Part 8 – Sunday afternoon
Cordelia had on her cheerleading outfit, and was ready to lead the cheerleaders to victory, even if the football team didn't exactly have a chance. She clicked the button on her remote and unlocked her car with a little beep beep sound. She looked back at the dilapidated Crawford St mansion and smiled. It was an ugly place, amazing that it hasn't been torn down. She opened the car door and sat down and put the key into the ignition, then looked back at the door to the Mansion. Angel was standing there, and he waved good bye.
Good thing the front door is an eastern exposure, and it was about 2pm in the afternoon, Cordelia thought. Cordy started the engine and the little convertible's engine purred to life. She smiled at Angel, waved and then backed up and pulled away from the Mansion.
Cordelia thought back and smiled to herself. She had had fun last night, even if it wasn't a night out at the Bronze. She also felt really rested, she was so happy that Angel had not had any nightmares like the first night. Granted it was a little disconcerting when she woke up around 9 in the morning to find that she was entangled in the vampire's arms. Her head resting on one of his arms, while his other hand was placed on the flat of her belly, her back against his chest. Her leg bent with one of her feet flat against his leg.
When had they gotten all cuddly she wondered? She carefully had crawled out of the bed, not wanting to wake him. Almost as soon as she moved he had grabbed the pillow from her side of the bed and hugged it without waking up. She almost thought he had sniffed the pillow. But it was hard to tell in the darkened room, just the glow of a nightlight from the bathroom.
Driving down Crawford Street, Cordy turned down assorted side streets to get her to the high school. She looked at the clock on her dashboard and saw that it was almost 2:30 and the game started sharply at 3:15. She hated being early or late to anything. Well maybe a little late was okay, a girl had to know how to make an entrance.
It was a cloudy day, and looked as though rain threatened. Hopefully it would hold off until after the game was over. The last thing that Cordy wanted was to have to cheer and smile in a downpour. She pulled her car into the student lot of the school and shut off the engine. She took a look in the rear-view mirror at her appearance and was pleased. She turned on her head cheerleader smile and stepped out of her car. Almost at the same moment, Oz, Willow's werewolf boyfriend pulled in next to her. Cordy quickly started walking toward the field, not wanting to have small talk with the Scooby gang after the Friday night argument.
"Cordy – hey Cor wait up" Shouted Xander Harris as he sprinted from Oz's van to catch up with Cordelia. Behind him the rest of the gang – Willow, Oz and Buffy were following. Willow as chatting up a storm to the Oz and Buffy was following behind a bit, as if she had been coerced into coming to the game.
Cordelia kept walking, she was not going to be late for the game. Without turning around she said loud enough for everyone to hear, "I am not speaking to you Xander Harris."
Xander's quick sprint had gotten him so he was walking right next to Cordelia. He was keeping up with her and then started to talk very quickly, "Look Cordy, I am sorry, you shouldn't have run out so mad, I would have made it up to you." He was giving her a puppy dog look.
Cordy thought a moment, "What you would have apologized by groping me in the broom closet?" She asked sarcastically.
"Well, yes, I mean no, I mean well I would have apologized on Friday night. It was just that, well Buffy has had a lot to deal with for the past few months, and well you were a bit mean Cordy." He started. He didn't know it was a fatal error bringing up Buffy.
"Buffy has had a lot to deal with...Pfft we all have stuff to deal with Xander." Cordelia said, she had stopped, about halfway to the field, she was going to have a proper argument with Xander, and then put on her best smile so the random students walking past wouldn't realize she was ready to start arguing.
"Look it is not like Friday night was the first time you too her side over mine. I don't think a day has gone by with out you quoting Buffy or saying something to the effect of 'we should wait for Buffy' since she got back"
"Well Cordy, we aren't really that good at the whole slaying thing and I don't want you hurt, plus as bait you don't get as dirty" Xander added that last part, even though he knew that was far from the truth.
"Pfft...then you have not seen my dry cleaning bill." Cordy folded her arms over her chest. Xander was cute, even when she was mad at him, and she had to give him bonus points for not wanting to see her get hurt.
Xander dropped his head a little and put his hands on her on her shoulders, "I like you Queen C, and want to keep you in one piece."
"Look can we stop fighting, I missed not seeing you last night at the Bronze." Xander continued.
"I had other things to do, my whole life does not revolve around Scooby meetings." Cordelia said. Cordelia thought his hands felt really warm on her shoulders, almost too warm.
