Orpheus
author: Elizabeth5
pairing: W/F, with some C/D, C/A, and other tidbit pairings from the Buffyverse
summary: After Wesley's death, he learns that there is still a chance to save Fred's soul. It's all about closure, baby.
category: romance, angst, action/adventure
rating: PG
author's note: There's no denying that Joss Whedon is a genius, but I need a little more closure. So here it is.
Disclaimer: none of this is mine. Sadly.

chapter four: Of Chocolate and Bunnies

"Found something."

Cordelia rose to her feet and crossed over to where Wesley sat, leaning over his shoulder. He pointed to a passage in the text. "It says here that in order to travel between planes, we have to offer the Powers That Be a gift of immeasurable worth."

"Immeasurable worth?" Cordelia repeated, frowning. "Like...a gift certificate to Nordstroms, or something?"

Wesley smiled at this. "Something like that."

There was a moment of silence. Cordelia pulled back and then seated herself next to Wesley, meeting his gaze earnestly. "Wes. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I was doing what I thought was best."

"I know." Wesley returned, and meant it. "And I probably would have done the same in your position. But next time, trust me to make my own decisions, and I promise to do the same for you. Deal?"

"Deal."

The door to their small room opened and Doyle walked in, bearing a small rectangular box. "Donuts, anyone?"

Cordelia squealed at this, rushing to him. "Did you get chocolate?"

Doyle grinned in return. "But of course, milady." He nodded at Wesley. "And jelly-filled for the gentleman."

Wesley shook his head, still intently pouring over the books. "Not hungry."

"Come on, Wesley," Cordelia cajoled, "you're gonna need your strength."

He raised an eyebrow. "And eating a highly-processed, sugar filled pastry will give me that?"

"Uh, yeah."

Wesley obligingly took a donut, though he set it down on the table, forgetting it only a second later. Cordelia pulled Doyle aside, lowering her voice. "Any news on how the battle's going?"

"Our guys are still kicking, but barely," Doyle informed her. "They're outnumbered hundreds to one." At this, he inexplicably smiled.

Cordelia frowned at him. "Why on Earth are you smiling?" A suspicion crossed her mind, and she glared at him. "Doyle...did you cheat and look into the future?"

Doyle looked away. "No, of course not. That would be wrong, and evil, and..."

"Doyle!" Cordelia reprimanded. She paused, but only for a moment, and inquired, "What happens?"

He grinned at her. "I thought it was cheating to look into the future."

Cordelia scowled. "Oh, who cares? I need to know what happens!"

Doyle glanced back at Wesley, making certain he wouldn't overhear. "Well, everyone's favorite slayer shows up with her slayerettes, along with a couple of old friends. That electric Gwen chick...very nice red leather thing she has going on, by the way...that coven of witches that took in Willow after she went all Manson, and they even used magic to control Oz's and Nina's werewolf tendencies so that they could fight the baddies but not hurt their friends. It's a pretty impressive circus down there."

"And?" Cordelia prodded. "Who wins?"

"Well, the white hats, of course." Doyle returned. "Although we will have a few old friends joining us shortly enough..."

There was a knock at the door. Frowning, Cordelia crossed to answer it. To her surprise, Anya was there, a determined smile on her face. "I came to help," she said. She motioned to Doyle. "The handsome Irish man told me what was happening, and I want to help. I already got Larry to take over my shift."

Cordy frowned at her. "Uh, that's very nice, Anya, but..."

"I'm very good at research." Anya asserted. "And, besides, Giles Jr. here is the best tipper I've had in...well, ever. I want to help...unless it involves bunnies." Her gaze suddenly become frightened. "It doesn't involve bunnies, does it?"

Just as Cordelia opened her mouth to inform Anya that her assistance wouldn't be needed, Wesley spoke. "No bunnies. Thank you for the help, Anya."

Pleased with herself, Anya took a book from the stack and opened it, seating herself across from Wesley. They smiled at him, and he returned his focus to the research. Anya continued to watch him. "Doyle told me about Fred," she said finally. "I think it's very romantic– you, risking your very existence to save her."

Wesley looked embarrassed at this. "Well...any man in love would do the same."

Anya shook her head. "No, they wouldn't. I used to be a vengeance demon, punishing the faults of men. Particularly those who claimed to be in love. Not just any man would do this. She's a very lucky girl."

Wesley smiled in return. "Let's hope." he said.

Cordelia and Doyle rejoined the group. "Well," said Cordy, "what about this gift thing?" She looked at Doyle. "Any ideas?"

"A gift of immeasurable worth," Doyle repeated, frowning as he contemplated this. "Maybe...we could build them a really impressive temple, or something."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "My Nordstroms idea was better than that."

