Chapter 14
Unbeknown to Buffy Angel stood outside her door minutes after she had let Faith in. He had left Cordelia in a hotel room and followed Faith to the apartment. All week he had the feeling that Faith was lying to him so he had followed his gut feeling and followed her.
He knocked hard on the door and patiently waited for her to answer.
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Buffy had just finished awkwardly hugging Faith when her head shot up to the sound of the door. She looked at the door curiously and said "Wonder who that could be".
She walked slowly to the door and pulled it open to reveal Angel. Angel had yet to see her belly and Buffy was in shock and just staring at him.
Angel cleared his throat and said "Hi" Buffy turned around and stared at Faith biting her lip before opening the door revealing to everyone Angel and in turn revealing to him her currant state.
Angel blushed slightly and said "I followed Faith, I was worried". Faith smirked and said "about whom?" Angel replied "You." He then turned his gaze to Buffy's stomach and said "When?" She shrugged and said "nearly 8 months ago". Angel looked puzzled and then suddenly it dawned on him and he said "me?" Buffy nodded.
Angel looked hurt suddenly and said "You weren't going to tell me?" Buffy shook her head and Angel continued "Why?" Buffy said "You have Cordelia; you don't need us complicating your life."
Angel gaze hadn't strayed from Buffy's stomach and she felt a twinge of hope but also a sense of fear. The problem with him suddenly going to her is that it meant he was only with her because of the child. It wasn't what Buffy wanted.
Inside Angel's head was a battle. More than 90% of his brain wanted to stay and be with the woman he loved but the other 10% wasn't sure. He said "I love you..."(Just then Cordelia shows up at the door) Now Angel's battle is switched to 90% of his brain wanted to leave and 10% still not sure.
Everyone turned to the door to see Cordelia's smiling face staring back at them. Angel turned to Buffy and said "One time in my life I loved you but that was a long time ago. I can't be with you and as much as it pains me to do so, I have to go". He then turned and grabbed Cordelia's hand and with a quick "See you soon Faith" he left.
Buffy's mouth fell open and she said "Does anyone else think that was a little strange?" Willow could only nod whereas Faith said "It did look like he was about to admit he loved you before "the bitch" turned up." Buffy put a hand to her stomach and looked at the door and said "It did didn't it?"
Chapter 15
Buffy and Willow were discussing spells while Faith was leaning against a wall listening intently. She suddenly piped in with "That makes sense, whenever she is around he changes dramatically and if she isn't around he starts reverting to himself again." Buffy nodded and said "See Will it can't be real". Willow bit her lip and said "I don't know Buff, Cordelia just doesn't seem like that sort of person." Faith smirked but Buffy grabbed Willow's hand and said "Think about it Willow, The Angel I knew, The Angel we all knew wouldn't have reacted like that about me being pregnant, even if he is human."
Willow nodded and sighed and said "We're going to be researching aren't we?" Faith's smirk stayed and she said "Hell yeah but I think I need sleep first red". Buffy rolled her eyes and said "In the morning yes, after Eliza has gone to school." Buffy rubbed her belly and said "So whose going to help me up?"
## Next Day ##
Buffy, Faith and Willow were surrounded with books. Willow was searching the internet when she let out a screech. They stared at her and said "What?" Willow spun on her chair and said "Faith, you said she went missing for a little bit right?" Faith nodded and said "Yeah something about higher being". Willow nodded and said "And she came back different." Faith nodded and said "definitely". Willow smiled and said triumphantly "Then it has to be this". Buffy looked at curiously and said "What??" Willow pointed at the screen and the girls came over to look while she continued. "She brought back something with her, it attached itself to her, in a way it has become her. It absorbed her memories and powers and is slowly eating away at her. It must be using a spell over Angel. It doesn't have a name that humans can pronounce."
Buffy sat back down stunned and said "Holy crap". Faith let out a whoosh of air and said "I second that". Willow smiled and said "But we can get rid of it but the problem is to do so means killing Cordelia." Faith stood up and punched her hands together and said "Well let's kill the bitch".
Buffy rolled her eyes and said "But we can't kill a human and hello pregnant." Willow tilted her head and said "Well in a way she isn't human, there isn't enough of her left to be called one. She is a shell of what she once was, I don't think she would want to be like this. As for you being pregnant Faith could do it."
Buffy sat for a second and thought about it, it didn't take long for her to know the answer to her question. She sat straighter and said "No I want to do it, she took him away from me Will, that thing made him fall for her." Willow looked at Faith then back at Buffy and said "Well I guess we could wait until the baby is born, it is only about 2 months to go."
Buffy nodded and winced as the baby kicked and said "Well this little one will have it's daddy back, I thought I knew Angel, and the Angel I knew wouldn't abandon me even if he was in love with someone else."
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Author note: So see evil Cordelia, I hate her so I couldn't let her live right? So next chapter I'm thinking the birth. Boy or Girl that is the question!!!
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