"Look, how about a truce. After the football game we will head over to the dinner and I will buy you a turkey burger and fries." Xander said, what he really wanted to do was give her a great big kiss on the mouth, but wasn't sure he was that far out of the doghouse yet.
"And a chocolate milkshake?" Cordelia asked, she didn't want to stay mad at Xander any longer. After having such a nice weekend she just wanted to stay happy.
"Sure, as far as my $8 and 34 cents can go Cordy, it is all yours!" Xander gave her a great big smile.
Cordelia leaned in and pecked him on the cheek, "Come on, lets see if Sunnydale can win this game against Bayside" She took his hand and started back on her path toward the football field.
Willow let out a great big smile and sigh of relief as she saw that it looked like Xander and Cordy had made up. Pretty soon they would be one big happy group of friends again. She liked it when things were not all out of wack. If only she could figure out a way to get Buffy out of her deep blue funk. Buffy put on the happy fake smile for everyone, but Willow knew that her heart was still broken over having to kill Angel. Willow thought for a second, and was really glad she never told Buffy that she had taken the happiness clause out of the soul curse for Angel.
It was the middle of the second quarter when the rain started to drizzle. Sunnydale was down by two touchdowns and Cordy and her cheerleading squad were shouting their hearts out. But as the game progressed the rain fell harder and the weather got colder. Lightening crashed and the rain fell in a steady downpour. By the fourth quarter, the stands were all but empty, as now Sunnydale was down three touchdowns and there was only the 4 minutes left in the game.
Cordy shivered in her cheerleading outfit. Even though they had donned rain gear her hair was wet, and the team was loosing. This was not turning out to be a very fun Sunday. Well it has started out good, at least waking up in Angel's arms had been good, Cordelia thought to herself before she could stop the thought or the warm feeling it put in the pit of her stomach.
Looking up in the stands, she saw that Xander was the only Scooby left at the game. The other's had bailed when the weather got really bad. She smiled, he was really trying to work on getting her forgiveness. Xander Harris had clearly earned a few brownie points today. At that thought the final horn sounded. Sunnydale 7, Bayside 28. Not the best of games for the razorbacks.
Xander bounded down the bleachers and stood in front of Cordelia. He was wet and looked cold.
"Xander, you braved it through till the end, you are the best!" Cordelia said and gave the wet boy a hug.
Ahh Chooo -- Xander sneezed over Cordelia's shoulders. And then he sneezed again.
"Well, looks like the rain did not agree with me too much." He said standing back a little and wiping his nose on his sleeve. The rain falling down harder now.
"Come on Xander, lets get out of this rain okay, I am hungry." Cordy grabbed his hand and the two teenagers ran to the parking lot to her car and out of the rain.
"Xander you really are not going to eat all of that are you?" Cordy asked as she saw the waitress put down Xander's order. A double bacon cheeseburger, double order of fries, with a side of chili and an extra large Coke. "I mean I know you're a growing boy, but do you want your arteries to fully harden before you turn 18?"
"Well it is brussel sprout and liver night at the Harris household, so I gotta get some food in me before dinner." Xander said dipping a french fry into his chili.
Cordelia picked up her turkey burger and took a bite. It had turned into almost a tradition of Sunday after football at the diner with Xander. They had done this late afternoon snack thing for every home game this season. She took a sip of her milkshake and wished that she had ordered hot chocolate instead. She was still cold from being out in the rain, later tonight she would have her hot chocolate with Angel.
"So tell me Cordy, what did you do last night?" Xander asked. He had tried calling her multiple times last night and had just gotten the machine at her house. Her cell phone wasn't on either all night.
"I had a long talk with an old friend." Cordy said, not divulging very much information.
"How come your phone wasn't busy then? I tried to call you at least 12 times last night, even close to midnight." Xander questioned. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that she was holding something back from him.
"I was talking live and in person and not on the phone Xander. You know that I do have more than you guys for friends, don't you?" Cordelia said quickly, she needed to get off this subject quick. She hated lying about anything, but it she was a little leery about how Xander would react to Angel being not dead, well not gone. Cordy thought it might be best to play this close to the vest; at least until she was sure Angel had a full grip on reality.
"Ohh, okay so you ready for the SAT's next weekend?" Xander decided to change the topic. He could tell when Cordelia was not going to talk, and this is one of those times.