From the opposite side of the table, Anya cleared her throat. "I have an idea."

Wesley stroked his face thoughtfully. "Or perhaps a burnt sacrifice? No, it's a bit too cliche, isn't it..."

"Everyone," Anya tried again, "turn your focus to me. I have an idea."

"Chocolate?" Cordelia offered. "Everyone likes chocolate..."

"HEY!"

They glanced up, blinking in surprise. Triumphant at having caught their attention, Anya puffed out her chest. "I have an idea. What about a song? Music is traditionally considered one of the purest and truest forms of storytelling and communication."

Wesley's face had paled visibly. "You want me to sing?"

Cordelia snorted. "I've heard you sing, Wes, and that's not a gift of immeasurable worth. It's a gift of unwanted worth."

"It wouldn't have to be you," Anya insisted. "You could use someone else. So long as it's pleasing to the Powers That Be, they'll allow a substitute– and I know just the girl."

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"Lilah?" Fred inquired, not bothering to mask her surprise. "But...why aren't you in Hell? You're like the poster child for evil."

Lilah merely laughed at this. "Surprised me, too. Apparently some higher power has a pretty funny sense of humor."

Lindsay glanced back and forth between them, frowning. "You two know each other?"

"Oh, Fred and I go way back." Lilah said coolly. "You could almost say...we were like best friends. I mean, we shared everything."

At the reference to Wesley, Fred stiffened. She had never quite resigned herself to the fact that Wesley had been with...Lilah. She understood that he'd been lonely, but it unnerved her to no end that Lilah had ever shared any part of Wesley's heart.

Beside her, Lindsay raised an eyebrow. "You mean like outfits or something?"

"Something like that," Fred returned, "only they always looked better on me."

Lilah held her gaze for a moment, then laughed. "Well, Fred. It's good to see you've gained some gumption. Wish I could say you'd gained a little weight– curves were never really your strong point– but we take what we can get."

Lindsay laughed, shaking his head ruefully. "Whoa, if I'd known I'd signed up for a cat-fight..." He paused, considering this. "Well, I probably would have sold tickets." He glanced between them again. "So what's the deal?"

"Wesley," Lilah informed him simply. "He and I were playmates and Fred was jealous."

Fred merely glared at her. "And how many times when you were 'playing' together was Wesley thinking of me, huh Lilah?"

The smile had faded from Lilah's face. Lindsay, in the meantime, was staring at them incredulously. "Wesley? As in...Wesley?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Man, never knew he had it in him..."

Lilah smiled coyly. "You might be surprised."

Fred looked away. Wesley told you that he loved you, she reminded herself, that he's always loved you. Lilah was just a passing thing...

Sensing that the fireworks had died down for the moment, Lindsay clapped his hands together. "Well, I'm gonna go see what parts I can salvage from Fred's car before the others get to it. You two behave yourselves...at least until I get back."

He exited the building. Lilah and Fred regarded each other for a moment, and then Fred retreated into a corner, sitting down on the ground and hugging herself for warmth. Reluctantly, she looked up at the other woman. "I don't suppose you have any blankets?"

"What?" Lilah teased. "No spicy memories to keep you warm?"

When Fred didn't reply, Lilah moved over to a cupboard and pulled out a long blanket. "Here. It's falling apart, but it'll keep you warm."

Fred took it, eying her warily. "What about you? Don't you get cold here?"

"Cold-blooded, remember?" Lilah returned. She smiled and leaned up against the wall, studying Fred. "You really are jealous of me, aren't you?" she inquired after a moment.

"I could say the same." Fred returned with more conviction than she felt.

Lilah shrugged. "Sure– I mean, who doesn't want that fluffy bunny love that's in all the fairytales? I used to want that when I was a little girl, I guess. But we all grow up, Fred. You and Wesley were together for how long? Days? He and I were together for months." She laughed at Fred, shaking her head. "You two never even had the chance to sleep together, did you?"

Fred remained silent.

Moving closer, Lilah stopped a few feet away from Fred, crouching down. "As a woman of the world, Fred, let me explain a little something to you. That perfect, ethereal love? It doesn't exist. Do you think Wesley's going to be dreaming about a few kisses into his pillow at night? Come on, Fred. He's a man. He may claim you as the love of his life, but I'm the one that he'll never forget."

Fred was forcing back tears, now. "Why do you even care? It's not like you loved Wesley."

Lilah rose to her feet, turning her back on her. "You might be surprised." She walked the other direction, pausing at the door. "Listen, Fred, it's better just to forget about him. It's better to forget about that life. Wesley isn't going to save you. None of them are going to save you. So you might as well move on."

She left the room. It wasn't until she was gone that Fred laid down on the ground and allowed the tears to come.