Title: Untitled
Author: Lily -- lilyana_vamp@yahoo.com
Rating: R-NC-17...eventually
Disclaimer: I own no one...to my own sadness.
Distribution: If you want it, take it...just let me know where it
went.
Feedback: ..might keep all your favorite characters of the living!
Summary: When the unspeakable happens, the unspeakable is brought
about...but not without some complications.
Author's Notes: This is SOOO needing a name.please make suggestions when you leave feedback!!
Author's Notes 2: I'd love to thank everyone for all of the wonderful feedback! It really drives me on.and on.and on.! You all rock!
Part 12 When the Face of Evil is the Face You Love
The newly combined group looked at Cordy in shock. They then turned and looked at a very pissed of Angelus. "You left out the bit about bondage Princess," he growled at her.
Cordy kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the floor. "Be a good little puppy or I'll have to muzzle you too. And don't call me Princess."
Xander looked back and forth between the two, greatly confused. "He's.she was.they had.how the hell did she do that?!"
"I assume we now have Angelus?" Wesley observed.
"Yup. I even gift-wrapped him myself. Did a hell of a great job too if I may say so," Cordy grinned and tugged on the already tight chains.
"Come on Delia, don't tease a guy with foreplay if you don't plan on following through. Unless of course that's what you have planned for later on. I could go for a wild fuck. I know you have it in you to be a wild one. I'd give you a thrill that pathetic soul couldn't even imagine. Being all sweet and tender, he doesn't even-"
Cordelia backhanded Angelus and then pulled him to his feet with his chains. "I clearly remember telling you to shut up. If you don't, I'll make you shut up and make sure you'll never be able to feed again.or anything else you enjoy so much. Do we understand?"
Angelus growled but didn't say another word. This was not the way things were supposed to go.
"Good." Cordelia turned with a bright smile. "So, how 'bout we put the First back into its place?"
Gunn grinned at Cordy, proud of his 'sister' for standing up to Angelus the way she had and took a position beside her. Even in his current state, he could feel the jealousy radiating off of Angelus. Both of them were jealous of his and Cordy's relationship. They both thought it to be more than it actually was. "So, what's the plan?"
Giles rubbed his eyes gently and warily glanced at Angelus. He didn't have to tell anyone he didn't like this idea. None of them did. "We'll have to figure out some way to lure the First back here and let Angelus do his job. We need to know what its plans are, and he's the only one that's going to be able to get any answers. He's the only one that it can't fool," the watcher answered uncertainly. He wasn't sure if releasing Angelus was the best possible approach.
"What makes you think Angelus is actually gonna do what he's suppose to? He doesn't exactly have the best track record?" Xander asked angrily.
"Xander, we have to try," Buffy reassured him, holding his arm.
"But Buffy, he killed-"
"Yes, he did. And he's also the only one evil enough to see through the First's tricks. We don't have a choice."
"It feels so nice to be needed. I feel so loved," Angelus mocked them all with a sinister grin.
"When this is over, can I dust him, please?" Xander pleaded and received glares from the members of Angel Investigations. "What?"
Cordy waved her hand to clear away the tension and bring the attention back to the matter at hand. "I think we need to be figuring this out now, not making plans on what to do provided we all survive this."
"You are quite right Cordelia," Wesley agreed. "Everyone is tired. Why don't we all get some rest and then we'll tackle this tomorrow. It will also give Giles and I a chance to devise a plan of action."
"Sounds great. Who's taking first watch?" Buffy asked, motioning toward Angelus.
Cordy stepped forward and pulled Angelus with her. "Don't worry about it. I've got it covered. You all just rest up. It's gonna be a hell of a battle."
Neither Gunn nor Xander liked the idea of Cordelia being in the bedroom alone with Angelus, but she didn't give them a choice. She had just told them that was how it was, no argument. "I just don't like it."
Gunn nodded. "I know what you mean man."
Wesley motioned for the two to move away from the door. "We have to trust in Cordelia now. She has knowledge and power more than we can even guess now. She knows what she is doing. I hope."
"Okay English, that wasn't comforting."