"Yeah, I have decided not to wig out about it, I do well on standardized testing." Cordelia said confidently. She also planned on doing some practice tests during the week. She was a smart girl, and wanted to go away for college.
Xander and Cordelia continued with their small talk for through dinner. It felt like a different talk than the one she had had with Angel the night before. She really didn't get the same level of joy out of talking with Xander as she had talking with Angel last night. Maybe it was that Xander's eyes kept wandering down to her chest, rather than focusing on her face. It bothered her a little, but she had gotten use to how he appreciated her assets.
The waitress dropped the check on the table and Xander took out his wallet and put a twenty down to pay for the meal. Cordelia decided that tonight would not be dutch, he owed her an apology, and a turkey burger and chocolate shake was a cheap way out for him.
"So you want a ride home Xander?" Cordelia asked. It had stopped raining, and Xander's house was only a few blocks from the diner, so it would only be a bit out of her way.
"Sure, wanna take a drive up to the Point and you know...make out" Xander asked, hoping he was now completely out of the dog house. Not realizing that his words were potentially going to put him back in.
"Xander, it is a school night, and plus you are not completely out of the dog house. I expect a few more days of groveling before we go back to gropfest." Cordy told him point blank, annoyed that he was well that forward.
"Sure, no I know...hey I will take that ride home if I haven't messed everything up." Xander said sheepishly.
"Come on...it is getting late" Cordelia said. Plus she had to stop at the blood bank and pick up Angel some dinner.
Cordy pulled in front of Xander's parent's house. A simple house that had a neat front yard and a boring façade. She put her car in park but didn't shut off the engine. She turned to Xander, "Well good night, I am glad we had dinner, and glad you stayed for the whole game Xander."
"Me too Cordy, me too." Xander said. He saw a small smile come to her face and took the opportunity and leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. It was an innocent kiss, a kiss of a young inexperienced man.
Cordelia didn't pull away, it was nice, but no stars or fireworks. She thought absently how much longer she was going to continue to date Xander if fireworks when they kissed were missing.
Xander leaned away from her and smiled. "Night Ms Chase." He opened his car door an got out. Happy with himself for getting out of the dog house with Cordy.
Cordy watched him walk to the front door and then put the car in gear and pulled back onto the road. The rain had started up again and she sneezed herself. The last thing she wanted to do was catch a cold. She needed a hot shower and a warm bed. First stop though the blood bank.
Pulling into the lot of the Sunnydale Red Cross/Blood Bank, Cordelia was hoping it was Harold's night off and she could use the same routine on whoever was watching the counter. She grabbed her purse and looked in her wallet. Not enough cash to bribe anyone. She would have to be charming.
Cordy got out of the car and pulled her raincoat tighter around her, realizing that looking like a cheerleader would not help her convince anyone she worked at the hospital. She pushed open the door and walked to the counter. Harold from Friday night was there. He smiled when he saw Cordelia walk in.
"Hey Harold how are you?" Darn it ...why did he have to work tonight too. Cordelia put on her best smile.
"Good, hey I didn't catch your name last time." Harold said. He adjusted his glasses on his face and moved a lock of slightly greasy hair from his forehead. He was the stereotypical geeky kid, at least in Cordelia's opinion.
"It is Cordelia, I volunteer over at the hospital." Yah right, liar liar pants on fire. Cordelia really hated lying.
"Wow that is good; I volunteer my time here too." He smiled, a goofy, smile, amazed this really pretty girl was talking to him. Girls like her normally ignored guys like him.
"Yah, well it is the least I can do. Hey, I got sent on an errand by the lab, they need me to pick up some blood for them that didn't get called in." Cordelia said, hoping he would fall for it.
"Sure, what do you need?" Harold asked, the lab guys were always taking advantage of the volunteers.
"Oh what did they say this time?" Cordelia was trying to remember what type seemed to be Angel's favorite..."That is right, silly me, 6 pints of O positive and 6 pints of B negative." That should cover Angel through till Wednesday, then she really need to figure out how to get it just delivered to the Mansion.
"No problem Cordelia, let me just go fill the cooler, be right back" Harold disappeared into the back room.
Cordelia looked around the blood bank. There were the random Public Service Announcement advertisements up, "Donate a pint...save a life" with a picture a healthy young man and girl smiling in the park. What that had to do with blood was beyond her. The place smelled very sterile, kinda like that hospital smell. She really needed to figure out how to get delivery to the mansion.
