Chapter 4: A deal from hell.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** Although Sarah is reproofing my fic, you still may find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more then welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Sarah for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
"First of all congratulations Cordelia." Lilah walked in smirking only to be stopped half way by Gunn, Fred and Angel.
"You're not welcomed here." Fred said angrily.
"Well, don't you want to hear what I have to say first?" Lilah asked with a smile.
"You heard her. Leave" Angel was losing his patience rapidly.
"Are you also speaking for the mother to be?" Lilah smiled as she tilted her head and glanced at Cordy who still sat on the couch.
"Lilah, leave or I'll make you leave." Angel replied angrily as he walked a few inches closer to her, Lilah moved backwards, a bit.
"Angel wait." Cordy spoke softly and stood up. "Let her talk."
"Cordy nothing she has to say can be good." Angel didn't trust her. Neither did the rest.
"I know, but if she knows something..."
"What ever she knows she won't give it to you out of the goodness of her heart, she'll have a price." Wesley said as he stared at Lilah, hoping she wouldn't say anything about their little encounters.
"Everything and everyone has a price. Isn't that right, Wesley?" Lilah smiled at him.
Angel looked at Lilah then at Wesley. He twitched his nose and smiled. "Well well, who knew?" He looked at Wesley.
"Knew what?' Fred asked confused.
"Uh...That Lilah would actually offer to help us." He covered for Wesley.
"You have five minutes." Cordy answered harshly and sat back down.
"Don't need more." Lilah said and walked in towards Cordy, after the gang let her through. "This is the warrior that came after you." Lilah handed Cordy a photograph of the thing that attracted her. All the rest gathered around to take a look. He seemed tall. His face was strange looking. Only his green shiny eyes shined through from what appeared to be a black and rough, almost looked like a rock. His body was black and he seemed very frightening. "He's called the Sheryon, he is an assassin. As you can tell his entire body is covered with this black shield, including his face. He can't be harmed, can't be killed. Nothing, and I mean nothing, penetrates his shield, his only visible vulnerability is his eyes, they are the only thing that is not shielded, although I hear he fights quite well even blind. He is a trained warrior with only one goal; to complete his assignment." Lilah smiled in satisfaction.
"Does he work alone?" Angel asked unsure of what Lilah said.
"For now, that is if he completes his mission. If he fails for any reason another one of his kind will continue where he left off." Everyone looked at her terrified. "You see when you hire it, you make the contract with his kind, they decide which warrior to send and they collect the fee." She looked at Angel. "And before you think it, they don't come from this dimension and there's no way you can get to them. The location is protected, even your precious powers can't help you find them." Again she smiled.
"So what's the point Lilah? How do you come in?" Cordy asked taking in what Lilah had just said.
***
"Wolfram & Hart offer their services." She pulled at folder from he brief case. "We are prepared to defend you and your unborn child, and of course try to end this dispute with who ever it is that sent that thing after you." "She handed the file to Cordy.
"And what do you want in return?" Cordy asked knowing there's always a price.
"The child of course when he is born." Lilah smiled.
"Are you nuts lady?" Gunn jumped in. "Do you really think she'll hand over her child to you? Get real?"
"We didn't say we need it for good, we just want to... you know..."
"Examine him, right? Find out his abilities? Find ways to make him work for you, someday." Wesley finished off the sentence.
"We promise he won't be harmed and you'll be free to raise it without us interfering, that is until the child is old enough to decide for his own."
"You are one sick individual." Fred summed it up.
"Why don't you just take him? I mean this is your style, considering Connor" Cordy asked.
"And see how well it turned out." Lilah said sarcastically. "We decided to try another approach, not say of course that if you decline our gracious offer we may have to consider a different approach. Besides we don't want to kill this one." Lilah heard Angel growl and stopped smiling realizing she is talking about his son.
"And let me guess?" Cordy looked at Lilah. "While I await my child's birth you'll be happy to accommodate me and along the way analyze me as well. I mean if you can know what a higher being knows? Wow, think of the possibilities." Cordy played along.