Cordy looked over at Angelus' sleeping body. It was so easy to think of him as Angel when he was sleeping. He looked so peaceful. He also looked very dead, but that was a moot point. She checked on the chains, making sure they were still tight and felt the urge to kiss him. She placed her lips gently against his cheek and smiled when he stirred slightly. She still had the touch.
She laid on the bed beside him, studying his face intently, and didn't even flinch when he opened his eyes. "Sleeping with the enemy now Cor?"
"Wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"
Angelus knew she was referring to when she had invaded his dreams and his jaw tightened. "So, what do the white hats want me to do? Not that I'm saying I'm going to do it."
"Angelus, you don't have a choice. If you don't do it, they'll kill you. If you screw with me, I'll kill you myself." He raised an eyebrow at her and she continued. "I don't know what they have planned, but I can tell you what I want you to do."
"Then can I tell you what I want to do to you?"
"Shut up and listen Angelus. The First is going to come through me again, I can feel it. When it does, I need you to find out as much as you can from it. Use whatever means you have to. Attack, fight, whatever."
"Kinda tough when you got me bound tighter than-"
"I so don't wanna hear your metaphor. You won't be chained then. And if you even think about doing anything other than you're told, Gunn will be ready.flamethrower in hand."
Angelus looked disappointed that his plan had been killed. "Fine. And what happens after I get information?"
"If we get rid of the First, we bring Angel back. If not, we try again."
"I can't say as I like that plan much."
"I don't care what you like. What you like doesn't matter. What matters is saving the world and bringing Angel back."
"Why, I'm not good enough for ya Cor?" he grinned.
"Don't make me laugh."
"I could make you scream."
Cordelia sat up and straddled his chest. She could feel him getting excited and she leaned dangerously close to his mouth. She ran her tongue up the side of his face and felt him trying to reach her neck with his mouth. She then placed her lips next to his ear. "Only in your dreams Asshole." She stood up casually and glared at him.
"You little fucking bitch! I'll make you scream for me to kill you, and then I'll just keep you around longer to hear you scream! I'll make you want it!" he roared in rage, thrashing on the bed, trying to free himself.
She walked around the bed and then laid next to him once again. She ignored his threats or his growling. She ignored his flashing gold eyes and his vampire visage. She closed her own eyes and went to sleep.
Angelus continued fighting against his bindings and then realized she had gone to sleep. Never in his long life as a man and as a vampire had a girl fallen asleep before he had wanted her to. But Cordelia Chase was no ordinary girl. She was the only girl that could cause such rage inside of him. She was the only girl who could make him want to tear her to shreds over and over again just to hear her scream and never get sick of it. She was the only girl he would never get bored with. She was the only mortal girl Angelus had ever loved.
Gunn looked in on the two of them and cringed at the sight. The two both slept facing each other on the small bed. "This just isn't right. We shouldn't be leaving Cordy alone with him."
Wesley closed the door and motioned for Gunn to follow him downstairs. "Actually, when you think about it, it's quite appropriate. Angelus is the evil that we've always feared facing and now Cordelia's face is being used by an even more sinister evil. Both faces that we love. Both faces of true evil."
"I'd like to make it clear that I don't like this plan one bit."
"Hey look, the evil, blood-sucking, murderous vampire and I agree on something. Whoda thunk it?" Xander smirked sarcastically.
"Evil, blood-sucking, murderous vampire? Don't you think that's overly redundant Xand?" Buffy asked, glancing up from her pile of weapons.
"Hey, it sounded good. I don't see why we need him anyways. We have a slayer, a bad-ass Wicca, a couple of watchers, and a.what exactly are you now Cordy?"
Cordelia looked around at the group and wondered how many of them would survive through this. She also wondered if she herself would. After all, the First would be using her, and if it came to it, they had all been instructed to use whatever means necessary to defeat it. She glanced over at Connor, who had been in shock since the events of the night before and felt her heart ache for him. He was her little boy and she hated to see him in so much pain. She would talk to him, try to make things right with him.if they both lived through this.