Harold returned from the back with a cooler, again full of blood. He put it up on the counter and then pulled out a form to fill out. Cordelia looked at the cooler and opened it up, a little curious now that she wasn't in such a rush to feed a crazed and starved vampire. She looked in and saw the bags of blood neatly stacked one in front of the other. Upon closer inspection she saw that the top bag had an expiration date of tomorrow. Then she pushed one bag to the side and saw that the next bag had a similar expiration date.
"Hey Harold, all this blood is about to expire." Cordelia was not happy, he was trying to pass bad blood onto her, and if she was nothing else, she was not about to bring back stale or worse rotten blood.
"Well yah Cordelia, the lab for testing always uses blood that is just about expired." Harold said continuing to fill out the forms.
At that moment Cordelia reached out her hand and put it on top of his to stop his writing. "Harold wait." Think Cordy, think.....
"What, I just need to know which department number to fill in and then I will carry this out to your car." The pretty girl was touching him, Harold thought and smiled.
"ah...but...oh...Harold, the lab technician was really specific, he said it had to be fresh blood, like from today." Cordy said quickly. Pleaseworkpleaseworkpleasework
"Oh, it must be for specific research, the lab knows that there is an extra charge for new blood?" Harold asked looking at Cordelia, sure that he was just about to get up the nerve to ask her for coffee.
"Oh yah, definitely, big research grant, money no object, and could be spent on whatever was necessary. At least that is what the lab tech told me along with his order." Gosh I could be an actress, yes I am acting and not lying.
"Well they really should fill out a requisition so we have the right stuff on hand, or can have it ready for pick-up / delivery." Harold was annoyed at the hospital; they never got their paperwork straight. "Yah know a guy volunteers his time and then the blood bank administrator gets all mad if there are goofs in stupid paperwork. Heck I bet they don't get straightened out for months." He vented, and was happy that the girl was listening to him...no one ever listened.
"They are that way at the Hospital too." Cordy sympathized with him, even if it was a make-believe volunteer position. Heck her helping the Scooby gang should qualify as volunteer work; at least they tried to keep people from going to the hospitals and needing blood.
"Nobody really appreciates volunteer work do they Harold. So do you think I could put in a standing order, so that I don't get in trouble for messing up like I did the other night. Boy did I get yelled at." Cordelia smiled a huge smile, the deal was almost cinched.
"Sure, now if your lab needs fresh blood, you will need to stop by twice a week to do a pick up." Harold reached under the counter and pulled out the necessary form. He would schedule her pick-ups for the evenings that he worked at the blood bank. Harold was not ready to ask her for coffee yet, but maybe would get his nerves up and ask later in the week.
"Oh that would be great, Harold, I sooo appreciate it." Big Smile – maybe worthy of a daytime Emmy award
"Sure, how much do you want and what types?" Harold asked, taking in her smile at him. Definitely will be have the balls by Thursday to ask her to coffee. Maybe he could meet her at the hospital cafeteria.
"Lets see, well it varies you know, depends on what they are working on. How about 10 pints of whatever is the freshest on the given day. And why don't we schedule Sundays and Thursdays around now, or maybe just after school, I mean before my volunteer schedule starts."
"Great not a problem. All set, I will just finish the paperwork and then plan on seeing you on Thursday." Yes, by Thursday he would definitely be able to ask for coffee with her.
"Great, and Harold can you freshen up this order please?" Cordelia asked sweetly, happy that the ordering of Angel's liquid diet was taken care of and on a more of a regular basis. She was going to have to remember to tell Daddy's accountant to write a big donation check to the blood bank. It was the least the Chase family could do considering Angel had saved her life on more than on occasion.
"Oh of course...be right back" Harold took away the offending, almost spoiled blood, and practically ran into the back.
Cordelia looked down at her watch; it was almost 9 pm, where had the day gone. Well, she bet that Angel was probably a hungry puppy by now, and if his eating patterns today were like the past 2 days, he would be out of blood and pacing.
Harold walked out of the backroom carrying her cooler. "Let me take this out to your car, it is heavy Cordelia" He said, wanting to show he was a gentleman.
"Of course, thank you so much Harold." Cordelia smiled at Harold, he was a cute dork and he helped her so she liked him.
And the night-time Emmy goes to....Cordelia Chase!