"We have looked at section 6, article 4, paragraph 1." Lilah pointed out the location to Cordelia.
"You are crazy." Cordy concluded.
"Hi, if you can get two for the price of one, why not?" Lilah's smile never faded. She seemed so happy and content.
"How do we know it wasn't you who sent that thing after Cordy? Fred asked.
"We didn't, and you only have my word."
"Well that make it all different." Lorne said sarcastically putting his sentence in.
"This thing is not easy to summon, it takes great power, dark powers, and the fee is unbelievable. Also our sources tell us, this warrior is their best, that means someone really wants you dead." Lilah found so much delight in that thought.
"Okay we've heard enough now go." Angel ordered as he grabbed Lilah's arm dragging her away.
"Think about it. The offer is good for 48 hours." She called out as she was dragged away. "Let go." She shoved Angel away. "I can leave on my own." She walked up the stairs and as she reached the door she turned back. "You can't stop, you can't fight. Better to lose some than lose it all."
"Lilah wait." Cordy called out to her. "Do you know who sent it?"
"No, but I'd say you really pissed someone off, maybe even several." And then with that awful smile she left.
***
"Great we're doomed." Fred dropped on the couch in despair.
"No we're not." Angel said. "We need to figure a way, that's all."
"Yeah, simple as that." Cordy also felt the helplessness the rest did.
"Wesley can I see you for a moment? In my office."
"Sure." Wesley replied and followed Angel to his office.
"What's that all about?" Gunn asked confused as he saw the two walking away.
"Maybe they've decided to bury all their differences, to be friends again." Fred wished for it for so long.
"Don't count on it Honey." Cordy burst her bubble.
***
Wesley walked in as Angel went to close the door behind them. "Angel if this is about Lilah I don't think...."
"Did you tell her about Cordy?" Angel cut him off.
"No, of course not." Wesley denied the allegation.
"I don't believe you. How could she have known she was back, unless you told her?"
"Angel she was the one who told me Cordelia was back. How do you think I knew to get here?" Wesley didn't really care if Angel believed him or not, but he wasn't about to be accused for something he didn't do.
"Fine. Let's say I believe you..."
"Lets say I care." Wesley added.
"You slept with her. With Lilah." Angel said that in disgust.
"You slept with Darla, when she was a vampire." Wesley had a good point. "My private life is my business."
"How do I know you won't tell her what we discover here?" Angel didn't trust him, not yet.
"Right now she knows more, and I wouldn't do that. I still care for Cordelia although she abandoned me with all of you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt, you can at least believe that if nothing else."
"I do." Angel replied. "And I didn't get a chance to thank you for what you did for me and..."
"Don't. I did it for me, not for you. Call it a redemption thing."
"Fine." Angel said and was about to leave when Wesley stopped him.
"I would prefer if you won't mention it to anyone."
"I can for everyone, except Cordy, if I'll have to I'll tell her." Wesley nodded for understanding and the two left the office.
***
"We have a plan." Fred jumped up from the couch and declared as Angel and Wesley joined them.
"No we don't." Cordy said.
"It's a good plan." Fred smiled.
"It's a bad plan and I'm not doing it." Cordy kept resisting.
"Can we hear it before passing judgment?" Angel asked Cordelia.
"Sure." She shrugged her shoulders. "Fred the floor is yours."
Fred smiled and stood up straight facing everyone. "Who's' the strongest person after Angel we know?" Fred asked waiting for reply.
"Groosalug?" Wesley asked and could see Angel's frowning.
"No from this dimension?" Fred kept on the guessing game.
"Come on people, answer her already, think." Cordy was losing her patience.
"Buffy." Angel said and from Fred's smile he knew he ht the marker.
"We send Cordy to Sunnydale where she can be protected by the slayer and a powerful witch." Fred smiled in satisfaction.
"Like I said bad bad idea." Cordy said.
"No it's not, after all if you're not here..."
"She's right Fred, it is a bad idea." Cordy was surprised Angel agreed with her.
"Why?" Fred asked in disappointment.
