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 and 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 other 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.
AN2: Okay everyone, here's the second instalment of the barbeque scene! Read, Review and Enjoy!
Chapter 16
Cordelia and Anne were busy in the kitchen when Lindsey joined them. After making his excuses with Angel he decided to check on the two women.
'How are things going in here?' he asked.
'Fine.' Cordelia replied, however the way she had slammed the fridge door shut behind her, said otherwise.
Anne turned to Lindsey and whispered.
'She isn't a fan of Isabelle.'
'That makes two of us.' He replied.
'Thank you.' Cordelia said throwing her arms up in the air. 'I knew there was something not right about her, what do you think it is. Maybe she killed someone; maybe she's a fugitive on the run, who hides out at supermarkets to prey on poor unsuspecting fools to invite her around for a free meal, or maybe...' She stopped, judging by the looks on their faces, she had rambled on a tad longer than she had anticipated.
'I've had way too much time to think about this.' she said lowering her head.
'I don't think it's anything that serious.' Anne replied.
'It's just I don't think she's right for him. Angel deserves better.' Was Lindsey's reply.
'So were is the lady of the house then?' Cordelia asked, mimicking a curtsy.
'I left her with Angel.'
'You left Princess 'gee lets talk about me for a minute' alone with Angel. There's no telling what she might drive him to.' With that, she forgot her earlier anger towards Angel and set out to save him.
Anne turned to Lindsey.
'I wish the two of them would just talk it out, it's obvious that Cordelia has feeling for Angel.'
'They're as bad as each other. Does Cordelia know that Angel didn't invite Isabelle?'
'Not that I know of, but then I didn't know either, what did he say?'
'That Isabelle invited herself, and that he was having a great time with Cordelia.'
'Maybe they just need someone to give them a nudge in the right direction.' Anne smiled.
Lindsey grinned. 'What did you have in mind?'
***************************
Outside Isabelle had just finished telling Angel about what she had been up to since their last date. The date that had ended with a new friendship between him and Cordelia. He had been sitting there for the past ten minutes contemplating how to tell Isabelle that it was over between them, yet nothing sprung to mind. He decided the best approach was to get straight to the point, no hanging around. Like ripping off a band-aid, there would be pain at first, yet not as bad as if you were to take your time. Yes honesty would be the best policy. He was pulled from his reverie by the sound of her laughter. As he hadn't really been listening he joined in.
That was when he saw Cordelia, with a not too happy expression on her face.
'Carroll.' Isabelle said, straightening herself out.
'Yes Isabelle?' she asked, getting that little bit closer to causing some real damage. Yet not wanting to give Isabelle the upper hand.
'I'd love a refill.' She said holding up her glass.
Gritting her teeth. 'Another scotch on the rocks was it?'
'That's right, and don't skimp on the scotch this time.'
'Her name's Cordelia.' Angel said from his seat. He was starring at the tabletop.
'I'm sorry Angel, what was that?' she asked.
He said it a little louder this time.
'I said her name is Cordelia.' This time he looked up at Isabelle. She looked slightly startled.
'Okay.' She said nodding.
Cordelia walked back to the kitchen with a small grin on her face. Maybe he does know how to say something, she thought to herself.
***************************************
When Cordelia had returned with Isabelle's drink, she brought the food out so Angel could start cooking. Lindsey joined him, while Isabelle sat at the table knocking back her scotch. Anne and Cordelia, after laying the table sat in the sun chairs chatting away, while the children were taking a nap.
It was time to put this plan into action.
Angel stood at the barbeque, turning the food. Lindsey came up beside him, bringing two chairs, they sat.
'So, how did the talk with Isabelle go?'
'It kinda...didn't.'
'What happened?'
'I tried to tell her, I was about to when Cordelia showed up.'
'And what, you couldn't tell Isabelle with Cordelia there?'
'It's not as easy as that.'
'Why not? Make it easy.' Lindsey said, the conversation was starting to get to Angel.
'Because..' Angel said.
'Because, what kind of excuse is that.'
'Because!...' he paused 'Because, if I end it with Isabelle then I have no excuses.'
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, that I have feelings for Cordelia okay. And it was all I could do not to act on those feelings. But now Isabelle shows up and I have an excuse. Something that I can tell myself, to stop me from pushing Cordelia away, because if I do tell her how I feel, she's not going to want to be anywhere near me.'
