Author: Domino
Email: zahfat@yahoo.com
Summary: The Scoobies visit LA, and discoveries are made.
A/N: This is set before Cordy becomes a demon. Connor is still a baby. F/G are dating, and Groo hasn't returned. I've messed with the timelines a bit.
Chapter 12
They didn't tell Angel, any of it, not without being sure that it would work, even though Fred, and Wes were already almost positive that the theory involved was correct, particularly after the initial energy transfer, which, according to Fred's rather complex calculations, would facilitate the blood transfusion.
It was Spike who organised the blood packets, the needles and the IV bags for the transfusion. He never did say where he got any of it, and no one asked. He was back before Cordelia had even woken up.
He also did the transfusion himself, an expertise, he had apparently picked up over the years to store blood in hard times, or more specifically when they (meaning the four of them, Spike, Angel, Dru and Darla) were being hunted. He shared quite willingly with a rather green-looking Xander the gory details, before Xander making a few gagging motions, ordered him to shut up. Smirking Spike did. Not surprisingly, Xander wasn't among the onlookers when Buffy was sitting rather nervously, arm held out ready for the procedure.
Giles and Wes overlooking, with Willow providing a rather squeamish Buffy with distraction, Spike performed the medical procedure with a grace many doctors and nurses would have envied. Gunn and Xander, both made excuses to avoid being in the room during this, although Gunn's was infinitely better than Xander's, who had raced out before Buffy had even got there, the minute Spike began waving the needles in his face, rather gleefully.
Dawn, was still eating, her hunger not abated – and Fred, who was always hungry kept her company. Lorne and Anya were playing with Connor, who had woken up, and was carried out the room surreptitiously by Lorne , to avoid waking up the sleeping couple.
Of course, all of them were drawn into the lobby by a scream - a rather unexpected one at that. Upon rushing in, the sight that met them would have had anyone staring in shock, especially anyone who knew the slayer.
"What happened?" Gunn asked, drawing out a stake. He looked worriedly at the figure laying on the floor.
Wes looked like he was choking, a funny, strangling sound coming from him, and Giles had his face covered. Spike didn't spare anyone the cover of his amusement, and was chuckling quite openly.
"Who knew the slayer was such a scaredy-cat when it came to needles? Why – just imagine what the bad guys could do?" he said, smirking broadly.
"She fainted," Willow explained, "When she turned around and saw Spike holding this," she held out the needle in question.
Xander and Gunn both paled significantly and wavered. Gunn went down next, dropping to the floor in a unceremonious heap, while Xander ran from the room for a second time.
Wes couldn't contain himself anymore. He let loose a loud laugh, and soon the rest of them joined in, their laughter echoing in the large hotel. It was a long time before any of them could stop, although to be fair, Fred did put a pillow under Gunn's head, and Spike lifted Buffy on to the sofa. Of course, he flat out refused to do the same for Gunn though, even after Fred pleaded and cajoled – something about a vampire having some pride, no one was listening.
**********
The laughter had done them all good. It was in much better spirits, Spike, Wesley and Giles went up to the sleeping couple upstairs. Angel woke up this time, and sat up.
Gesturing to indicate he would explain later, Wesley rolled Cordelia's sleeve up. Angel was silent, for the moment, though his eyes were filled with questions. Spike did the transfusion, with his usual efficiency – both vampires controlling the urge to grab the still warm blood, and drink. It was a strong urge, one that was hard to control, but the stakes were too high, in this case, in every case since they had fallen in love with two women who served much higher missions, two women that were more than any mere mortals.
Lorne appeared in the doorway a minute later, looking hopefully at the group surrounding the unconscious girl.
"She looks so peaceful, doesn't she?" Angel said quietly, reaching out with his hand to gently stroke her cheek.
"Beautiful," Wesley agreed. He made a silent prayer for his best friend to wake up, to be cured.
"Why did you give Cordy Buffy's blood?" Angel put words to the questions in his eyes. If it were anyone else, they might have questioned how he knew the identity of the blood in the transfusion, but it was Angel. Besides being a vampire – reason enough, he also, was well acquainted with the slayer's blood. There was no real question.
