Chapter 7
Chapter 7

Angel couldn't think; he couldn't breath! Paralyzed? She was paralyzed? His beautiful Cordelia would never walk again? That last statement took Angel a little by surprise.

"Doctor, does she know?" Buffy asked, bringing Angel out of his thoughts. The man nodded his head.

"Yes, I told her personally. She's resting in a room down the hall."

"Can I see her?" The desperation in Angel's voice made everyone look at him. Moreover, he'd said 'I' not 'we'.

"Well…she's still pretty banged up, but…I believe that one of you could see her."

"Go on, Angel," Buffy advised. The vampire looked at her with a nervous expression.

"Me? Why would she want to see me?" he asked stupidly. The slayer wanted to slam Angel's head into the wall. Instead, she walked up and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Angel…right now…you're the one person that can help Cordelia. She needs your strength- now more than ever."

"She's right, man, Cordy needs you so be there for her," Gunn added.

With his friends' prodding, Angel consented, and Dr. Morgan led him down the hallway.

A single dim light illuminated the room that Angel was led into. He walked passed a white curtain and found her- his precious seer.

Cordelia was lying on her back, and she was staring aimlessly up at the ceiling.

"Doesn't her back hurt if she's laying on it?" Angel inquired of the doctor.

"We gave her something to numb the pain until the swelling goes down."

Angel approached the bed and walked around to the left side. Kneeling beside her, he rang his fingertips over the back of her palm and clasped her hand.

"Hey!" A pair of tired brown eyes turned towards him, and a corner of her mouth turned up. Angel brushed away some hair that had fallen into her face.

"Angel," she managed to answer softly. His hand remained on her cheek, and he rubbed her soft skin.

"Cordelia, I'm so sorry; I shouldn't have let this happen to you!" She squeezed his hand as tight as she could.

"No, don't be sorry. Remember, you promised me no more pain."

"But Cordy, I let you be tortured and beaten like a rabid dog. It's because of me that you're lying in this hospital bed. It's because of me that your…that your…" He couldn't say the word.

"NO!" The word cracked in her throat, but the intensity was still there. "No, Angel, you promised me!"

God, this woman was incredible! She forgave him no matter what he'd done.

"Cordelia, no matter what you need…no matter what you want, you will have it. I promise you that! I'll be here for you whenever you need me…no matter what!" Tears formed in her brown eyes, and Angel kissed her palm.

"Tell me what you want, Cordelia." She raised her arms slightly.

"Hold me." Those two little words nearly made Angel cry. All she wanted was him to hold her; that was it! All she'd every wanted was him to hold her, and he'd never listened to her…until now.

Rising off his knees, Angel sat down on the bed and lifted his seer into his arms. He brought her head against his chest and ran his fingers through her silky hair. Cordelia sighed happily and leaned into his embrace.

"Delia…" The passion and longing in his voice made Cordelia's heart pound against her chest. She'd never heard him call her 'Delia' before or speak to her so…so…lovingly.

Angel's mouth turned up as he saw her soft, brown eyes gaze up at him with compassion. He laid a single kiss on her forehead and laid her back down.

"Get some rest, okay."

"Okay." She grasped his hand when he stood up, and Angel looked at her curiously.

"Please stay." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

"Sure, I'll stay as long as you want." Angel pulled a chair up beside her bed and sat down next to her. Cordelia closed her tired eyes and fell fast asleep but not before she felt Angel clasp her hand inside his.

Author's Notes: Okay, I know this is a short chapter, but I didn't have a lot of time to do this. I'm hoping to add this very soon so stay tuned. R&R for me and thanks for your support.