A/N: This is my silly fic. It's more C/X frienship now, but I really don't have a clue yet. Anyway, thanks for those who emailed me to let me know that you're enjoying this story. Please keep the reviews coming! I'm a feedback hog. :) Mucho gratitude!!!
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or the setting. But these stories are 100% mine. Seriously, please don't sue! I'm just a fan!
Chapter 4
(c) May 26, 2002
~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~
I don't know how it happened. How I was in Vegas all of a sudden. How there were rows of benches in front of me. How when I looked down, I saw that I was in a cheap white satin dress and holding a bouquet of white roses. All I know is that when I saw a large man in an Elvis wig and dressed in a shiny white two-piece suit with dangling gold chains holding a book and an unbelievably wrinkled old man straining out his version of 'Here Comes the Bride' on an accordian, my throat closed, my chest started pounding and I wanted to cry.
Maybe more so because of the dark-haired guy standing in front of Father Elvis at the alter. It wasn't because I knew him. Because I did. And that made it all the scarier.
Even more terrifying still was seeing his ex on the opposite side of him, holding a bouquet of pink roses and beaming like she was really happy.
My legs are glued to the floor, but somehow I've made it to the front. Anya on my left. Xander on my right.
Oh, god, I'm marrying Xander.
I'm marrying Xander, I think. I'm going to be Mrs. Cordelia Harris.
It's not a bad name, but when I dated him, I never even considered it. So, what am I doing now? I must be drunk. No, I'm clearly in my senses even though my legs aren't working properly. Smell my breath, no alcohol. Always a good indicator of drunkenness.
Smell his breath. He doesn't smell like he's drunk either. Hmmm, actually he smells minty fresh. Like, he's been brushing his teeth for two hours, fresh.
Focus. Breathe. What's going on. Wait, what's The King Minister saying?
"And if anyone here has any objections to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Oh lord. Speak, dammit! Ohhhh, can't speak. Well, someone else, say something!
"I object!"
Thank you! I silently look up. Turning around, I look at my savior.
Oh, it's him. Ladies and gentlemen, my hero. My champion.
Why, of course who else could it be?
He sweeps in with his black trenchcoat billowing around him. It's like slow-motion as time starts to crawl while he makes his way up the aisle. It's ridiculous, but I'm thinking that while he's as cool as usual, the least he could have done is wear something more suitable to my wedding.
Not that there will be one.
My black knight strides up now and starts advancing on Not-Really-Elvis, who drops his text and scurries behind the accordian grandfather.
Xander, to his credit, does not go the way of Elvis and lets out a loud yelp instead. "Hey dead-boy, I was wondering when my best man would show."
Oh, say it's not true.
Anya shines her chipper than a cheery chipmunk smile onto the manpire in black leather. "You're just in time for the best part," she enthuses. Could her teeth be any whiter? I can almost imagine this gleam off her biscupids.
My would-be champion turns to me now and furrows his brows at me. "So, you're marrying Xander," he remarks.
Well, like it's not obvious when I'm dressed head-to-toe in white and standing at the front of a Vegas chapel. "Looks that way," I shoot back wryly. Gee, we're such great conversationalists. That's the secret to our best friendship.
My vampire smirks at me. "Maybe I shouldn't stand in the way."
And they say chivalry is dead.
I never knew I had it in me, but I'm snarling now. Look out, angry pissed-off bride.
"Are you saying that you want me to marry him?" I demand.
Angel runs a hand through his very nicely cropped perpetually bed-head hair and opens his mouth. Unfortunately, he doesn't say something because an uninvited guest has arrived.
Buffy the vampire slayer has burst in, arriving in her usual 'bust through the double doors and storm in with a pout' style. She makes a stance, which I will only describe as very vampy super-heroine.
Maybe I'll also comment on her continual lack of Charlie's Angels fashion. Or in this case, Angel's Angel fashion.
I must be drunk.
"Stop right there!" she cries. "The wedding must go on!"
Okay, now I'm confused. If we stop, how can the wedding... oh, why do I bother? I'm starting to take things as literally as Fred.