Cordelia had on her cheerleading outfit, and was ready to lead the cheerleaders to victory, even if the football team didn't exactly have a chance. She clicked the button on her remote and unlocked her car with a little beep beep sound. She looked back at the dilapidated Crawford St mansion and smiled. It was an ugly place, amazing that it hasn't been torn down. She opened the car door and sat down and put the key into the ignition, then looked back at the door to the Mansion. Angel was standing there, and he waved good bye.
Good thing the front door is an eastern exposure, and it was about 2pm in the afternoon, Cordelia thought. Cordy started the engine and the little convertible's engine purred to life. She smiled at Angel, waved and then backed up and pulled away from the Mansion.
Cordelia thought back and smiled to herself. She had had fun last night, even if it wasn't a night out at the Bronze. She also felt really rested, she was so happy that Angel had not had any nightmares like the first night. Granted it was a little disconcerting when she woke up around 9 in the morning to find that she was entangled in the vampire's arms. Her head resting on one of his arms, while his other hand was placed on the flat of her belly, her back against his chest. Her leg bent with one of her feet flat against his leg.
When had they gotten all cuddly she wondered? She carefully had crawled out of the bed, not wanting to wake him. Almost as soon as she moved he had grabbed the pillow from her side of the bed and hugged it without waking up. She almost thought he had sniffed the pillow. But it was hard to tell in the darkened room, just the glow of a nightlight from the bathroom.
Driving down Crawford Street, Cordy turned down assorted side streets to get her to the high school. She looked at the clock on her dashboard and saw that it was almost 2:30 and the game started sharply at 3:15. She hated being early or late to anything. Well maybe a little late was okay, a girl had to know how to make an entrance.
It was a cloudy day, and looked as though rain threatened. Hopefully it would hold off until after the game was over. The last thing that Cordy wanted was to have to cheer and smile in a downpour. She pulled her car into the student lot of the school and shut off the engine. She took a look in the rear-view mirror at her appearance and was pleased. She turned on her head cheerleader smile and stepped out of her car. Almost at the same moment, Oz, Willow's werewolf boyfriend pulled in next to her. Cordy quickly started walking toward the field, not wanting to have small talk with the Scooby gang after the Friday night argument.
"Cordy – hey Cor wait up" Shouted Xander Harris as he sprinted from Oz's van to catch up with Cordelia. Behind him the rest of the gang – Willow, Oz and Buffy were following. Willow as chatting up a storm to the Oz and Buffy was following behind a bit, as if she had been coerced into coming to the game.
Cordelia kept walking, she was not going to be late for the game. Without turning around she said loud enough for everyone to hear, "I am not speaking to you Xander Harris."
Xander's quick sprint had gotten him so he was walking right next to Cordelia. He was keeping up with her and then started to talk very quickly, "Look Cordy, I am sorry, you shouldn't have run out so mad, I would have made it up to you." He was giving her a puppy dog look.
Cordy thought a moment, "What you would have apologized by groping me in the broom closet?" She asked sarcastically.
"Well, yes, I mean no, I mean well I would have apologized on Friday night. It was just that, well Buffy has had a lot to deal with for the past few months, and well you were a bit mean Cordy." He started. He didn't know it was a fatal error bringing up Buffy.
"Buffy has had a lot to deal with...Pfft we all have stuff to deal with Xander." Cordelia said, she had stopped, about halfway to the field, she was going to have a proper argument with Xander, and then put on her best smile so the random students walking past wouldn't realize she was ready to start arguing.
"Look it is not like Friday night was the first time you too her side over mine. I don't think a day has gone by with out you quoting Buffy or saying something to the effect of 'we should wait for Buffy' since she got back"
"Well Cordy, we aren't really that good at the whole slaying thing and I don't want you hurt, plus as bait you don't get as dirty" Xander added that last part, even though he knew that was far from the truth.
"Pfft...then you have not seen my dry cleaning bill." Cordy folded her arms over her chest. Xander was cute, even when she was mad at him, and she had to give him bonus points for not wanting to see her get hurt.
Xander dropped his head a little and put his hands on her on her shoulders, "I like you Queen C, and want to keep you in one piece."
"Look can we stop fighting, I missed not seeing you last night at the Bronze." Xander continued.
"I had other things to do, my whole life does not revolve around Scooby meetings." Cordelia said. Cordelia thought his hands felt really warm on her shoulders, almost too warm.
