Angel arrived to a completely silent hotel, which at almost 5 in the morning wasn't really all that strange. Making sure not to make a sound, so as not to wake up the steadily growing occupants of the hotel, Angel made his way up to his room. The sight that greeted him made an unusual warmth spread across his chest. No matter how many times he had already seen Cordelia and Connor together the sight never failed to make him smile, but this time the sight left an ache in his heart as well.

"You can quit staring now," Cordy said before opening her eyes.

Angel started to smile at her but the scowl on Cordelia's face made him hesitate. "Hey."

"Hey," Cordy replied. Carefully, so as not to wake up the sleeping baby, she got up from the bed and sat on the edge facing away from Angel.

Angel waited for the barrage of questions and/or lecture that he was sure was going to come but when Cordelia let the silence stretch out Angel instantly felt anxious. When it became apparent she wasn't going to be talking, anxiety quickly turned to fear. Silence from Cordelia was never good. "Cordy?" Angel asked walking over to her.

Angel wasn't prepared for the sight of Cordelia fighting back tears. Acting on reflex he kneeled down in front of her and hugged her to his chest gently rubbing her hair.

It took a few seconds for Cordy to speak. "I really hate you, you know that."

"What?" Angel pulled her away from him so he could look at her face.

"You just left. You didn't tell anyone where you were going. You didn't even bring your cell phone with you," Angel noticed the phone on the bed for the first time, "You could have been anywhere from being a dust pile somewhere, to being in Alaska."

Angel smiled at her trying to lighten the mood. "If I was going to Alaska I'd still be on the plane."

"And then I find out that you were in Sunnydale with her," Cordy continued ignoring his comment.

The smile left Angel's face. "How'd you..."

"I called Buffy."

"Oh." Feeling uncomfortable and not entirely sure where the safe path lay Angel asked the safest question. "So what did she say?"

"She said you just dropped by." The tone of her voice implied that she didn't believe a word.

"I did just drop by," Angel defended himself.

Cordy sighed. "Angel, no one drives to their ex-girlfriend's town, two hours away just to "drop by." "

The air quotes at "drop by" made Angel want to smile but he knew better than to do that.

"I did. I was driving past and thought I'd drop by." Angel repeated.

"Driving past?" Cordelia looked at him skeptically. "How far were you planning on going?

Angel cast her a sheepish look. "I didn't really plan on where I was going. I was driving because I was mad at you."

It was Cordy's turn to feel uncomfortable. "Oh."

Angel took Cordelia's hands in his. "Cordy, why didn't you tell me about the visions?"

"Why didn't you tell me where you were going?" Cordy challenged him.

"I told you I wasn't really planning on going anywhere," Angel replied exasperated, "And don't change the subject."

Cordelia's eyebrows shot up. "You're the one who was changing the subject. I was mad at you first you wouldn't-"

"Cordy." Angel interrupted her gently.

Cordelia sighed. "I didn't tell you because I knew that you were going to find a way to take them away."

"And you thought if I found a way to take the visions away, I wouldn't need you anymore." Angel sighed. "I already told you the visions aren't why I need you."

"Oh yeah? She's just a rich girl from Sunnydale; she's weak, she-" Cordy stopped, trying to fight back angry tears. "I'm sorry I couldn't remember the words you used exactly."

"I'm more scared of her dying than she is. That's what I said afterwards. And it's true." Angel stared at their intertwined hands not sure how to go on. "During the whole time you were unconscious there was no other emotion I felt but fear. I was just so afraid. I thought I'd never see you, I'd never see you smile." Angel's eyes drifted to his sleeping son. "I thought I'd never see you hold Connor again. Never hear you sing to him." Angel turned his gaze back to Cordelia. "But most of all I was scared I'd never be able to tell you that I love you." Cordelia eyes met his, her mouth quickly opening to speak but Angel shook his head. "Before you say anything just listen to me. You are my co-worker, you're my seer and the woman who I want my son to think of as his mother, but most of all you are my friend, and because you're my friend I love you." Angel took a moment to look at Cordelia, gently brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "But Cordy, I don't love you just because you're my friend. It's more than that. I love you simply because I do."

By the time Angel had finished tears were streaming down Cordy's face. "I hate you."

Angel just stared at her in surprise, not anticipating her reaction.

"You just had to go and make me cry didn't you, on my birthday too." Cordelia smiled at him.

Angel felt the ache he felt earlier return when it seemed like Cordy didn't reciprocate his feelings but he smiled back, happy at least that she was all right. "Technically it's the day after your birthday."

"Yeah, but I was in a coma most of the day of my birthday so I get a do over."

Angel nodded in agreement. "Why don't we celebrate your birthday later. Right now let's get some sleep."

"Sleep is good," Cordelia replied.

Angel stood up moving to his closet to change his clothes. The ache in his heart still hasn't left and he knew it would take some time before it did but he was satisfied for now. He had Connor and Cordy was safe. Angel heart constricted as he watched Cordy curl closer to Connor, her eyes drifting close. He lay down on the bed and just watched the two most important people in his life sleep.

"Angel." Cordy whispered.

Angel eyes met hers. "Yeah."

"I love you too, and not just as a friend."

With those words deeply embedded in his heart, Angel's eyes drifted close, savoring the moment's perfection.