glad that it's all working out for you." Stake me now. "When are you coming back?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cordy replied in a noncommittal way. "It's been three years since I've had my first real vacation. I figure I deserve an extra long break. After all, even superheroes get occasional worker's comp... right?"
"Right." Angel tried to chuckle at the joke. It sounded scary to his ears. On second thought, I'll stake myself.
"You know, you should go on a vacation." she said suddenly.
"What?" Angel hadn't expected that.
"Well, you of all people deserve time off from your regular brooding and all. Do you ever get a break from being yourself? Really?" she persisted.
"You know what they say, there's no such thing as rest for the wicked. Or in our case, demons." Angel gave a short laugh. Then, he amended, "Except for you. Seems as if the Powers That Be are granting you a vacation as well."
Cordelia drew silent. Angel's head screamed furiously. No, anything but that. This is my town. You're my Seer...
"I had a vision." she whispered. The seconds ticked. "Groo took care of it." He heard the air intake as she took in a big breath. Then she fervently tried soothing him, "It was just your run-of-the-mill vampire. Wouldn't have been worth your time at all." she hesitated, before saying, "Groo didn't even work up a sweat. And you would have had to drive all the way out here. It would have taken you so far away from Connor..."
Angel winced at Cordelia's clumsy attempt to pacify him. This isn't real. Isn't it cruel to keep turning that stake? He stiffened his resolve. I'm not letting this beat me. She's with him now. It's only natural that he's become her champion. It's all a case of bad timing. Yeah, not letting this beat me. "Good for him." he remarked. Maybe that sounded half sincere.
He heard her swallow once, hard.
"Yeah," she said. It sounded sad.
That's just my damn imagination. Great, I can't even separate my delusions from the real deal.
Angel slouched against a tree. All of a sudden, he didn't want to hear anymore. He looked up and saw the moon winking at him. The lady of the moon is mocking me too.
"Angel, are you still there?" Cordy's voice seemed miles away.
It's only been a week. Millions of seconds. Only seconds for her to forget me.
He opened his mouth. He sounded hollow. "Yeah, Cordy. I forgot to do something. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
Before she could respond, he turned off his phone. The stars in the sky twinkled at him knowingly when he grabbed the handle of his sword. Birds in the trees around him screeched as he pulled the blade out of the dead demon with a sickening swoosh. Ignoring the blood and guts dripping from the tip, he lowered his head, and under the moon's watchful eye, made the lonely trek home.
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there...