"Buffy is strong but she won't have her full attention on Cordy. She has a sister to take care of, a job, and a daily slaying. She can't guard her 24/7 and right now this is what Cordy needs." He actually made sense, at least to Cordy, but then... "But I do like your idea, only... what if instead of bringing Mohamed to the mountain we bring...?"
"No way." Cordy cut him. "You're not bringing them here, not now." Cordy already knew Angel's great plan.
"Cordy we need strength, more than we got. Buffy can provide that." Angel explained.
"But she won't come alone, she'll bring everyone with her, it would be like a reunion from hell. And wait till they hear about the pregnancy and all the rest. It's not like I've kept them in the loop for the past 3 years." Cordy dreaded the thought of meeting the Scoobies again, like this.
"Cordelia, he's right. We can't protect you and do research and take care of you and the baby all at once. It's too much for the four of us." Wesley added.
"So you're staying?" Fred asked surprised.
"For now." Wesley replied.
"I'll go phone Buffy." Angel turned to the phone.
"Angel no." Cordy got up and tried limping at his direction.
Angel turned and walked towards her meeting her halfway and supporting her. "Don't worry, it will be alright. No matter what, we'll face it together."
"You promise." She whispered in his ear.
"Always."
"Okay, make the call." Cordy agreed.
***
"Oh god." Buffy said as she hang up the phone.
"What?" Dawn who just got back from school asked.
"You need to pack and I need to talk to principle Wood." Buffy replied.
"What? Pack? What are you talking about?" Dawn was confused.
"Then again I might ask Xander to stay with you." Buffy kept talking to herself ignoring her sister questions.
"Buffy slow down what are you talking about?"
"But Angel said he needed all the help I can gather, that means Xander is on board. Maybe even Spike."
"Buffy!" Dawn yelled and her sister who stopped babbling and looked at her. "What's going on?"
"Angel called. He didn't give me a lot of details. He said he needs my help, our help ASAP, he said he'll explain when we get there."
"Get where?" Dawn still didn't follow.
"L.A., we're going to L.A."
***
He heard a knock on the door. He knew whom it was but asked anyway. "Who is it?"
"It's me?" He recognized her voice.
"Come in Cordelia." She knew by the way he said her full name she was in trouble.
"Hey." He said as he was changing his shirt.
"Hey." She replied as she walked inside. **God he looks so good without his shirt on** She thought to herself.
"Need anything?" he asked after she stood there and said nothing.
"I wanted to apologize for lying to you and to talk about last night. You really hurt me."
"I hurt you??? I hurt you?" he got up.
"You're acting like I did this on purpose. I didn't." She shouted at him angrily. **Did he really think I planned this or wanted this**
"Of course you didn't." He mellowed it down a bit." I just meant that it took me by surprise, that's all." He explained.
"Me to Angel. And you know what?" She walked towards him and sat on the bed. "I'm scared, and nervous. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a mother, I'm not even sure I'll be any good." She looked sad and confused. "And to top it all there's a vicious killer after me and soon probably a bunch of lawyers as well."
"You're not alone in this, Cordy." He reached out and held her hand. "And I don't just mean the apocalypse that's coming our way, I mean for the whole show." Angel knew what he was offering and he felt complete about his decision. He loved her. That was a fact. And he knew he'd love this child like it was his own.
"Thank you, but you don't have to. There's lot of single moms out there." Cordy couldn't believe she was referring to herself as a 'mom'."
"I know, but you won't be one of them. Not as long as you have me and the gang by your side." He put his arm around her as she placed her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered. And let him hold her, not wanting to let go.
TBC
Hi ppl,
Thank you for your wonderful reviews. I still don't know what I'll do about Anya but thank you for telling me your opinion.
I hope you'll enjoy this ch; it's the beginning of the crossover.
So review and let me know what you think.
By the way I'm sorry in advance if my next update will take longer, I'm a bit busy at the moment, but I'll do my best.
