Chapter 5: Welcome to the city of Angel. (no there's no mistake I dropped the S on purpose)
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.
***
"Good morning." She greeted the gathered crowd as they all sat in the kitchen. She couldn't help but laugh. In front of the stove stood Angel & Gunn. It seemed like Angel was attempting to teach Gunn how to make an omelet. Gunn kept complaining saying he knows how to make eggs, and Angel kept correcting him by saying, that an omelet is not merely an egg, it's a work of art. On the side she saw Lorne trying to cut vegetables, apparently for a salad. He kept calling for Angel saying the knife was attacking him. And sitting on the stool slicing bread with a huge smile on her face was Fred. She seemed pleased with herself. Cordy looked around looking for Wesley, but he was nowhere in sight. **Must have gone home last night** she thought to herself.
"Good morning princess." Lorne looked up from the vegetables with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"Like a baby." She replied with a smiled. "What is all of this? Making breakfast I presume?" She sat next to Fred.
"I thought it be nice to make breakfast for the new mom." Gunn took all the credit.
"You thought???" Angel, Fred and Lorne chorused together in surprise.
"I believe, that right belongs to me." Lorne bragged.
"But I suggested the famous omelet." Angel said quickly with a grin on his face.
"Please, give me a break." Fred waved her hand in protest. "I think you know who was the real mind behind this wonderful plan." Fred said with pride.
"You did all of this for me?" Cordy felt a bit embarrassed. "You guys." She smiled looking at her friends. At that moment she knew why she always referred to them as her family. "Can I help?" She was about to get up, when Fred grabbed her arm and told her to sit down.
"You sit, let your leg rest." Angel said as he asked Fred for the bread. "How is your leg by the way?"
"Good. I hardly limped today. I think it's getting better."
"I still think we should take you to a doctor." Angel knew her injury wasn't serious but he wasn't about to take any chances.
"And we will, but not the one you think." Angel looked at her confused.
"A gynecologist silly. A doctor should check out the baby and me. It's not like they had any doctors on the higher plane." She smiled.
And Then it hit him **she never saw a doctor. What if she's in danger? What if she needs medical attention?** Thoughts clouded his mind when all of the sudden he dropped everything turned to Cordy grabbed her hand and ordered. "Lets go."
"Hey, wait up, not so fast." Cordy stopped him.
"Why wait? You're right you haven't seen a doctor and you should, so lets go." He pulled her arm, but she didn't move.
"Angel?" She smiled at him. "It's not that simple; first thing I need to make an appointment, I can't just show up and say to the doctor: hey check me out." She laughed at her little joke.
"Okay so lets get..."
"And secondly." She interrupted Angel before he had a chance to protest. "It's daytime so you and I are not going anywhere for the next few hours."
"Uh, right." He smiled a little smile let go of her arm and turned back to the cooking.
***
"So..." She stood in front of the big hotel door carrying bags staring at it.
"So." Xander who stood beside her also carrying bags said.
"Are we going in, or what?" Dawn asked when no one seemed to open the door. She stared at Buffy and Xander who just stood there, when...
"Quickly quickly get out of the way." Spike, covered with a black blanket, ran towards the hotel, pushed them aside and ran inside.
"I guess that means we're going in." Dawn said as she walked inside the hotel. Buffy and Xander followed.
They put their bags on the floor and stared at the lobby. "It's big." Xander said.
"And wide." Buffy added.
"And they have a little bell." Dawn added with a smile.
"It's an hotel. What did you expect?" Spike seemed less than impressed. He hated being here. He only came cause Buffy asked him too and he'll do anything for her.
"So where is everyone?" Dawn asked as she walked down the stairs and towards the rounded couch.
"I think I hear something." Buffy said and walked towards the kitchen, the rest followed her.
As they entered the kitchen they couldn't believe their eyes. Angel was standing in front of the stove with another man no one recognized. He was cooking. Buffy had to look twice to make sure she was seeing it right. They also saw a green demon making a salad and a skinny girl slicing bread and the only other familiar face besides Angel was Cordelia's who sat on one of the stools laughing. Apparently Angel had vegetables in his hair. Buffy thought that must have been the reason for the general laugh.
***
The gang didn't even notice the company. They were so busy laughing as Lorne threw vegetables on Angel cause Angel called him incompetent. Suddenly Cordy felt like there was someone there, she turned back to see the Scoobies, at least part of them, Standing in the doorway staring at them in shock.
"Buffy." Cordy called out to get everyone's attention. They all stopped laughing and turned to look at the doorway.
"Buffy." Angel said in surprise. He turned off the stoves wiped his hands in a towel and turned to give her a hug. Buffy just stood there; she didn't even hug him back.
"Hungry?" Gunn asked as he ate a cucumber.
"No thank you." Dawn mumbled.
"Maybe we should go outside to the lobby where there's more room and less food in my hair." Angel showed the way and everyone followed.
