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 have 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 guys, I'm sorry this chapter took so long, but I'm nearing my last few weeks at college, and everything is due in, so I've been a bit busy. Thanks for staying with me on this one! And thank you to everyone who reviewed; I've had over a hundred reviews, so thank you!

Chapter 17

Cordelia was having a hard time believing what she had just heard. She sat there, running the sentence over and over again in her mind; those three little words had said it all. Because of you. He had said that right; this wasn't just wishful thinking on her behalf?

Things had gotten kind of quiet since those words had spilled from his lips. Three simple words, and all she could do was stare at his shirt, replaying the moments, imprinting its mark on her memory.

Angel had finally said it, he had been contemplating whether or not the timing was right, but now that things had ended with Isabelle, there were no more excuses. Had he put it off any longer, he was sure that he would have come up with another excuse, and then it would be too late, someone else would take Cordelia away, right from under his nose. Seizing the moment, Angel threw his feelings into the ring, awaiting any response; at least if he told her how he felt, he would have no regrets.

Who knew how much time had past since either of them had uttered a word? Cordelia was determined to get the conversation moving. It was time to take the initiative and carry on the conversation, but what would she say?

'Because...of me?' she asked, making sure he had said what she thought he had said.

Slightly nervous at having to repeat his feelings, without any guarantee, he nodded. 'Because of you.' He said slowly.

Cordelia played with the emotions that swam around in her head. He had said it, 'because of you' but why, why because of me, does he have feelings for me, or did he brake up with her just to keep me happy and off his back about the way he deserves better? Deciding that asking him was better than her brain exploding at the possibilities, she went ahead.

'Why?' he suddenly turned away from her, obviously misreading what she had said. She had to fix this and quick.

'What I mean is .. what made you break up with Isabelle?'

'Well.' He said pausing. 'For one thing, she's not the type of person I want to be with.'

Taking this as her cue, she asked.

'Who is the type of person you want to be with?' she all but whispered.

He gazed into her eyes as he gave it careful consideration.

'Someone who's kind, and caring, who doesn't let people put her down. Someone I can really talk to, someone I can see a future with, someone I love.' He paused. 'What about you, what type of person do you want to be with?'

She knew answer, but was it the right time? Things had been happening so quickly, and if she admitted her feelings towards him now, would he think that she was throwing herself at him? She decided to go for it, after all, Angel had put himself out on a limb, and she would much rather live life without regrets. Plucking up the courage, she tilted her head to one side, a small smile graced her lips, and with a far off look in her eye she detailed her perfect guy.

'Someone I can feel so comfortable with, that no matter what was going on in my life I would be able to talk to them about it, and everything would turn out right. Someone whose kind and caring and loves me for who I am, no questions asked, someone who can be a good dad to Lily. Someone who loves me as much as I love them.' She paused, had she given too much away?

'Wow that sounds like the perfect guy, where are you going to find one of them? He asked, hoping against hope that she felt for him, what he felt for her. However, he wasn't prepared for her reply.

It's now or never, she told herself.

'I think I already have.' She whispered as their eyes met, and their gazes locked.

'Really?' he whispered as they each inched closer together.

'Yeah.' Her heartbeat was quickening and her breathing became deep and heavy.

'So this guy .. do I know him?' he whispered, as they got closer.

'You know him.' She whispered back.

'How well?' he asked, they were closing in on each other.

'Really well.' She whispered, as they closed the gap between them. Closing her eyes, she captured his lips with her own, savouring the sweet taste as the kiss deepened.

Angel closed his eyes as he leaned in; the sweet taste of her lips invaded his senses as they deepened the kiss.

And from that moment on, they knew their lives would never be the same.

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AN: Okay guys, sorry this chapter was shorter but I wanted to get it out there. The next chapter should be longer as I want to wrap everything up, thanks for staying with me, it's nearly finished. Feedback please? Let me know what you think.