Thanks Nikka.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hi everyone, If you need to know about summary, rate and all the rest it's all in chapter 1 I'll just remind you that **English is not my native tongue** Although Sarah is reproofing my fic, you still may find some spelling & grammar mistakes. You're more then welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story. Have fun.
A special thank you to Sarah for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
"First of all congratulations Cordelia." Lilah walked in smirking only to be stopped half way by Gunn, Fred and Angel.
"You're not welcomed here." Fred said angrily.
"Well, don't you want to hear what I have to say first?" Lilah asked with a smile.
"You heard her. Leave" Angel was losing his patience rapidly.
"Are you also speaking for the mother to be?" Lilah smiled as she tilted her head and glanced at Cordy who still sat on the couch.
"Lilah, leave or I'll make you leave." Angel replied angrily as he walked a few inches closer to her, Lilah moved backwards, a bit.
"Angel wait." Cordy spoke softly and stood up. "Let her talk."
"Cordy nothing she has to say can be good." Angel didn't trust her. Neither did the rest.
"I know, but if she knows something..."
"What ever she knows she won't give it to you out of the goodness of her heart, she'll have a price." Wesley said as he stared at Lilah, hoping she wouldn't say anything about their little encounters.
"Everything and everyone has a price. Isn't that right, Wesley?" Lilah smiled at him.
Angel looked at Lilah then at Wesley. He twitched his nose and smiled. "Well well, who knew?" He looked at Wesley.
"Knew what?' Fred asked confused.
"Uh...That Lilah would actually offer to help us." He covered for Wesley.
"You have five minutes." Cordy answered harshly and sat back down.
"Don't need more." Lilah said and walked in towards Cordy, after the gang let her through. "This is the warrior that came after you." Lilah handed Cordy a photograph of the thing that attracted her. All the rest gathered around to take a look. He seemed tall. His face was strange looking. Only his green shiny eyes shined through from what appeared to be a black and rough, almost looked like a rock. His body was black and he seemed very frightening. "He's called the Sheryon, he is an assassin. As you can tell his entire body is covered with this black shield, including his face. He can't be harmed, can't be killed. Nothing, and I mean nothing, penetrates his shield, his only visible vulnerability is his eyes, they are the only thing that is not shielded, although I hear he fights quite well even blind. He is a trained warrior with only one goal; to complete his assignment." Lilah smiled in satisfaction.
"Does he work alone?" Angel asked unsure of what Lilah said.
"For now, that is if he completes his mission. If he fails for any reason another one of his kind will continue where he left off." Everyone looked at her terrified. "You see when you hire it, you make the contract with his kind, they decide which warrior to send and they collect the fee." She looked at Angel. "And before you think it, they don't come from this dimension and there's no way you can get to them. The location is protected, even your precious powers can't help you find them." Again she smiled.
"So what's the point Lilah? How do you come in?" Cordy asked taking in what Lilah had just said.
***
"Wolfram & Hart offer their services." She pulled at folder from he brief case. "We are prepared to defend you and your unborn child, and of course try to end this dispute with who ever it is that sent that thing after you." "She handed the file to Cordy.
"And what do you want in return?" Cordy asked knowing there's always a price.
"The child of course when he is born." Lilah smiled.
"Are you nuts lady?" Gunn jumped in. "Do you really think she'll hand over her child to you? Get real?"
"We didn't say we need it for good, we just want to... you know..."
"Examine him, right? Find out his abilities? Find ways to make him work for you, someday." Wesley finished off the sentence.
"We promise he won't be harmed and you'll be free to raise it without us interfering, that is until the child is old enough to decide for his own."
"You are one sick individual." Fred summed it up.
"Why don't you just take him? I mean this is your style, considering Connor" Cordy asked.
"And see how well it turned out." Lilah said sarcastically. "We decided to try another approach, not say of course that if you decline our gracious offer we may have to consider a different approach. Besides we don't want to kill this one." Lilah heard Angel growl and stopped smiling realizing she is talking about his son.
"And let me guess?" Cordy looked at Lilah. "While I await my child's birth you'll be happy to accommodate me and along the way analyze me as well. I mean if you can know what a higher being knows? Wow, think of the possibilities." Cordy played along.