Bingo, we have a winner here; Lindsey thought to himself. We have officially past phase one. He turned to face Anne across the garden, giving her the thumbs up.
***************************************
'What was that all about?' Cordelia asked, spotting Lindsey across the garden.
'Oh, nothing, where were we?' she asked.
'Isabelle.' She said, practically spiting the name from her mouth, as though it had a bad taste to it.
'Right, why do you think you dislike her so much.'
'Hey it's not just me; she has a tendency to get up everyone's nose. Everyone of course, apart from Angel.'
'What makes you say that. I thought you said he stood up for you.'
'Well yeah..well not really, he just told her that my name was Cordelia and not Carroll.'
'But he was a little angry at her for treating you like a maid.'
'I guess...' She said looking down at her glass of water.
'And have you actually seen them getting along together?'
'They were laughing when I came out to see him..but he didn't look too happy, the smile didn't make it's way into his eyes.' Anne nodded; the conversation was heading in the right direction.
'I'm just amazed at how calm you are. If Isabelle was treating me the same way, as she was you, I don't know how I would have handled it.'
'It's not that bad.' She said avoiding any eye contact.
'No really, how do you do it?'
'I just think about Angel. If he wants to be with Isabelle there's not much I can do about it. I don't want to seem ungrateful, he's done so much for me and I care about him, I want him to be happy.'
'But what about you, don't you deserve to be happy?'
'Angel doesn't want to be with me. If I told him how I feel, he wouldn't speak to me again, let alone let me stay, this way I can still be with him for awhile, even if I'm not actually with him.'
There it is, Anne thought to herself. Glancing over to Lindsey she smiled. Phase one is complete.
*****************************************
Dinner had past without too much bloodshed. Cordelia still ignored Isabelle as best she could, and it appeared as if Angel was trying to accomplish the same thing. Isabelle, as usual had done the full brunt of the talking. Stopping every now and then to knock back her scotch, apparently she didn't need to breathe while she talked. And eating didn't get in the way either; she ate so quickly that everyone else was half way through theirs, which left her to fill the silence.
Once they were finished they made their way inside. Everyone apart from Angel and Isabelle.
Sitting at the table, he had finally plucked up the courage to tell her they were over. He would just have to deal with his feelings for Cordelia.
'Isabelle, there's something I have to tell you..' She opened her mouth to say something. 'But don't say anything, I've just got to go ahead and say it.'
All was quiet, maybe she had understood.
'Isabelle, I think we should see other people.' He looked at her, for a moment she was still. Then she picked up her glass and downed the rest of the scotch.
********************************************
Inside they had put the dishes in the dishwasher and where sitting in the lounge. Lily was already asleep in her crib and the twins were in their seats.
Isabelle walked in, flowed closely by Angel; he looked to Lindsey and nodded. Lindsey smiled, as he understood that Angel had ended things with Isabelle. Phase two was ready to be set in motion.
'We're gonna watch a movie.' Cordelia said turning from the television to face Angel.
'What are we watching?' he said as he took a seat next to her. Holding the TV guide between them, they searched for something to watch.
Isabelle slumped into a chair, closing her eyes. It was a good thing she wasn't driving home.
Turning the lights down, as the film was about to start, Lindsey turned to Angel.
'Hey man, we're gonna take off, the twins are kinda tired.'
'Okay, thanks for coming along.'
'And don't worry about Isabelle, we'll drop her home.'
Anne and Cordelia spoke.
'Thanks for inviting us, next time you, Angel and Lily can come over to ours.'
Giving Anne a hug, she thanked her and said her goodbyes.
Somehow they managed to get Isabelle in the car, and with directions from Angel, were able to take her home, leaving Angel and Cordelia to complete phase two. Locking the door behind them, Angel returned to his seat on the couch next to Cordelia.
The film started and she gave a yawn. It had been a long day for the both of them.
'I'm sorry.' He said. 'About Isabelle, she had no right to treat you like that.'
'It's okay.' She replied.
'No it isn't, but it doesn't matter anymore, because she won't be coming back.' He said turning to look at her.
'Why's that.' She whispered. They were closer now.
'Because I broke up with her.'
Feeling slightly nervous Cordelia asked her next question, one that her hopes were riding on.
'Why did you break up with her?' She whispered again.
'Because of you.'
****************************************************************
AN: Okay guys what did you think, feedback.please? This chapter was a little longer than I had planned but I think it all worked out; let me know what you think.
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 and 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 other 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.