She took a deep breath to pull herself together and stood up. "Okay, Willow, I need you to do that spell. We need the First to come here again. Gunn, when I give you the signal, you release Angelus, and keep your guard up. Buffy, you keep everyone back and be prepared for whatever the First brings with it. We're going to need your slayer strength to beat this." She gave her former high school adversary a friendly yet sad smile and received the same back. The hatchet had been buried in the face of impending doom and neither of them had had to say a thing. "Giles, Wesley, listen to every word the First says. My guess is that it will give you a clue as to how to defeat it. All baddies do after all. None of them can resist spilling their big plan they've spent so long planning, right Angelus?"
Angelus glared at her and she continued. "Angelus, you know what you're orders are. Get the First to talk. Use any force you need to, but get the information."
"I don't take orders," he snarled at her.
"Well, today you do," she answered without so much as looking at him. "Are we all ready?"
The group nodded and began to take their places. Cordelia stood in the center of the circle with Willow and swallowed hard. She wasn't sure she was ready for this. She could put on a big brave face for all the others, but it didn't make her feel any better. Willow looked into her eyes and saw her fear. She held her hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
"It's okay Cordy. We'll get the info and get it out of you before you know it. Nothing's going to happen to you or anyone else," the redhead whispered.
"I hope you're right Will. I've never been this scared in my life, and that's a lot coming from a girl who grew up on the Hellmouth," she smiled bravely. Willow smiled back, knowing exactly what she meant.
"Okay, let's do this."
"You think you can just summon me whenever you feel the urge? You know not the evils you are tampering with," the First screamed with Cordelia's voice.
Angelus felt the chains loosen and fall from his body. For an instant, he thought about turning on the group but then saw Gunn's very large flame- thrower trained on him. He growled and turned back to the First. He walked up to it with a smile. "Well, here I am. You wanted me, they brought me back. So what's the deal?"
It smiled Cordelia's bright smile and took Angelus into its arms, Cordelia's arms. Connor flinched at the thought of her holding something so evil and tried to make himself remember that it wasn't Cordelia, not really. It was only her shell. Just her body. He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Dawn stood next to him, as she had since he'd arrived. Two miracle children finding each other in the face of the apocalypse.
"Angelus, my sweet Angelus. I'm so glad you came to join me."
"Who said anything about joining you? I don't join anybody."
Her expression darkened. "You're working with them?"
"Not of my own free will of course. If I had my choice, I'd be watching from the sidelines, cheering on whoever was winning. But what can I say, little Cordy can be quite persuasive."
"No, this was not the plan. You were to work for me."
"Sorry to ruin your plan. So what was the plan anyways? Besides taking out the slayer here and all her little groupies?"
"The slayer was just an appetizer. I want the world. I want the world consumed with evil. Rid this place of human existence. Make it a playground for our kind."
"You see, I have one problem with that." The First raised one of Cordelia's perfect eyebrows. "I like having humans around. They are so fun to play with and then even tastier afterwards."
"Very well vampire. You can die too."
"You see, that's where you're wrong. I don't plan on dying anymore than I already am." He lunged at the First, catching it off guard. He knocked the body to the ground and felt an unknown sensation as it raised a hand and placed it on his heart. It was fear.
"If you won't join me Angelus, I'll do the worst thing you can think of." They all watched as Angelus began to scream out in agony, trying to pull himself away from the hand that seem to burn him from the inside.
Buffy fought the urge to run to him when she saw a familiar sight. She knew what the First had done, and it was possible that it may have gotten them all killed. How would Angel ever be able to hurt Cordelia in order to weaken the First? It was never really about learning the First's plans, but to have a creature that wouldn't hesitate to harm Cordelia to get to the First. No one knew better than her how difficult it was when the face of evil is the face you love.
"Cor.?" Angel asked with confusion.
The First threw him off and against the wall. It started advancing on the group and Connor grabbed a crossbow, shooting Cordelia's leg with it. She screamed out in pain and waved her hand, summoning an army of uber-vamps that descended on the others. Angel jumped to his feet. "Cordy!" The memories of his short time as Angelus came flooding back to him and he knew what he had to do. Connor had slowed her down, and now it was his job to weaken her. He grabbed Cordelia's shoulders and wrestled her body to the ground. He wasn't sure if he could do this or not. The First looked at him with her face, daring him to hurt the woman that he loved. And then he saw something else.
