Chapter One

"Dennis, will you pass me my coat?"

A coat floated over to the petite brunette, chivalrously sliding it onto her arms for her. Cordelia's lips spread in an infectious grin, chirping, "Thanks!" It was her first free day in... forever. Angel decided that after the big ugly bug things had been killed and Fred had decided to stay that she should have at least one day off by herself- after all, she had those mind-splitting horrid visions to deal with, and no other life to account for because of him.

Like always, Cordy looked gorgeous. Although her hair was still short, it had grown to brush her shoulders. Today, it had been curled and some of it had been clipped up while the rest floated about her face. Her honey hued eyes, framed by dark thick lashes, were painted with eyeliner and her lips had been swathed with a sweet gloss. Comfortable (but stylish) sneakers clothed her feet, and she wore somewhat baggy khaki's and a tight t-shirt which showed a substantial strip of bronzed abdomen.

Chanting to herself, "Please no visions, please no visions," in hope that the Powers that Be would take it to heart and refrain from sending her mind- splitting messages for one day.

Please, please, please.

Cordelia cut across the parking lot, gravel crunching beneath her feet. She felt a bit lightheaded, to be honest, but it was probably from the lack of people rummaging through her brain- people did it enough. Scowling at a shrill ring from her purse, she paused to dig through it and captured the felon- her cell phone. Flipping it open and pressing it to her ear, she said, "Hello, you are interrupting Cordelia's free day!"

...

On the other side of the phone, Angel grimaced. He knew he had promised Cordelia she could have the day off, but it was sort of... urgent. Sheepishly chuckling, he murmured to Cordy, "I know, I know, but this is important. Come to the manor in half an hour?" Some rather angry, obscene sounds drifted from the receiver, but eventually, Cordelia consented.

...

Swinging the double doors open, Cordelia entered loudly, as usual. She flung her purse onto her desk with a clatter, and then began speaking. "Angel, if you aren't here, you know I'm going to stake you right?" She raised her voice to make sure he could hear- if he was here at all. "I was having the perfect day- a guy even asked me on a date- and then you call and ruin it all. Pfft."

Angel peeked his head out of Wesley's office. "Cordy, do you think you could keep it down? We're busy in here." His hair looked a bit ruffled and he ducked his head back in. His cheeks had been suspiciously pink.

With indignation, Cordy crept to the clear windows and looked in. Cringing, Cordy grabbed her purse and shrugged her coat back on, unable to hold back the muffled sob that no one heard. Buffy was there, her arms wrapped around his neck and her lips against his.

"You wanted me to come to see that? You think that is so important?" Cordy hissed to herself as she began jogging when she reached the pavement. She wanted to get away... anywhere but here.

***

Buffy's thin lips were pressed against Angel's, smothering the words bubbling up in his throat. She wanted to feel him- all over. Sliding her hands under his rumpled shirt, she slide her hands over his chisled muscles, scraping and stroking his pale flesh. She had come here to escape- and to see him.

Even after all this years, he was still as gorgeous as he had been. Little had changed about him... as far as she could see. She hadn't let him talk to her at all since he had gotten off the phone with Cordelia.

She hadn't liked the fact that he had *been* on the phone with Cordelia at all- or the familiar tone he had used with her. So, she jumped him. Currently, she was feverishly pressing against him, his butt pressed against the edge of either his or Wesley's desk (she wasn't sure) and her lithe body between his legs.

The rest of the people- both the gang and the Scoobs- had politely retired to the basement. Hopefully, Cordelia would have tact enough to do the same.

But then again, hadn't she said before, "Tact is just saying stuff that isn't true- I'll pass"? Damn. If she interrupted them, she would *so* stake her. And then wait for Angel to stake her. [Heh- bad Buffy. Bad thoughts. No staking... yet... but some day... that certain *type* of staking may be possible...]

It was so unfair- Spike had been able to do the dirty and Angel hadn't. But hadn't Wesley said- [Bad Buffy- stop talking- keep kissing.]

Eventually, the two parted, both panting for air even though only one really needed it. Buffy ran her fingers through her now shorter do, rustling it even further then Angel's fingers had. A self satisfied smile played against Buffy's lips, and the expression was mirrored in Angel's.

Suddenly, Angel's turned into panic. "Um, Cordy?" He shouted, silently praying that she would answer with her usual amusing remark.

No such luck.

"Damn, I think she saw us."

"Angel's in the doghouse now," both Angel and Buffy heard with their sensitive hearing. Buffy supposed it was from the black man whom Angel called Gunn for some reason.

Looking to Angel for reassurance, for him to say, "Oh, no Buf, he was just kidding," but she didn't see that. She saw panic.

Just how close *were* Angel and Cordelia? Buffy couldn't help but think.