"We have looked at section 6, article 4, paragraph 1." Lilah pointed out the location to Cordelia.
"You are crazy." Cordy concluded.
"Hi, if you can get two for the price of one, why not?" Lilah's smile never faded. She seemed so happy and content.
"How do we know it wasn't you who sent that thing after Cordy? Fred asked.
"We didn't, and you only have my word."
"Well that make it all different." Lorne said sarcastically putting his sentence in.
"This thing is not easy to summon, it takes great power, dark powers, and the fee is unbelievable. Also our sources tell us, this warrior is their best, that means someone really wants you dead." Lilah found so much delight in that thought.
"Okay we've heard enough now go." Angel ordered as he grabbed Lilah's arm dragging her away.
"Think about it. The offer is good for 48 hours." She called out as she was dragged away. "Let go." She shoved Angel away. "I can leave on my own." She walked up the stairs and as she reached the door she turned back. "You can't stop, you can't fight. Better to lose some than lose it all."
"Lilah wait." Cordy called out to her. "Do you know who sent it?"
"No, but I'd say you really pissed someone off, maybe even several." And then with that awful smile she left.
***
"Great we're doomed." Fred dropped on the couch in despair.
"No we're not." Angel said. "We need to figure a way, that's all."
"Yeah, simple as that." Cordy also felt the helplessness the rest did.
"Wesley can I see you for a moment? In my office."
"Sure." Wesley replied and followed Angel to his office.
"What's that all about?" Gunn asked confused as he saw the two walking away.
"Maybe they've decided to bury all their differences, to be friends again." Fred wished for it for so long.
"Don't count on it Honey." Cordy burst her bubble.
***
Wesley walked in as Angel went to close the door behind them. "Angel if this is about Lilah I don't think...."
"Did you tell her about Cordy?" Angel cut him off.
"No, of course not." Wesley denied the allegation.
"I don't believe you. How could she have known she was back, unless you told her?"
"Angel she was the one who told me Cordelia was back. How do you think I knew to get here?" Wesley didn't really care if Angel believed him or not, but he wasn't about to be accused for something he didn't do.
"Fine. Let's say I believe you..."
"Lets say I care." Wesley added.
"You slept with her. With Lilah." Angel said that in disgust.
"You slept with Darla, when she was a vampire." Wesley had a good point. "My private life is my business."
"How do I know you won't tell her what we discover here?" Angel didn't trust him, not yet.
"Right now she knows more, and I wouldn't do that. I still care for Cordelia although she abandoned me with all of you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt, you can at least believe that if nothing else."
"I do." Angel replied. "And I didn't get a chance to thank you for what you did for me and..."
"Don't. I did it for me, not for you. Call it a redemption thing."
"Fine." Angel said and was about to leave when Wesley stopped him.
"I would prefer if you won't mention it to anyone."
"I can for everyone, except Cordy, if I'll have to I'll tell her." Wesley nodded for understanding and the two left the office.
***
"We have a plan." Fred jumped up from the couch and declared as Angel and Wesley joined them.
"No we don't." Cordy said.
"It's a good plan." Fred smiled.
"It's a bad plan and I'm not doing it." Cordy kept resisting.
"Can we hear it before passing judgment?" Angel asked Cordelia.
"Sure." She shrugged her shoulders. "Fred the floor is yours."
Fred smiled and stood up straight facing everyone. "Who's' the strongest person after Angel we know?" Fred asked waiting for reply.
"Groosalug?" Wesley asked and could see Angel's frowning.
"No from this dimension?" Fred kept on the guessing game.
"Come on people, answer her already, think." Cordy was losing her patience.
"Buffy." Angel said and from Fred's smile he knew he ht the marker.
"We send Cordy to Sunnydale where she can be protected by the slayer and a powerful witch." Fred smiled in satisfaction.
"Like I said bad bad idea." Cordy said.
"No it's not, after all if you're not here..."
"She's right Fred, it is a bad idea." Cordy was surprised Angel agreed with her.