AN2: Okay everyone, here's the second instalment of the barbeque scene! Read, Review and Enjoy!
Chapter 16
Cordelia and Anne were busy in the kitchen when Lindsey joined them. After making his excuses with Angel he decided to check on the two women.
'How are things going in here?' he asked.
'Fine.' Cordelia replied, however the way she had slammed the fridge door shut behind her, said otherwise.
Anne turned to Lindsey and whispered.
'She isn't a fan of Isabelle.'
'That makes two of us.' He replied.
'Thank you.' Cordelia said throwing her arms up in the air. 'I knew there was something not right about her, what do you think it is. Maybe she killed someone; maybe she's a fugitive on the run, who hides out at supermarkets to prey on poor unsuspecting fools to invite her around for a free meal, or maybe...' She stopped, judging by the looks on their faces, she had rambled on a tad longer than she had anticipated.
'I've had way too much time to think about this.' she said lowering her head.
'I don't think it's anything that serious.' Anne replied.
'It's just I don't think she's right for him. Angel deserves better.' Was Lindsey's reply.
'So were is the lady of the house then?' Cordelia asked, mimicking a curtsy.
'I left her with Angel.'
'You left Princess 'gee lets talk about me for a minute' alone with Angel. There's no telling what she might drive him to.' With that, she forgot her earlier anger towards Angel and set out to save him.
Anne turned to Lindsey.
'I wish the two of them would just talk it out, it's obvious that Cordelia has feeling for Angel.'
'They're as bad as each other. Does Cordelia know that Angel didn't invite Isabelle?'
'Not that I know of, but then I didn't know either, what did he say?'
'That Isabelle invited herself, and that he was having a great time with Cordelia.'
'Maybe they just need someone to give them a nudge in the right direction.' Anne smiled.
Lindsey grinned. 'What did you have in mind?'
***************************
Outside Isabelle had just finished telling Angel about what she had been up to since their last date. The date that had ended with a new friendship between him and Cordelia. He had been sitting there for the past ten minutes contemplating how to tell Isabelle that it was over between them, yet nothing sprung to mind. He decided the best approach was to get straight to the point, no hanging around. Like ripping off a band-aid, there would be pain at first, yet not as bad as if you were to take your time. Yes honesty would be the best policy. He was pulled from his reverie by the sound of her laughter. As he hadn't really been listening he joined in.
That was when he saw Cordelia, with a not too happy expression on her face.
'Carroll.' Isabelle said, straightening herself out.
'Yes Isabelle?' she asked, getting that little bit closer to causing some real damage. Yet not wanting to give Isabelle the upper hand.
'I'd love a refill.' She said holding up her glass.
Gritting her teeth. 'Another scotch on the rocks was it?'
'That's right, and don't skimp on the scotch this time.'
'Her name's Cordelia.' Angel said from his seat. He was starring at the tabletop.
'I'm sorry Angel, what was that?' she asked.
He said it a little louder this time.
'I said her name is Cordelia.' This time he looked up at Isabelle. She looked slightly startled.
'Okay.' She said nodding.
Cordelia walked back to the kitchen with a small grin on her face. Maybe he does know how to say something, she thought to herself.
***************************************
When Cordelia had returned with Isabelle's drink, she brought the food out so Angel could start cooking. Lindsey joined him, while Isabelle sat at the table knocking back her scotch. Anne and Cordelia, after laying the table sat in the sun chairs chatting away, while the children were taking a nap.
It was time to put this plan into action.
Angel stood at the barbeque, turning the food. Lindsey came up beside him, bringing two chairs, they sat.
'So, how did the talk with Isabelle go?'
'It kinda...didn't.'
'What happened?'
'I tried to tell her, I was about to when Cordelia showed up.'
'And what, you couldn't tell Isabelle with Cordelia there?'
'It's not as easy as that.'
'Why not? Make it easy.' Lindsey said, the conversation was starting to get to Angel.
'Because..' Angel said.
'Because, what kind of excuse is that.'
'Because!...' he paused 'Because, if I end it with Isabelle then I have no excuses.'
'What do you mean?'
'I mean, that I have feelings for Cordelia okay. And it was all I could do not to act on those feelings. But now Isabelle shows up and I have an excuse. Something that I can tell myself, to stop me from pushing Cordelia away, because if I do tell her how I feel, she's not going to want to be anywhere near me.'