Cordelia gripped her head, feeling the pain of a vision for the first time in a very long time. She saw what would happen if the First succeeded in its plan. She saw the world that it planned on creating and she was determined not to let it come to be. "Angel, if you ever really loved me, you'll do what you have to do. You can't let the First win. Do it now!"
Seeing Cordelia regain control over her body for that split second made it even harder for him, but he knew he didn't have a choice. He donned his game face and gave her a look of apology before sinking his fangs into her neck.
The First was so overcome with pain it couldn't escape the mortal body it had possessed. Her hands clawed at him, ripping deep gashes into his flesh and when that didn't work, her hands began to hit him, bruising his body deep inside. She managed to grab a fire poker from beside the fireplace and drove through the vampire's abdomen. Angel drained enough to make Cordelia and the First to lose consciousness and pulled away. His sorrow was burning a hole in his heart and he limped away from the group. He didn't watch as Buffy and the potentials defeated one uber-vamp after the next and he didn't watch as she looked at the young girls with pride as they dusted them all. He didn't watch as they bound his Cordelia in the same chains that had held Angelus and he didn't examine his own wounds. He just wanted to be as far away from this place as possible.
He felt a strong arm grab him around the waist and he fell against it. He wasn't sure what was worse, the pain his body felt from the open wounds, the bruises and the poker that impaled him, or the pain of his broken heart. He felt the strong arms help him walk to safety and collapsed on the ground, the pain finally getting the best of him. He welcomed the darkness and the emptiness if it meant not having to feel this pain any longer. As he drifted into his own unconsciousness, he heard a soothing voice comforting him, making it all seem okay. It was okay to rest in the darkness if just for a little while. The voice told him they'd finish the mission and save Cordelia.
"Just rest. You deserve it. What you did was heroic; the stuff stories are made of. You are a hero Dad."
Author: Lily -- lilyana_vamp@yahoo.com
Rating: R-NC-17...eventually
Disclaimer: I own no one...to my own sadness.
Distribution: If you want it, take it...just let me know where it
went.
Feedback: ..might keep all your favorite characters of the living!
Summary: When the unspeakable happens, the unspeakable is brought
about...but not without some complications.
Author's Notes: This is SOOO needing a name.please make suggestions when you leave feedback!!
Author's Notes 2: I'd love to thank everyone for all of the wonderful feedback! It really drives me on.and on.and on.! You all rock!
Part 12 When the Face of Evil is the Face You Love
The newly combined group looked at Cordy in shock. They then turned and looked at a very pissed of Angelus. "You left out the bit about bondage Princess," he growled at her.
Cordy kicked him in the stomach, knocking him to the floor. "Be a good little puppy or I'll have to muzzle you too. And don't call me Princess."
Xander looked back and forth between the two, greatly confused. "He's.she was.they had.how the hell did she do that?!"
"I assume we now have Angelus?" Wesley observed.
"Yup. I even gift-wrapped him myself. Did a hell of a great job too if I may say so," Cordy grinned and tugged on the already tight chains.
"Come on Delia, don't tease a guy with foreplay if you don't plan on following through. Unless of course that's what you have planned for later on. I could go for a wild fuck. I know you have it in you to be a wild one. I'd give you a thrill that pathetic soul couldn't even imagine. Being all sweet and tender, he doesn't even-"
Cordelia backhanded Angelus and then pulled him to his feet with his chains. "I clearly remember telling you to shut up. If you don't, I'll make you shut up and make sure you'll never be able to feed again.or anything else you enjoy so much. Do we understand?"
Angelus growled but didn't say another word. This was not the way things were supposed to go.
"Good." Cordelia turned with a bright smile. "So, how 'bout we put the First back into its place?"
Gunn grinned at Cordy, proud of his 'sister' for standing up to Angelus the way she had and took a position beside her. Even in his current state, he could feel the jealousy radiating off of Angelus. Both of them were jealous of his and Cordy's relationship. They both thought it to be more than it actually was. "So, what's the plan?"