Speaking of whom, I expect, will walk in right now and start declaring that kyerumption and moira is totally out of whack. It would be great if Lorne was here to back her up. Because, there's nothing like having more demons and crazy people to surround me.
Or maybe it's I who's insane. I must be, for having listened to Wesley enough to use 'I' in my previous thought and not 'me.'
The B-one stalks up to my A-one and shakes a disappointed finger at him. "You're mine forever. You told me so."
"No I didn't," Angel denies. He turns to me and pleads with his eyes.
"Well, you implied it." she concedes. Turning to me, she tells me, "You and Xander belong together. Like you always have. You're my second-string pals that found love along our journey together."
"Journey? To what?" I ask.
"You once said that Xander grows on you like a Chia pet. And you two grow together so well. Forever. Just like me and Angel." Buffy smiles.
Uh, did she even hear what I said?
"Angel's path will eventually lead back and intersect with mine. His little detour is just a plot to develop his character, make him more well-rounded than a brooding Romeo to my Juliet."
"Hark, my Juliet!" a new voice calls out.
I stare behind Buffy to see a blond-haired, pale-faced lean machine decked in leather stride up to us.
"How nice of you to join us," I say flippantly to him. He takes the time to wink at me and then starts in on Ms. I'm the Center of Everyone's Universe.
"Love, what are you doing?" Spike asks. "You're mine!" He reaches out, grabs her and pulls her to him. And then, he gives her the biggest smack on the lips that I have ever witnessed in my life.
Buffy pushes him away before he's finished. "Ewww... I'm not your love!" she shrieks. She looks at Angel. "Aren't you going to do something?".
Angel looks surprised. "Me? What can I do?"
"Defend my honour. You're supposed to be all jealous about this and beat the crap out of him." She tells him.
The bleached blond vampire smirks. "No, love. That's your job." Then he turns to me, "Well, look at you princess. All grown up and beeeauuutiful. What a shame you're gonna be Mrs. Xander Harris. What a waste."
"Hey!" Xander exclaims. "I resent that."
"I do too." Anya jumps in. "I was willing to become that."
I lift my hand up and put it on my forehead. I must be running a fever. Angel leans toward me and whispers, "You're not sick."
"So, why am I living this nightmare?" I demand.
"Because you need to --"
"Wake up. Cordy. We've stopped."
In a great haze, I open my eyes to see the bright light of day in the middle of a parking lot. In front of us is a huge flashing neon sign that screams 'CASINO' and beside us is less than stellar accomodations.
"Welcome to Vegas." I mutter under my breath. I look over at Xander who's still at the wheel. "Did you drive all night? Why didn't you wake me up to switch? Or at least keep you company along the way."
"It's all good." he says good-naturedly. "Besides, I didn't have the heart to wake you."
I raise my eyebrows questioningly at his mischievious grin.
He answers my unvoiced query. "You were drooling."
"Was not!" I exclaim, fighting the urge to whack at him. "I'm not a dog! Next thing you'll tell me is that I was snoring too."
Xander pauses dramatically. "Well..." he says meaningfully.
I cross my arms and look away. Oh yeah, I know the truth.
"So, ready to check out the scene?" Xander asks. "Or do you want more quality time with your pleasant dreams?"
I give him a look, trying to gauge what he means by that. But he just gets out of the car. I shrug and get out as well. Looking up at the harsh sun bearing down on us, I realize that it's been a while since I've really been outdoors during the day. Going to work and shopping when it's sunny out don't count.
But there's no time to dwell on forgotten luxuries like this. We're on a mission.
"Where do we start?"
***********************************
Vegas in the daytime is very different from Vegas at night.
Vegas during the day is normal. People walk around in their shades and Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts. Anyone who dresses in gold chains and an Elvis suit sticks out like a sore thumb. The whole town is like one big carnival. There are horror houses and fortune tellers and cheap games every two steps.