"Look, how about a truce. After the football game we will head over to the dinner and I will buy you a turkey burger and fries." Xander said, what he really wanted to do was give her a great big kiss on the mouth, but wasn't sure he was that far out of the doghouse yet.
"And a chocolate milkshake?" Cordelia asked, she didn't want to stay mad at Xander any longer. After having such a nice weekend she just wanted to stay happy.
"Sure, as far as my $8 and 34 cents can go Cordy, it is all yours!" Xander gave her a great big smile.
Cordelia leaned in and pecked him on the cheek, "Come on, lets see if Sunnydale can win this game against Bayside" She took his hand and started back on her path toward the football field.
Willow let out a great big smile and sigh of relief as she saw that it looked like Xander and Cordy had made up. Pretty soon they would be one big happy group of friends again. She liked it when things were not all out of wack. If only she could figure out a way to get Buffy out of her deep blue funk. Buffy put on the happy fake smile for everyone, but Willow knew that her heart was still broken over having to kill Angel. Willow thought for a second, and was really glad she never told Buffy that she had taken the happiness clause out of the soul curse for Angel.
It was the middle of the second quarter when the rain started to drizzle. Sunnydale was down by two touchdowns and Cordy and her cheerleading squad were shouting their hearts out. But as the game progressed the rain fell harder and the weather got colder. Lightening crashed and the rain fell in a steady downpour. By the fourth quarter, the stands were all but empty, as now Sunnydale was down three touchdowns and there was only the 4 minutes left in the game.
Cordy shivered in her cheerleading outfit. Even though they had donned rain gear her hair was wet, and the team was loosing. This was not turning out to be a very fun Sunday. Well it has started out good, at least waking up in Angel's arms had been good, Cordelia thought to herself before she could stop the thought or the warm feeling it put in the pit of her stomach.
Looking up in the stands, she saw that Xander was the only Scooby left at the game. The other's had bailed when the weather got really bad. She smiled, he was really trying to work on getting her forgiveness. Xander Harris had clearly earned a few brownie points today. At that thought the final horn sounded. Sunnydale 7, Bayside 28. Not the best of games for the razorbacks.
Xander bounded down the bleachers and stood in front of Cordelia. He was wet and looked cold.
"Xander, you braved it through till the end, you are the best!" Cordelia said and gave the wet boy a hug.
Ahh Chooo -- Xander sneezed over Cordelia's shoulders. And then he sneezed again.
"Well, looks like the rain did not agree with me too much." He said standing back a little and wiping his nose on his sleeve. The rain falling down harder now.
"Come on Xander, lets get out of this rain okay, I am hungry." Cordy grabbed his hand and the two teenagers ran to the parking lot to her car and out of the rain.
"Xander you really are not going to eat all of that are you?" Cordy asked as she saw the waitress put down Xander's order. A double bacon cheeseburger, double order of fries, with a side of chili and an extra large Coke. "I mean I know you're a growing boy, but do you want your arteries to fully harden before you turn 18?"
"Well it is brussel sprout and liver night at the Harris household, so I gotta get some food in me before dinner." Xander said dipping a french fry into his chili.
Cordelia picked up her turkey burger and took a bite. It had turned into almost a tradition of Sunday after football at the diner with Xander. They had done this late afternoon snack thing for every home game this season. She took a sip of her milkshake and wished that she had ordered hot chocolate instead. She was still cold from being out in the rain, later tonight she would have her hot chocolate with Angel.
"So tell me Cordy, what did you do last night?" Xander asked. He had tried calling her multiple times last night and had just gotten the machine at her house. Her cell phone wasn't on either all night.
"I had a long talk with an old friend." Cordy said, not divulging very much information.
"How come your phone wasn't busy then? I tried to call you at least 12 times last night, even close to midnight." Xander questioned. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that she was holding something back from him.
"I was talking live and in person and not on the phone Xander. You know that I do have more than you guys for friends, don't you?" Cordelia said quickly, she needed to get off this subject quick. She hated lying about anything, but it she was a little leery about how Xander would react to Angel being not dead, well not gone. Cordy thought it might be best to play this close to the vest; at least until she was sure Angel had a full grip on reality.
"Ohh, okay so you ready for the SAT's next weekend?" Xander decided to change the topic. He could tell when Cordelia was not going to talk, and this is one of those times.