Giles rubbed his eyes gently and warily glanced at Angelus. He didn't have to tell anyone he didn't like this idea. None of them did. "We'll have to figure out some way to lure the First back here and let Angelus do his job. We need to know what its plans are, and he's the only one that's going to be able to get any answers. He's the only one that it can't fool," the watcher answered uncertainly. He wasn't sure if releasing Angelus was the best possible approach.
"What makes you think Angelus is actually gonna do what he's suppose to? He doesn't exactly have the best track record?" Xander asked angrily.
"Xander, we have to try," Buffy reassured him, holding his arm.
"But Buffy, he killed-"
"Yes, he did. And he's also the only one evil enough to see through the First's tricks. We don't have a choice."
"It feels so nice to be needed. I feel so loved," Angelus mocked them all with a sinister grin.
"When this is over, can I dust him, please?" Xander pleaded and received glares from the members of Angel Investigations. "What?"
Cordy waved her hand to clear away the tension and bring the attention back to the matter at hand. "I think we need to be figuring this out now, not making plans on what to do provided we all survive this."
"You are quite right Cordelia," Wesley agreed. "Everyone is tired. Why don't we all get some rest and then we'll tackle this tomorrow. It will also give Giles and I a chance to devise a plan of action."
"Sounds great. Who's taking first watch?" Buffy asked, motioning toward Angelus.
Cordy stepped forward and pulled Angelus with her. "Don't worry about it. I've got it covered. You all just rest up. It's gonna be a hell of a battle."
Neither Gunn nor Xander liked the idea of Cordelia being in the bedroom alone with Angelus, but she didn't give them a choice. She had just told them that was how it was, no argument. "I just don't like it."
Gunn nodded. "I know what you mean man."
Wesley motioned for the two to move away from the door. "We have to trust in Cordelia now. She has knowledge and power more than we can even guess now. She knows what she is doing. I hope."
"Okay English, that wasn't comforting."
Cordy looked over at Angelus' sleeping body. It was so easy to think of him as Angel when he was sleeping. He looked so peaceful. He also looked very dead, but that was a moot point. She checked on the chains, making sure they were still tight and felt the urge to kiss him. She placed her lips gently against his cheek and smiled when he stirred slightly. She still had the touch.
She laid on the bed beside him, studying his face intently, and didn't even flinch when he opened his eyes. "Sleeping with the enemy now Cor?"
"Wouldn't be the first time, now would it?"
Angelus knew she was referring to when she had invaded his dreams and his jaw tightened. "So, what do the white hats want me to do? Not that I'm saying I'm going to do it."
"Angelus, you don't have a choice. If you don't do it, they'll kill you. If you screw with me, I'll kill you myself." He raised an eyebrow at her and she continued. "I don't know what they have planned, but I can tell you what I want you to do."
"Then can I tell you what I want to do to you?"
"Shut up and listen Angelus. The First is going to come through me again, I can feel it. When it does, I need you to find out as much as you can from it. Use whatever means you have to. Attack, fight, whatever."
"Kinda tough when you got me bound tighter than-"
"I so don't wanna hear your metaphor. You won't be chained then. And if you even think about doing anything other than you're told, Gunn will be ready.flamethrower in hand."
Angelus looked disappointed that his plan had been killed. "Fine. And what happens after I get information?"
"If we get rid of the First, we bring Angel back. If not, we try again."
"I can't say as I like that plan much."
"I don't care what you like. What you like doesn't matter. What matters is saving the world and bringing Angel back."
"Why, I'm not good enough for ya Cor?" he grinned.
"Don't make me laugh."
"I could make you scream."
Cordelia sat up and straddled his chest. She could feel him getting excited and she leaned dangerously close to his mouth. She ran her tongue up the side of his face and felt him trying to reach her neck with his mouth. She then placed her lips next to his ear. "Only in your dreams Asshole." She stood up casually and glared at him.
"You little fucking bitch! I'll make you scream for me to kill you, and then I'll just keep you around longer to hear you scream! I'll make you want it!" he roared in rage, thrashing on the bed, trying to free himself.