But at night is when the real fun begins. At night is when everything lights up and the crowds really come out to play. Casinos are full-swing here and the Vegas nightclubs are alight with tall, leggy, scantily clad dancers and flashy shows. I swear that if there was one thing that astronauts in space could see, it would be this town. I'm looking at all the guys around and thinking which ones are vampires because seriously, with this atmosphere, they all very well could be. I thought L.A. was pretty fake, but Vegas? It smells of money and lavish entertainment.
It's my kind of town.
During the day, Xander and I scoured the streets for Anya. We went to the places that he thought she would like to go first, like the casinos with lots of money and glittery lights. We hit them all, includng the Ritz and the Star Trek one twice, but they're pretty tame during the day, so we headed back out into the sun and hit the pavement. Only, she wasn't in sight anywhere.
Pretty soon, light faded into darkness. Walking around aimlessly, joking around casually with him, I'm finding that as I'm learning more and more about this new and improved Xander, I'm liking him very much.
We head back into one of the first casinos to find that it's packed with grinning, hopeful everyday sort of people like us. All of a sudden, in front of us, we see a girl squeal and jump up and down in excitement. Yeah, she just won big.
I'm tempted now. So is Xander. And we've been so good all day.
"Just five bucks?" he asks, reading my mind.
"Oh yeah," I nod. He's been up for more than 24 hours. I'm surprised he hasn't keeled over by now.
He heads up to the slot machines and feeds the bill through. Giving the handle a yank, we watch the wheels roll around.
Nope. No luck.
A few more yanks and we're fast running out of that five bucks worth. Last try, and Xander gets off the stool to give me a try. I take the offered seat and give the handle my best pull.
And am very surprised when I see three 7's staring back at me.
"You won!" Xander shouts. Suddenly I'm being hugged very tightly and jumping up and down.
Wow, this was just too easy. The coins are flying out now, spilling onto to the plush carpet. My eyes widen like saucers as I stare at the glittery gold.
"You're my good luck charm." Xander grins, as he picks the money up and starts counting. "There must be five thousand dollars here."
I shake my head to clear it. I've never won at the casinos before. "So, what next?"
Xander grins at me as he jiggles some gold coins in his hand. "We keep playing."
Okay, mission forgotten.
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or the setting. But these stories are 100% mine. Seriously, please don't sue! I'm just a fan!
Chapter 4
(c) May 26, 2002
~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~ ~~ * ~~
I don't know how it happened. How I was in Vegas all of a sudden. How there were rows of benches in front of me. How when I looked down, I saw that I was in a cheap white satin dress and holding a bouquet of white roses. All I know is that when I saw a large man in an Elvis wig and dressed in a shiny white two-piece suit with dangling gold chains holding a book and an unbelievably wrinkled old man straining out his version of 'Here Comes the Bride' on an accordian, my throat closed, my chest started pounding and I wanted to cry.
Maybe more so because of the dark-haired guy standing in front of Father Elvis at the alter. It wasn't because I knew him. Because I did. And that made it all the scarier.
Even more terrifying still was seeing his ex on the opposite side of him, holding a bouquet of pink roses and beaming like she was really happy.
My legs are glued to the floor, but somehow I've made it to the front. Anya on my left. Xander on my right.
Oh, god, I'm marrying Xander.
I'm marrying Xander, I think. I'm going to be Mrs. Cordelia Harris.
It's not a bad name, but when I dated him, I never even considered it. So, what am I doing now? I must be drunk. No, I'm clearly in my senses even though my legs aren't working properly. Smell my breath, no alcohol. Always a good indicator of drunkenness.
Smell his breath. He doesn't smell like he's drunk either. Hmmm, actually he smells minty fresh. Like, he's been brushing his teeth for two hours, fresh.
Focus. Breathe. What's going on. Wait, what's The King Minister saying?
"And if anyone here has any objections to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Oh lord. Speak, dammit! Ohhhh, can't speak. Well, someone else, say something!
"I object!"
Thank you! I silently look up. Turning around, I look at my savior.
Oh, it's him. Ladies and gentlemen, my hero. My champion.
Why, of course who else could it be?