As they walked Buffy could see Cordelia had a little limp and she noticed how everyone took care of her. She thought it was a bit much for a twisted ankle.
***
Gunn, Fred and Lorne stood near the counter while Angel and Cordy set on the rounded couch. The Scoobies stood around them, not really finding themselves.
"So..." Angel mumbled not sure what to say. At this point Cordy knew she had to step in before this whole thing gets even more awkward than it is.
"How was the drive here? Good?" She asked Buffy.
"Good." Buffy nodded. "And you are you? What have you been up to lately? Anything new?" Cordy smiled. **If only she knew** she thought to herself.
Buffy couldn't stop staring at Cordy. She looked so different, her hair alone. Buffy knew she was vision girl, she got that update, but still, Cordelia Chase didn't seem the same, there was something different about her. Spike who had enough, cut off her thoughts.
"So why are we here?" He asked Angel.
"I don't know. Why are YOU here?" Angel emphasized the 'you' part.
"Uh I see, you have a problem with me being here." Spike smiled his little smile; he knew Angel would have this reaction. "I thought you wanted all the help Buffy could find?"
"I meant from the good guys not soulless vampires with a chip in their brain's." To Angel's last comment Spike couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Fred asked confused.
"It's a long story." Buffy didn't feel like explaining the whole Spike-has-a-soul-thing. She was more interested in the reason for her invitation.
"I hate to quote Spike, but why are we here?" Xander was curious as much as Buffy was.
Cordy looked at Angel. That was the moment she feared the most. Now she had to tell them everything; about the baby, Groo, the demon thing, her being a higher being... She really didn't want to be the one to tell them and Fred sensed it so she took on the role.
"We're in trouble." She stared saying when all eyes turned to her. There's this warrior creature that's been hired to kill Cordy, no matter what. He's strong and has no seeable vulnerability. We need your help in research, and of course fighting." Cordy was grateful she didn't start off with the baby story, although she knew it was coming up next, Just as soon as someone asks...
"Why is he after Cordy?" Dawn asked. Fred stared at Angel and Cordy not sure how to continue. Her hesitation made the Scoobies even more curious.
"Well the thing is..." Angel was about to explain when Cordy stopped him.
"I think I should do this." She said to him.
"Are you sure?" Buffy couldn't believe her eyes; the way Angel was protecting her.
"I'm sure Angel, I should tell them."
"Tell us what?" Xander was loosing his patience. He too seemed different to Cordy. He seemed older, like he was carrying the world on his shoulders.
"I don't want you to freak out, remember it's been 3 years since you last saw me and a lot has changed." Cordy thought a little introduction was in order.
"We already know about you having visions." Buffy said to Cordy.
"Well that's nice." Cordy smiled a bitter smile. "But that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? And by the way who are they?" Xander stared at Lorne, Fred & Gunn.
"Uh sorry, how rude of me." Cordy realized the Scoobies never met them, except for Willow who wasn't here right now. "That's Gunn, Fred and Lorne." Each of them raised their hands as Cordy called their name. "They are part of our group, they are part of the AI team." Cordy said with pride.
"The AI team?" Dawn asked.
"Angel Investigation." Buffy explained. "That's Angel's detective agency, where you help the helpless, right?" Buffy smiled to Angel. "And where's Connor? I've heard so much about him and I'm dying to see that cute little baby." Buffy looked at Dawn who was dying to see the baby also.
"Okay, that's another thing we need to explain." Angel said. "But first I think Cordy better tell you why you're here." Angel cleared the stage for Cordy.
***
"Well." She took a big breath. "She stood up and then without pausing for a moment she said: "On my last birthday I chose to became part demon in order to save Angel's life. So I received some new powers that resulted in me becoming a higher being and being sent to a higher plane of existence, where I was for the last 3 months till I was sent back here after the powers discovered I was pregnant. According to them the child is very impartment to the good side of the fight and that's why we think someone wants to kill me." She took another breath, and turned to Angel. "I think that sums it up, right?" She looked at Angel waiting for him to come to her rescue.
"Yeah, except for the father issue." He said.
"Father issue?" Cordy asked confused.
"He means your baby's father." Dawn's explanation made Cordy turn around again and face the shocked faces of the Scoobies, except for Spike who couldn't help himself and started to laugh out loud.
"God." He said while laughing. "This bloody story couldn't have been any better, unless of course you would have said that in some miraculous way the father was Angel face." Spike held his stomach and kept laughing.
"Spike! That's enough." Buffy who found the entire situation, nothing but funny, snapped at him. He stopped laughing but his smile was still on. "So you're pregnant now?" Buffy wanted to make sure she understood it all.
"Haa." Cordy nodded. "3 months actually." She added.
"And you're a demon?" Xander asked a bit confused, a bit scared.
"Part demon yeah, but I didn't grow a tail or horns if that's what you think." Cordy smiled she knew that's exactly what he thought.
