A Slayers' Wish
Chapter: Two
Just another Night in L.A.
Angel sat behind the desk in his office at Wolfram and Hart going over the file of their most recent case in a brave attempt to keep himself busy. It had been three months since that tragic night, but the news of Cordelias' death was still fresh in his mind. When ever the Vampire allowed himself to reflect on the last moment that they spent together, he came close to falling apart. Angel felt the need to talk to one of his friends about the problem and share his feelings of grief, but he couldn't seem to get himself to open up to anyone. He felt so alone. It was like being on the outside of the world looking in.
At times like this, Angel wished he'd remained in Sunny Dale. Angel was sure that had he stayed with Buffy, the tragic events that led up to Cordys' death never would've happened. At that moment, the creaking sound of his office door cut into Angels' thoughts. The Vampire looked up and found Wesley walking up to his desk with a thick file folder in his possession. The rogue demon hunter laid the folder on the desk in front of his supernatural friend and announced casually. "There are papers in there for you to sign." The Vampire nodded and replied mournfully. "Thanks, Wes."
The ex-watcher sat down in one of the empty chairs and asked wonderingly. "Angel, are you going to be all right?" There was an awkward silence for a moment. Finally, Angel sighed and remarked sadly, "I don't know, Wesley. It just seems to me that, if I would have turned Doyle down and had never excepted this crazy mission of mine in the first place, Cordelia would alive and enjoying a normal life right now instead of being dead and six feet under." Wesley took a deep breath and replied sympathetically. "Angel, you can't blame yourself for what happened to Cordy. There was no way you could have prevented what took place. It wasn't your fault." Angel took a deep breath and replied dejectedly. "Wesley, I'm the god damn Champion. I should have known. I should have realized there was something wrong, but I was too blind to see what was right in front of me. Wesley, she's dead. Cordy's dead now, and I'll never get to tell her how sorry I am for what I'd said to her."
Wesley sat back in his chair and inquired curiously. "Did Cordy blame you for her death, before she left?" Angel shook his head silently. Wesley was about to say more, When Gunn walked into the office and declared cheerfully. "I can't get over this. You two should have seen me in court today. I totally whipped the prosecutors' ass and sent him home crying to his mama." The rogue demon hunter smiled and replied enthusiastically. "So I take it that this really important case went well then." "Well? Man, I had the judge eating out of my hand." Gunn proclaimed joyfully.
Angel grinned and replied evenly. "Congratulations on your victory, Gunn. That's wonderful news." Charles looked at Angel, looked back at Wesley, and then asked wonderingly. "Have I come at a bad time?" The rogue demon hunter shook his and replied casually. "He's still trying to get over Cordy" Gunn nodded and said understandingly. "I get it. So, do we tranq him now or later?" Wesley laughed and replied seriously. "I think we just need to give him some time. I'm sure that everything will work out in the end." "I really do hope so." Gunn said eagerly and then left the office. A moment later, Wesley followed him.
Angel got up from his chair and was just about to get him a glass of blood, when a mild feeling of exhaustion and weakness suddenly took hold forcing the Vampire to lean against the wall for support. At that moment, Spiked walked in and instantly noticed his condition. Spike rushed over and said as he gently took his fellow Vampire, helped him over to an empty chair, and sat him down. "It looks like you need to rest for a moment, mate." Angel nodded and replied weakly. "I feel so strange, Spike. I don't know what's happening to me."
Spike placed a hand on his forehead and announced gravely. "I hate to you this mate, but you're actually running a temperature. I think you need to call it a night and get some rest. I'll help you up to your flat, if you need me too." Angel shook his head and replied dragging himself back to his feet. "I think I can make it, Spike. I just need you to do one thing for me." "What's that?" Spike inquired curiously. "Don't tell the others about this. They're already worried enough about me as it is."
Spike considered Angels' request for a moment and then nodded in silent agreement before leaving the office. Angel followed Spikes advice. The Vampire went upstairs to his apartment, got undressed and crawled into bed just as an even deeper feeling of weakness spread through out his entire body. The Vampire was asleep within seconds.