He sweeps in with his black trenchcoat billowing around him. It's like slow-motion as time starts to crawl while he makes his way up the aisle. It's ridiculous, but I'm thinking that while he's as cool as usual, the least he could have done is wear something more suitable to my wedding.
Not that there will be one.
My black knight strides up now and starts advancing on Not-Really-Elvis, who drops his text and scurries behind the accordian grandfather.
Xander, to his credit, does not go the way of Elvis and lets out a loud yelp instead. "Hey dead-boy, I was wondering when my best man would show."
Oh, say it's not true.
Anya shines her chipper than a cheery chipmunk smile onto the manpire in black leather. "You're just in time for the best part," she enthuses. Could her teeth be any whiter? I can almost imagine this gleam off her biscupids.
My would-be champion turns to me now and furrows his brows at me. "So, you're marrying Xander," he remarks.
Well, like it's not obvious when I'm dressed head-to-toe in white and standing at the front of a Vegas chapel. "Looks that way," I shoot back wryly. Gee, we're such great conversationalists. That's the secret to our best friendship.
My vampire smirks at me. "Maybe I shouldn't stand in the way."
And they say chivalry is dead.
I never knew I had it in me, but I'm snarling now. Look out, angry pissed-off bride.
"Are you saying that you want me to marry him?" I demand.
Angel runs a hand through his very nicely cropped perpetually bed-head hair and opens his mouth. Unfortunately, he doesn't say something because an uninvited guest has arrived.
Buffy the vampire slayer has burst in, arriving in her usual 'bust through the double doors and storm in with a pout' style. She makes a stance, which I will only describe as very vampy super-heroine.
Maybe I'll also comment on her continual lack of Charlie's Angels fashion. Or in this case, Angel's Angel fashion.
I must be drunk.
"Stop right there!" she cries. "The wedding must go on!"
Okay, now I'm confused. If we stop, how can the wedding... oh, why do I bother? I'm starting to take things as literally as Fred.
Speaking of whom, I expect, will walk in right now and start declaring that kyerumption and moira is totally out of whack. It would be great if Lorne was here to back her up. Because, there's nothing like having more demons and crazy people to surround me.
Or maybe it's I who's insane. I must be, for having listened to Wesley enough to use 'I' in my previous thought and not 'me.'
The B-one stalks up to my A-one and shakes a disappointed finger at him. "You're mine forever. You told me so."
"No I didn't," Angel denies. He turns to me and pleads with his eyes.
"Well, you implied it." she concedes. Turning to me, she tells me, "You and Xander belong together. Like you always have. You're my second-string pals that found love along our journey together."
"Journey? To what?" I ask.
"You once said that Xander grows on you like a Chia pet. And you two grow together so well. Forever. Just like me and Angel." Buffy smiles.
Uh, did she even hear what I said?
"Angel's path will eventually lead back and intersect with mine. His little detour is just a plot to develop his character, make him more well-rounded than a brooding Romeo to my Juliet."
"Hark, my Juliet!" a new voice calls out.
I stare behind Buffy to see a blond-haired, pale-faced lean machine decked in leather stride up to us.
"How nice of you to join us," I say flippantly to him. He takes the time to wink at me and then starts in on Ms. I'm the Center of Everyone's Universe.
"Love, what are you doing?" Spike asks. "You're mine!" He reaches out, grabs her and pulls her to him. And then, he gives her the biggest smack on the lips that I have ever witnessed in my life.
Buffy pushes him away before he's finished. "Ewww... I'm not your love!" she shrieks. She looks at Angel. "Aren't you going to do something?".
Angel looks surprised. "Me? What can I do?"
"Defend my honour. You're supposed to be all jealous about this and beat the crap out of him." She tells him.
The bleached blond vampire smirks. "No, love. That's your job." Then he turns to me, "Well, look at you princess. All grown up and beeeauuutiful. What a shame you're gonna be Mrs. Xander Harris. What a waste."
"Hey!" Xander exclaims. "I resent that."
"I do too." Anya jumps in. "I was willing to become that."