She walked around the bed and then laid next to him once again. She ignored his threats or his growling. She ignored his flashing gold eyes and his vampire visage. She closed her own eyes and went to sleep.
Angelus continued fighting against his bindings and then realized she had gone to sleep. Never in his long life as a man and as a vampire had a girl fallen asleep before he had wanted her to. But Cordelia Chase was no ordinary girl. She was the only girl that could cause such rage inside of him. She was the only girl who could make him want to tear her to shreds over and over again just to hear her scream and never get sick of it. She was the only girl he would never get bored with. She was the only mortal girl Angelus had ever loved.
Gunn looked in on the two of them and cringed at the sight. The two both slept facing each other on the small bed. "This just isn't right. We shouldn't be leaving Cordy alone with him."
Wesley closed the door and motioned for Gunn to follow him downstairs. "Actually, when you think about it, it's quite appropriate. Angelus is the evil that we've always feared facing and now Cordelia's face is being used by an even more sinister evil. Both faces that we love. Both faces of true evil."
"I'd like to make it clear that I don't like this plan one bit."
"Hey look, the evil, blood-sucking, murderous vampire and I agree on something. Whoda thunk it?" Xander smirked sarcastically.
"Evil, blood-sucking, murderous vampire? Don't you think that's overly redundant Xand?" Buffy asked, glancing up from her pile of weapons.
"Hey, it sounded good. I don't see why we need him anyways. We have a slayer, a bad-ass Wicca, a couple of watchers, and a.what exactly are you now Cordy?"
Cordelia looked around at the group and wondered how many of them would survive through this. She also wondered if she herself would. After all, the First would be using her, and if it came to it, they had all been instructed to use whatever means necessary to defeat it. She glanced over at Connor, who had been in shock since the events of the night before and felt her heart ache for him. He was her little boy and she hated to see him in so much pain. She would talk to him, try to make things right with him.if they both lived through this.
She took a deep breath to pull herself together and stood up. "Okay, Willow, I need you to do that spell. We need the First to come here again. Gunn, when I give you the signal, you release Angelus, and keep your guard up. Buffy, you keep everyone back and be prepared for whatever the First brings with it. We're going to need your slayer strength to beat this." She gave her former high school adversary a friendly yet sad smile and received the same back. The hatchet had been buried in the face of impending doom and neither of them had had to say a thing. "Giles, Wesley, listen to every word the First says. My guess is that it will give you a clue as to how to defeat it. All baddies do after all. None of them can resist spilling their big plan they've spent so long planning, right Angelus?"
Angelus glared at her and she continued. "Angelus, you know what you're orders are. Get the First to talk. Use any force you need to, but get the information."
"I don't take orders," he snarled at her.
"Well, today you do," she answered without so much as looking at him. "Are we all ready?"
The group nodded and began to take their places. Cordelia stood in the center of the circle with Willow and swallowed hard. She wasn't sure she was ready for this. She could put on a big brave face for all the others, but it didn't make her feel any better. Willow looked into her eyes and saw her fear. She held her hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
"It's okay Cordy. We'll get the info and get it out of you before you know it. Nothing's going to happen to you or anyone else," the redhead whispered.
"I hope you're right Will. I've never been this scared in my life, and that's a lot coming from a girl who grew up on the Hellmouth," she smiled bravely. Willow smiled back, knowing exactly what she meant.
"Okay, let's do this."
"You think you can just summon me whenever you feel the urge? You know not the evils you are tampering with," the First screamed with Cordelia's voice.
Angelus felt the chains loosen and fall from his body. For an instant, he thought about turning on the group but then saw Gunn's very large flame- thrower trained on him. He growled and turned back to the First. He walked up to it with a smile. "Well, here I am. You wanted me, they brought me back. So what's the deal?"
It smiled Cordelia's bright smile and took Angelus into its arms, Cordelia's arms. Connor flinched at the thought of her holding something so evil and tried to make himself remember that it wasn't Cordelia, not really. It was only her shell. Just her body. He turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Dawn stood next to him, as she had since he'd arrived. Two miracle children finding each other in the face of the apocalypse.
