Title: A Twist of Fate

Author: cookie_dough

Email: angeliccordy@yahoo.co.uk

Spoilers: None, AU

Rating: PG-13

Distribution: Just ask, I'll probably say yes

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, or the show, they belong to Joss, David, and anyone else I've forgotten to mention, I'm just borrowing them.

Summary: I suck at summaries, so here goes, completely AU, what if Angel and Cordy were to meet under different circumstances than how they met in Sunnydale?

AN: Okay, this is totally AU, 100%, so any characters that I've used in this chapter or any chapter, that are on the show, have a completely different history in my story, just so there's no confusion. As ever, feedback is loved.

Thank you once again to everyone who sent feedback. You guys are the best!

AN2: Sorry guys this one took so long, I've been busy at college, not to mention a little writer's block, so have a read and let me know what you think.
Chapter 10

It was the final day at the hotel. Everything was as it should be and the grand opening would be taking place that following day. Everyone was rushing around making the final adjustments. Angel had notified the local press of the opening hoping to pull in a larger crowd and Cordelia was learning her way around the new industrial sized kitchen. They had decided that Cordelia would start off as a part time chef, and that she would start in a few weeks time. Thankfully, they had managed to get a hold of local chef who was willing to cover the weeks before Cordelia started.

Neither one of them had really spoken about the incident that occurred the other night, they had finished the meal as if nothing had happened and Cordelia had excused herself for an early night. However, the event was not forgotten by either one of them.

Angel now joined her in the kitchen.

'So what do you think? Is it big enough?' He asked walking up behind her.

She swirled around to face him, getting the wrong end of the stick. 'What, Huh?!'

'The kitchen. Is it big enough?'

Recovering she took a breath. 'Yeah, it's great.'

Acting rather shy, as if trying to ask her something, he glanced between her and his feet, mumbling.

'Cordelia, I was..wondering if...well you don't have too..I mean you can if you want..there's no pressure..' He was rambling and he knew it, why was he so nervous around her?

'Angel, if there's something you want to ask me, just ask me, I'm not gonna bite your head off.' She smiled, he was nervous.

'Well, I was just wondering, if you and Lily will be here tomorrow at the opening. It would really mean a lot to me if you could be there.' He was looking up at her now, he almost looked ready for dismissal, but when she smiled he relaxed a little.

'We would love to come.' She smiled and he took a deep breath and began to relax. Why was it so hard to talk to her?

Noticing that he was relaxing, she went up to him and gave him a hug. Still in his arms she spoke.

'And Angel, next time you want to ask me something, just ask me, don't work yourself up about it.' She smiled and let go.

'Work myself up?' He asked, as if he was completely clueless.

She gave him the look, the one that said 'Yes you'.

'Okay, next time, I'll just ask.' They smiled at each other, as she showed him around the kitchen.

Saturday had arrived, and with it the grand opening of The Hyperion Hotel. They would be opening their doors within the hour, and the staff were making sure that the final touches were in order. The kitchen had finished the buffet to welcome the guests and media, and had laid it out on large tables in the lobby. Free food should also help with promoting the hotel, keeping everyone happy.

Angel was nervously pacing up and down the lobby, mid pace he would be interrupted by a member of staff, everywhere he turned. Cordelia and Lily hadn't arrived yet, and he was seriously re-thinking about running the hotel. Sure he would have hired management, but he had never owned a hotel before, sure he had purchased them, but he had done them up and sold them on so he wouldn't have to run them. He was about to shout at the poor unsuspecting male staff member, when she walked through the door, pushing Lily's pram. And suddenly, it was as if all the stress and tension in the room had disappeared, nothing else mattered; the hotel, the opening, nothing, and this told him that he was making the right decision in keeping it. Because no mattered how hard things got, he would be able to look at her and then everything would fall into place.

She waved at him as they entered the hotel, and he approached her to help with the pram.

'You look amazing.' He said as he put the pram down. 'And you don't look too bad either.' He said as he looked in on Lily.

'Why thank you.' She said taking a little bow. And she came forwards to give him a hug, one that he gratefully accepted. 'I'm so proud of you. The place looks great, are you ready?'

'I hope so, I can't wait until today is over.'

'Well it can't be that bad, besides, I think your gonna like today.' She said with a devious smile.

'Really, why's that?'

'Oh nothing, you'll find out soon enough.'

'What have you planned?' he asked grinning.

'It's a surprise.'

'A surprise?'

'That's right, and it will stay a surprise, until it's surprise time.' She smiled.

********************************

AN: Okay guys what did you think? Please r&r. Thanks!