I lift my hand up and put it on my forehead. I must be running a fever. Angel leans toward me and whispers, "You're not sick."
"So, why am I living this nightmare?" I demand.
"Because you need to --"
"Wake up. Cordy. We've stopped."
In a great haze, I open my eyes to see the bright light of day in the middle of a parking lot. In front of us is a huge flashing neon sign that screams 'CASINO' and beside us is less than stellar accomodations.
"Welcome to Vegas." I mutter under my breath. I look over at Xander who's still at the wheel. "Did you drive all night? Why didn't you wake me up to switch? Or at least keep you company along the way."
"It's all good." he says good-naturedly. "Besides, I didn't have the heart to wake you."
I raise my eyebrows questioningly at his mischievious grin.
He answers my unvoiced query. "You were drooling."
"Was not!" I exclaim, fighting the urge to whack at him. "I'm not a dog! Next thing you'll tell me is that I was snoring too."
Xander pauses dramatically. "Well..." he says meaningfully.
I cross my arms and look away. Oh yeah, I know the truth.
"So, ready to check out the scene?" Xander asks. "Or do you want more quality time with your pleasant dreams?"
I give him a look, trying to gauge what he means by that. But he just gets out of the car. I shrug and get out as well. Looking up at the harsh sun bearing down on us, I realize that it's been a while since I've really been outdoors during the day. Going to work and shopping when it's sunny out don't count.
But there's no time to dwell on forgotten luxuries like this. We're on a mission.
"Where do we start?"
***********************************
Vegas in the daytime is very different from Vegas at night.
Vegas during the day is normal. People walk around in their shades and Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts. Anyone who dresses in gold chains and an Elvis suit sticks out like a sore thumb. The whole town is like one big carnival. There are horror houses and fortune tellers and cheap games every two steps.
But at night is when the real fun begins. At night is when everything lights up and the crowds really come out to play. Casinos are full-swing here and the Vegas nightclubs are alight with tall, leggy, scantily clad dancers and flashy shows. I swear that if there was one thing that astronauts in space could see, it would be this town. I'm looking at all the guys around and thinking which ones are vampires because seriously, with this atmosphere, they all very well could be. I thought L.A. was pretty fake, but Vegas? It smells of money and lavish entertainment.
It's my kind of town.
During the day, Xander and I scoured the streets for Anya. We went to the places that he thought she would like to go first, like the casinos with lots of money and glittery lights. We hit them all, includng the Ritz and the Star Trek one twice, but they're pretty tame during the day, so we headed back out into the sun and hit the pavement. Only, she wasn't in sight anywhere.
Pretty soon, light faded into darkness. Walking around aimlessly, joking around casually with him, I'm finding that as I'm learning more and more about this new and improved Xander, I'm liking him very much.
We head back into one of the first casinos to find that it's packed with grinning, hopeful everyday sort of people like us. All of a sudden, in front of us, we see a girl squeal and jump up and down in excitement. Yeah, she just won big.
I'm tempted now. So is Xander. And we've been so good all day.
"Just five bucks?" he asks, reading my mind.
"Oh yeah," I nod. He's been up for more than 24 hours. I'm surprised he hasn't keeled over by now.
He heads up to the slot machines and feeds the bill through. Giving the handle a yank, we watch the wheels roll around.
Nope. No luck.
A few more yanks and we're fast running out of that five bucks worth. Last try, and Xander gets off the stool to give me a try. I take the offered seat and give the handle my best pull.
And am very surprised when I see three 7's staring back at me.
"You won!" Xander shouts. Suddenly I'm being hugged very tightly and jumping up and down.
Wow, this was just too easy. The coins are flying out now, spilling onto to the plush carpet. My eyes widen like saucers as I stare at the glittery gold.
"You're my good luck charm." Xander grins, as he picks the money up and starts counting. "There must be five thousand dollars here."
I shake my head to clear it. I've never won at the casinos before. "So, what next?"
Xander grins at me as he jiggles some gold coins in his hand. "We keep playing."
Okay, mission forgotten.