"We're hoping that the blood will give Cordy the advanced healing that Buffy has, since we have mixed their energies, and Dawn is linked to Buffy, it just might work."
Angel turned to face Wesley, his face filled with a hope it was almost painful to see. "Does that mean that…" he trailed off, unable to complete his question.
"We hope so," Giles answered this time, while Wesley lay a comforting hand on Angel's shoulder. It was move, rather uncharacteristic for both men, but appreciated for the meaning, and support behind it.
"Shouldn't the chit be awake already," an unusually quiet Spike now spoke up.
Lorne was still, studying Cordelia – his face deep in contemplation. Spike reached out to hit the demon on the arm, to catch his attention, but Angel caught his hand in one of lightning reflex moves, just before Spike's fist made contact with Lorne.
"Let him check, William," he told the younger vampire, reprovingly.
"Lorne?" Wesley asked, when the green man smiled.
"She'll be awake soon," he answered the question. "Her aura is almost totally normal – and the colour is better."
"Good," Giles replied for all of them.
"Is it done yet? Can I come in?" a voice called from outside, rather nervously.
"Don't be ridiculous, Xander. Its just blood," Anya voice was heard and a second later Xander stumbled into the room, Anya behind him, looking amused.
Xander opened one eye cautiously, and seeing no sight of needles or blood, opened the other, and moved closer to the bed, confidently.
"Did it work?" he asked, anxiously.
"I told you we wouldn't know until she has another vision, Xander," Willow answered his question walking in behind Anya, holding Connor in her arms.
"How's Buffy?" Giles asked Willow.
"I'm fine," Buffy answered, appearing in the doorway, Dawn a step behind her.
"Why – what happened?" Angel asked, looking worried.
"The slayer fainted," Spike answered, chortling.
Buffy glared at him, and then at Giles when he attempted to hide his laugher behind a series of coughs.
Angel smirked, looking happier than he had in a while.
"Its just a pint, Buffy," he said, "You've lost more than that before."
"Oh, no it wasn't the blood that made her faint," Wesley replied, between chuckles, "It appears that the our brave chosen one is afraid of needles."
"Oh, shut up, all of you. And I wasn't the only one, you know. Gunn fainted too." Buffy didn't look to impressed at being the butt of the joke.
There was a sudden surprising burst of laughter from the vampire, and then silence as everyone stopped dead upon hearing a moan from the bed.
"Did she?" Anya asked, her voice softer than normal.
"Shhh, I think she might be waking up?" Wesley said, moving closer to the bed. Angel was already leaning over Cordelia worriedly.
"What happened?" Fred asked, Gunn over her shoulder. He looked a little pale still.
"Cordy moaned," Dawn answered.
"Is she waking up?" Gunn questioned, and he grimaced as Fred grabbed his hand tightly.
Another moan from the bed drew silence again.
"Could you make any more noise. Major energy hangover here," Cordy's voice said softly. Her eyes opened slowly to see a room full of worried friends. There were relieved grins, as she spoke, giving the room a much lighter atmosphere.
"Hey," Angel said, his fingers tenderly touching her cheek.
"Hey," she answered softly, staring directly into his eyes. He smiled down at her.
"How you feeling?" he asked, staring intently back almost as if he could see directly into her soul.
"Like I have been hit by a truck," Cordelia grinned back at him, "That's some punch you give, Dawnie," she said, looking past Angel to see the anxious teen.
"Yeah?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah," Cordelia replied and a proud grin spread across the younger girl's face.
"I'm okay, Angel," Cordy said, reassuringly, when Angel's worried expression didn't change. "Really!" The seer reached her arm up, and slowly caressed his face, smoothing away the worry lines. He smiled at her, unable to resist.
"I love you," he said, whispering the words.
"I love you too," Cordy answered, and she smiled. Her smile. And the room around faded. All that existed was her. He leaned down and kissed her.
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