"Yeah, I have decided not to wig out about it, I do well on standardized testing." Cordelia said confidently. She also planned on doing some practice tests during the week. She was a smart girl, and wanted to go away for college.
Xander and Cordelia continued with their small talk for through dinner. It felt like a different talk than the one she had had with Angel the night before. She really didn't get the same level of joy out of talking with Xander as she had talking with Angel last night. Maybe it was that Xander's eyes kept wandering down to her chest, rather than focusing on her face. It bothered her a little, but she had gotten use to how he appreciated her assets.
The waitress dropped the check on the table and Xander took out his wallet and put a twenty down to pay for the meal. Cordelia decided that tonight would not be dutch, he owed her an apology, and a turkey burger and chocolate shake was a cheap way out for him.
"So you want a ride home Xander?" Cordelia asked. It had stopped raining, and Xander's house was only a few blocks from the diner, so it would only be a bit out of her way.
"Sure, wanna take a drive up to the Point and you know...make out" Xander asked, hoping he was now completely out of the dog house. Not realizing that his words were potentially going to put him back in.
"Xander, it is a school night, and plus you are not completely out of the dog house. I expect a few more days of groveling before we go back to gropfest." Cordy told him point blank, annoyed that he was well that forward.
"Sure, no I know...hey I will take that ride home if I haven't messed everything up." Xander said sheepishly.
"Come on...it is getting late" Cordelia said. Plus she had to stop at the blood bank and pick up Angel some dinner.
Cordy pulled in front of Xander's parent's house. A simple house that had a neat front yard and a boring façade. She put her car in park but didn't shut off the engine. She turned to Xander, "Well good night, I am glad we had dinner, and glad you stayed for the whole game Xander."
"Me too Cordy, me too." Xander said. He saw a small smile come to her face and took the opportunity and leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. It was an innocent kiss, a kiss of a young inexperienced man.
Cordelia didn't pull away, it was nice, but no stars or fireworks. She thought absently how much longer she was going to continue to date Xander if fireworks when they kissed were missing.
Xander leaned away from her and smiled. "Night Ms Chase." He opened his car door an got out. Happy with himself for getting out of the dog house with Cordy.
Cordy watched him walk to the front door and then put the car in gear and pulled back onto the road. The rain had started up again and she sneezed herself. The last thing she wanted to do was catch a cold. She needed a hot shower and a warm bed. First stop though the blood bank.
Pulling into the lot of the Sunnydale Red Cross/Blood Bank, Cordelia was hoping it was Harold's night off and she could use the same routine on whoever was watching the counter. She grabbed her purse and looked in her wallet. Not enough cash to bribe anyone. She would have to be charming.
Cordy got out of the car and pulled her raincoat tighter around her, realizing that looking like a cheerleader would not help her convince anyone she worked at the hospital. She pushed open the door and walked to the counter. Harold from Friday night was there. He smiled when he saw Cordelia walk in.
"Hey Harold how are you?" Darn it ...why did he have to work tonight too. Cordelia put on her best smile.
"Good, hey I didn't catch your name last time." Harold said. He adjusted his glasses on his face and moved a lock of slightly greasy hair from his forehead. He was the stereotypical geeky kid, at least in Cordelia's opinion.
"It is Cordelia, I volunteer over at the hospital." Yah right, liar liar pants on fire. Cordelia really hated lying.
"Wow that is good; I volunteer my time here too." He smiled, a goofy, smile, amazed this really pretty girl was talking to him. Girls like her normally ignored guys like him.
"Yah, well it is the least I can do. Hey, I got sent on an errand by the lab, they need me to pick up some blood for them that didn't get called in." Cordelia said, hoping he would fall for it.
"Sure, what do you need?" Harold asked, the lab guys were always taking advantage of the volunteers.
"Oh what did they say this time?" Cordelia was trying to remember what type seemed to be Angel's favorite..."That is right, silly me, 6 pints of O positive and 6 pints of B negative." That should cover Angel through till Wednesday, then she really need to figure out how to get it just delivered to the Mansion.
"No problem Cordelia, let me just go fill the cooler, be right back" Harold disappeared into the back room.
Cordelia looked around the blood bank. There were the random Public Service Announcement advertisements up, "Donate a pint...save a life" with a picture a healthy young man and girl smiling in the park. What that had to do with blood was beyond her. The place smelled very sterile, kinda like that hospital smell. She really needed to figure out how to get delivery to the mansion.