Bingo, we have a winner here; Lindsey thought to himself. We have officially past phase one. He turned to face Anne across the garden, giving her the thumbs up.
***************************************
'What was that all about?' Cordelia asked, spotting Lindsey across the garden.
'Oh, nothing, where were we?' she asked.
'Isabelle.' She said, practically spiting the name from her mouth, as though it had a bad taste to it.
'Right, why do you think you dislike her so much.'
'Hey it's not just me; she has a tendency to get up everyone's nose. Everyone of course, apart from Angel.'
'What makes you say that. I thought you said he stood up for you.'
'Well yeah..well not really, he just told her that my name was Cordelia and not Carroll.'
'But he was a little angry at her for treating you like a maid.'
'I guess...' She said looking down at her glass of water.
'And have you actually seen them getting along together?'
'They were laughing when I came out to see him..but he didn't look too happy, the smile didn't make it's way into his eyes.' Anne nodded; the conversation was heading in the right direction.
'I'm just amazed at how calm you are. If Isabelle was treating me the same way, as she was you, I don't know how I would have handled it.'
'It's not that bad.' She said avoiding any eye contact.
'No really, how do you do it?'
'I just think about Angel. If he wants to be with Isabelle there's not much I can do about it. I don't want to seem ungrateful, he's done so much for me and I care about him, I want him to be happy.'
'But what about you, don't you deserve to be happy?'
'Angel doesn't want to be with me. If I told him how I feel, he wouldn't speak to me again, let alone let me stay, this way I can still be with him for awhile, even if I'm not actually with him.'
There it is, Anne thought to herself. Glancing over to Lindsey she smiled. Phase one is complete.
*****************************************
Dinner had past without too much bloodshed. Cordelia still ignored Isabelle as best she could, and it appeared as if Angel was trying to accomplish the same thing. Isabelle, as usual had done the full brunt of the talking. Stopping every now and then to knock back her scotch, apparently she didn't need to breathe while she talked. And eating didn't get in the way either; she ate so quickly that everyone else was half way through theirs, which left her to fill the silence.
Once they were finished they made their way inside. Everyone apart from Angel and Isabelle.
Sitting at the table, he had finally plucked up the courage to tell her they were over. He would just have to deal with his feelings for Cordelia.
'Isabelle, there's something I have to tell you..' She opened her mouth to say something. 'But don't say anything, I've just got to go ahead and say it.'
All was quiet, maybe she had understood.
'Isabelle, I think we should see other people.' He looked at her, for a moment she was still. Then she picked up her glass and downed the rest of the scotch.
********************************************
Inside they had put the dishes in the dishwasher and where sitting in the lounge. Lily was already asleep in her crib and the twins were in their seats.
Isabelle walked in, flowed closely by Angel; he looked to Lindsey and nodded. Lindsey smiled, as he understood that Angel had ended things with Isabelle. Phase two was ready to be set in motion.
'We're gonna watch a movie.' Cordelia said turning from the television to face Angel.
'What are we watching?' he said as he took a seat next to her. Holding the TV guide between them, they searched for something to watch.
Isabelle slumped into a chair, closing her eyes. It was a good thing she wasn't driving home.
Turning the lights down, as the film was about to start, Lindsey turned to Angel.
'Hey man, we're gonna take off, the twins are kinda tired.'
'Okay, thanks for coming along.'
'And don't worry about Isabelle, we'll drop her home.'
Anne and Cordelia spoke.
'Thanks for inviting us, next time you, Angel and Lily can come over to ours.'
Giving Anne a hug, she thanked her and said her goodbyes.
Somehow they managed to get Isabelle in the car, and with directions from Angel, were able to take her home, leaving Angel and Cordelia to complete phase two. Locking the door behind them, Angel returned to his seat on the couch next to Cordelia.
The film started and she gave a yawn. It had been a long day for the both of them.
'I'm sorry.' He said. 'About Isabelle, she had no right to treat you like that.'
'It's okay.' She replied.
'No it isn't, but it doesn't matter anymore, because she won't be coming back.' He said turning to look at her.
'Why's that.' She whispered. They were closer now.
'Because I broke up with her.'
Feeling slightly nervous Cordelia asked her next question, one that her hopes were riding on.
'Why did you break up with her?' She whispered again.
'Because of you.'
****************************************************************
AN: Okay guys what did you think, feedback.please? This chapter was a little longer than I had planned but I think it all worked out; let me know what you think.