"Why?" Fred asked in disappointment.
"Buffy is strong but she won't have her full attention on Cordy. She has a sister to take care of, a job, and a daily slaying. She can't guard her 24/7 and right now this is what Cordy needs." He actually made sense, at least to Cordy, but then... "But I do like your idea, only... what if instead of bringing Mohamed to the mountain we bring...?"
"No way." Cordy cut him. "You're not bringing them here, not now." Cordy already knew Angel's great plan.
"Cordy we need strength, more than we got. Buffy can provide that." Angel explained.
"But she won't come alone, she'll bring everyone with her, it would be like a reunion from hell. And wait till they hear about the pregnancy and all the rest. It's not like I've kept them in the loop for the past 3 years." Cordy dreaded the thought of meeting the Scoobies again, like this.
"Cordelia, he's right. We can't protect you and do research and take care of you and the baby all at once. It's too much for the four of us." Wesley added.
"So you're staying?" Fred asked surprised.
"For now." Wesley replied.
"I'll go phone Buffy." Angel turned to the phone.
"Angel no." Cordy got up and tried limping at his direction.
Angel turned and walked towards her meeting her halfway and supporting her. "Don't worry, it will be alright. No matter what, we'll face it together."
"You promise." She whispered in his ear.
"Always."
"Okay, make the call." Cordy agreed.
***
"Oh god." Buffy said as she hang up the phone.
"What?" Dawn who just got back from school asked.
"You need to pack and I need to talk to principle Wood." Buffy replied.
"What? Pack? What are you talking about?" Dawn was confused.
"Then again I might ask Xander to stay with you." Buffy kept talking to herself ignoring her sister questions.
"Buffy slow down what are you talking about?"
"But Angel said he needed all the help I can gather, that means Xander is on board. Maybe even Spike."
"Buffy!" Dawn yelled and her sister who stopped babbling and looked at her. "What's going on?"
"Angel called. He didn't give me a lot of details. He said he needs my help, our help ASAP, he said he'll explain when we get there."
"Get where?" Dawn still didn't follow.
"L.A., we're going to L.A."
***
He heard a knock on the door. He knew whom it was but asked anyway. "Who is it?"
"It's me?" He recognized her voice.
"Come in Cordelia." She knew by the way he said her full name she was in trouble.
"Hey." He said as he was changing his shirt.
"Hey." She replied as she walked inside. **God he looks so good without his shirt on** She thought to herself.
"Need anything?" he asked after she stood there and said nothing.
"I wanted to apologize for lying to you and to talk about last night. You really hurt me."
"I hurt you??? I hurt you?" he got up.
"You're acting like I did this on purpose. I didn't." She shouted at him angrily. **Did he really think I planned this or wanted this**
"Of course you didn't." He mellowed it down a bit." I just meant that it took me by surprise, that's all." He explained.
"Me to Angel. And you know what?" She walked towards him and sat on the bed. "I'm scared, and nervous. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a mother, I'm not even sure I'll be any good." She looked sad and confused. "And to top it all there's a vicious killer after me and soon probably a bunch of lawyers as well."
"You're not alone in this, Cordy." He reached out and held her hand. "And I don't just mean the apocalypse that's coming our way, I mean for the whole show." Angel knew what he was offering and he felt complete about his decision. He loved her. That was a fact. And he knew he'd love this child like it was his own.
"Thank you, but you don't have to. There's lot of single moms out there." Cordy couldn't believe she was referring to herself as a 'mom'."
"I know, but you won't be one of them. Not as long as you have me and the gang by your side." He put his arm around her as she placed her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you," she whispered. And let him hold her, not wanting to let go.
TBC
Hi ppl,
Thank you for your wonderful reviews. I still don't know what I'll do about Anya but thank you for telling me your opinion.
I hope you'll enjoy this ch; it's the beginning of the crossover.
So review and let me know what you think.
By the way I'm sorry in advance if my next update will take longer, I'm a bit busy at the moment, but I'll do my best.
Thanks Nikka.