Harold returned from the back with a cooler, again full of blood. He put it up on the counter and then pulled out a form to fill out. Cordelia looked at the cooler and opened it up, a little curious now that she wasn't in such a rush to feed a crazed and starved vampire. She looked in and saw the bags of blood neatly stacked one in front of the other. Upon closer inspection she saw that the top bag had an expiration date of tomorrow. Then she pushed one bag to the side and saw that the next bag had a similar expiration date.
"Hey Harold, all this blood is about to expire." Cordelia was not happy, he was trying to pass bad blood onto her, and if she was nothing else, she was not about to bring back stale or worse rotten blood.
"Well yah Cordelia, the lab for testing always uses blood that is just about expired." Harold said continuing to fill out the forms.
At that moment Cordelia reached out her hand and put it on top of his to stop his writing. "Harold wait." Think Cordy, think.....
"What, I just need to know which department number to fill in and then I will carry this out to your car." The pretty girl was touching him, Harold thought and smiled.
"ah...but...oh...Harold, the lab technician was really specific, he said it had to be fresh blood, like from today." Cordy said quickly. Pleaseworkpleaseworkpleasework
"Oh, it must be for specific research, the lab knows that there is an extra charge for new blood?" Harold asked looking at Cordelia, sure that he was just about to get up the nerve to ask her for coffee.
"Oh yah, definitely, big research grant, money no object, and could be spent on whatever was necessary. At least that is what the lab tech told me along with his order." Gosh I could be an actress, yes I am acting and not lying.
"Well they really should fill out a requisition so we have the right stuff on hand, or can have it ready for pick-up / delivery." Harold was annoyed at the hospital; they never got their paperwork straight. "Yah know a guy volunteers his time and then the blood bank administrator gets all mad if there are goofs in stupid paperwork. Heck I bet they don't get straightened out for months." He vented, and was happy that the girl was listening to him...no one ever listened.
"They are that way at the Hospital too." Cordy sympathized with him, even if it was a make-believe volunteer position. Heck her helping the Scooby gang should qualify as volunteer work; at least they tried to keep people from going to the hospitals and needing blood.
"Nobody really appreciates volunteer work do they Harold. So do you think I could put in a standing order, so that I don't get in trouble for messing up like I did the other night. Boy did I get yelled at." Cordelia smiled a huge smile, the deal was almost cinched.
"Sure, now if your lab needs fresh blood, you will need to stop by twice a week to do a pick up." Harold reached under the counter and pulled out the necessary form. He would schedule her pick-ups for the evenings that he worked at the blood bank. Harold was not ready to ask her for coffee yet, but maybe would get his nerves up and ask later in the week.
"Oh that would be great, Harold, I sooo appreciate it." Big Smile – maybe worthy of a daytime Emmy award
"Sure, how much do you want and what types?" Harold asked, taking in her smile at him. Definitely will be have the balls by Thursday to ask her to coffee. Maybe he could meet her at the hospital cafeteria.
"Lets see, well it varies you know, depends on what they are working on. How about 10 pints of whatever is the freshest on the given day. And why don't we schedule Sundays and Thursdays around now, or maybe just after school, I mean before my volunteer schedule starts."
"Great not a problem. All set, I will just finish the paperwork and then plan on seeing you on Thursday." Yes, by Thursday he would definitely be able to ask for coffee with her.
"Great, and Harold can you freshen up this order please?" Cordelia asked sweetly, happy that the ordering of Angel's liquid diet was taken care of and on a more of a regular basis. She was going to have to remember to tell Daddy's accountant to write a big donation check to the blood bank. It was the least the Chase family could do considering Angel had saved her life on more than on occasion.
"Oh of course...be right back" Harold took away the offending, almost spoiled blood, and practically ran into the back.
Cordelia looked down at her watch; it was almost 9 pm, where had the day gone. Well, she bet that Angel was probably a hungry puppy by now, and if his eating patterns today were like the past 2 days, he would be out of blood and pacing.
Harold walked out of the backroom carrying her cooler. "Let me take this out to your car, it is heavy Cordelia" He said, wanting to show he was a gentleman.
"Of course, thank you so much Harold." Cordelia smiled at Harold, he was a cute dork and he helped her so she liked him.
And the night-time Emmy goes to....Cordelia Chase!