"Angelus, my sweet Angelus. I'm so glad you came to join me."
"Who said anything about joining you? I don't join anybody."
Her expression darkened. "You're working with them?"
"Not of my own free will of course. If I had my choice, I'd be watching from the sidelines, cheering on whoever was winning. But what can I say, little Cordy can be quite persuasive."
"No, this was not the plan. You were to work for me."
"Sorry to ruin your plan. So what was the plan anyways? Besides taking out the slayer here and all her little groupies?"
"The slayer was just an appetizer. I want the world. I want the world consumed with evil. Rid this place of human existence. Make it a playground for our kind."
"You see, I have one problem with that." The First raised one of Cordelia's perfect eyebrows. "I like having humans around. They are so fun to play with and then even tastier afterwards."
"Very well vampire. You can die too."
"You see, that's where you're wrong. I don't plan on dying anymore than I already am." He lunged at the First, catching it off guard. He knocked the body to the ground and felt an unknown sensation as it raised a hand and placed it on his heart. It was fear.
"If you won't join me Angelus, I'll do the worst thing you can think of." They all watched as Angelus began to scream out in agony, trying to pull himself away from the hand that seem to burn him from the inside.
Buffy fought the urge to run to him when she saw a familiar sight. She knew what the First had done, and it was possible that it may have gotten them all killed. How would Angel ever be able to hurt Cordelia in order to weaken the First? It was never really about learning the First's plans, but to have a creature that wouldn't hesitate to harm Cordelia to get to the First. No one knew better than her how difficult it was when the face of evil is the face you love.
"Cor.?" Angel asked with confusion.
The First threw him off and against the wall. It started advancing on the group and Connor grabbed a crossbow, shooting Cordelia's leg with it. She screamed out in pain and waved her hand, summoning an army of uber-vamps that descended on the others. Angel jumped to his feet. "Cordy!" The memories of his short time as Angelus came flooding back to him and he knew what he had to do. Connor had slowed her down, and now it was his job to weaken her. He grabbed Cordelia's shoulders and wrestled her body to the ground. He wasn't sure if he could do this or not. The First looked at him with her face, daring him to hurt the woman that he loved. And then he saw something else.
Cordelia gripped her head, feeling the pain of a vision for the first time in a very long time. She saw what would happen if the First succeeded in its plan. She saw the world that it planned on creating and she was determined not to let it come to be. "Angel, if you ever really loved me, you'll do what you have to do. You can't let the First win. Do it now!"
Seeing Cordelia regain control over her body for that split second made it even harder for him, but he knew he didn't have a choice. He donned his game face and gave her a look of apology before sinking his fangs into her neck.
The First was so overcome with pain it couldn't escape the mortal body it had possessed. Her hands clawed at him, ripping deep gashes into his flesh and when that didn't work, her hands began to hit him, bruising his body deep inside. She managed to grab a fire poker from beside the fireplace and drove through the vampire's abdomen. Angel drained enough to make Cordelia and the First to lose consciousness and pulled away. His sorrow was burning a hole in his heart and he limped away from the group. He didn't watch as Buffy and the potentials defeated one uber-vamp after the next and he didn't watch as she looked at the young girls with pride as they dusted them all. He didn't watch as they bound his Cordelia in the same chains that had held Angelus and he didn't examine his own wounds. He just wanted to be as far away from this place as possible.
He felt a strong arm grab him around the waist and he fell against it. He wasn't sure what was worse, the pain his body felt from the open wounds, the bruises and the poker that impaled him, or the pain of his broken heart. He felt the strong arms help him walk to safety and collapsed on the ground, the pain finally getting the best of him. He welcomed the darkness and the emptiness if it meant not having to feel this pain any longer. As he drifted into his own unconsciousness, he heard a soothing voice comforting him, making it all seem okay. It was okay to rest in the darkness if just for a little while. The voice told him they'd finish the mission and save Cordelia.
"Just rest. You deserve it. What you did was heroic; the stuff stories are made of. You are a hero Dad."
