DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Never will be. Not unless Joss decides to adopt me and give me the copyright. (Hey if you're gonna dream, might as well dream big.)

SPOILERS: None. At least not really.

SUMMARY: This story is set in a somewhat AU. Cordy has a secret. There's a reason behind all the things her father gives her. Can Angel save her from her secret before it's too late?

DEDICATION: This one is for Drew and Kitka. Friends. My own personal Angel and Cordelia.

DISTRIBUTION: If you ask, I'll probably say yes.

The next day, Cordelia woke up alone. There was a note on her pillow from Angel.

*****

Cordy, I went back to the house and got some of your clothes while you showered late last night. I didn't want you to worry. I also dropped off a note at Giles' house to let everyone know that you wouldn't be in today or for a few more days at least.

Don't worry. I didn't get caught.

Take it easy today.

Angel

******

Cordy smiled on seeing his beautiful handwriting. She had always thought he was goregeous and now she felt like a real princess. He cared for her enough to make sure that she had some of her own clothes here.

She rolled over as if to get out of bed and bit her lip as the wound in her stomach pulled against the stitches. At least, those hadn't torn last night. She didn't think she could handle it if she had to get the whole thing restitched again.

She was sore across her shoulders where the belt had fallen. She tried to check with her hands and see if there were any welts. She couldn't tell. Then, she remembered that there was a mirror in the bathroom.

He had put it there for Dru. She used to pretend that she could still see her reflection as she brushed her hair in front of it. She used to play with her dolls in front of it too, giggling at how it looked like they were moving themselves. She found such simple things amusing.

Thinking about it, Cordy could see how it would be kind of funny, looking into a mirror and watching your dolls seem to move without any help. She giggled as she walked into the bathroom and turned to see her back. She immediately wished she hadn't. The belt had drawn blood and left really big marks.

She sat down on the bench and started crying. She hated her father and right now would just love to see him get what was coming to him.

*****

AN: I know it's short but that's the best I could do for the moment. Besides, to go much further and I'd ruin the surprise.