"No of course not." Xander smiled, hoping no one will notice that's exactly what he thought.
"And you were a higher being?" Dawn asked not sure she said it right.
"Yeah, for 3 months, at least."
"So you were pregnant when they sent you to that... what did you call it?" Buffy didn't remember the name.
"Higher plane of existences. And yes I was." Cordy answered. "I was just a few days pregnant than. I guess they didn't sense it, not then at least."
"So who's and where's the father?" Xander asked again the unanswered question.
"His name is Groosalug. He's a warrior from Lorne's home dimension- Pylea." Cordy explained.
"Excuse me." Xander cut her off. "Who's Lorne again?"
"That would be me." Lorne stepped up and introduced himself. He reached out and shook Xander's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too." Xander wasn't even sure if that was even true.
"If he's from another dimension how did he get here?" Dawn tried to keep up.
"Well it's a long story, but the simple version is, that a year an half ago I had a vision about Fred." Fred raised her hand so everyone would know whom Cordy meant. "And that vision ended up sending all of us to Pylea, where we found and rescued Fred." Fred smiled. "And where I met and fell in love with Groo." Cordy smiled thinking of Groo; she could see Angel on the side staring her, with his broody stare.
"Groo?" Dawn again asked.
"It's short for Groosalug." Cordy explained. "Anyway, a few months after we came back to L.A. Groo came here looking for me. He finished his duties in Pylea and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me."
"So what happened?" asked Xander. "I'm imaging something happened right?"
"Yeah. We broke up and he went back to Pylea. That was 3 months ago."
"Just when you became a higher being." Dawn said with a smile when she finally put all the pieces together.
"And right about the time when you got knocked up, right?" Spike smiled.
"Well I wouldn't have used that word exactly, but yeah." Cordy answered.
***
"Does he even know?" Buffy asked. "I mean Groo?"
"No he doesn't, and it stays like this. He's out of the picture." Cordy said firmly.
"Yeah, but if that's his child, he should know, I think he'd want to know. I would." Xander said.
"Look." Cordy lost her patience; she had enough with all the questions and criticism. "I'm grateful that you came all this way to help me..." She looked at the AI team. "Help us. And you deserve to know why you're here, that's why I told you everything and answered all of your question. But my life, is my life, And my choices are just that, mine. So I would prefer if you don't criticize my decision or me. Okay?" She looked at the Scoobies, who didn't say much.
"I'm sorry if you're offended or annoyed by our questions." Buffy said. "But you dropped a bomb in our lap. And it caught us off guard. So excuse us if we seem petty and nosy, but I think we're entitled."
"Sure whatever Buffy. You're always entitled, aren't you?" Cordy hated her high and mighty approach. Now they were equal. They both loved and at least one of them still loves Angel. They both had him for a while. They both have power, which they use to help others. They both have friends who love them and protected them. She wasn't Queen C any more and she didn't feel less than anyone, especially Buffy. And she wasn't about to let Buffy let her feel like she was.
"What that's supposed to mean?" Buffy asked angrily.
"Nothing." She sighed. "I'm tired I'm going to lay down. Angel and the gang can answer the rest of your questions. They know everything." Cordy looked at the gang who smiled letting her know they'll take care of it.
"Come on I'll help you upstairs." Angel said.
"No that's okay, I can handle it." Cordy didn't want Buffy to have even more things to throw back at her.
"No you can't. Don't argue." He moved closer to her and placed her arm around his neck so he supported her. As they walked up the stairs Buffy felt a pinch in her heart, actually it was more like a sword had been driven through it.
***
"Are you okay? That was pretty brutal out there." Angel who sat by the side of the bed asked. He took her hand and held it.
"I expected that reaction, nothing less from the beloved Scoobies. Imagine Willow's reaction if she was here." Cordy smiled a bitter smile.
"So why did you snap at Buffy?" Angel didn't get it. If she expected it than why did she lash out on Xander and Buffy?
"I just had enough. I hated sitting there been criticized by people who don't even know me, who never really did." She sat up. "I felt like I was back in Sunnydale high and I was criticized by Buffy and her beloved pack once again. Only this time I don't have my bitch shield on."
"Your what?" Angel asked confused.
"We both know that three years ago and some I was a self absorbed person, who cared for no one but myself." Angel nodded for agreement. "But I was never a bitch, I mean not really, not deep down. I only acted like that cause I realized very early in life that it intimidated people, and gave me power. But when I met you, here, and got the visions and all of this, I knew I didn't need that shield. Not any more. I was able to be Cordy, the real Cordy who actually cares for others and who hated been such a bitch."
"I see. So Buffy brought all that out?"
"You know she does have a tendency to do that." Cordy said.
"Okay. I think I'll let you rest for a while. And I'll bring up your breakfast. You never got a chance to eat it." He got up and walked to the door.
"So you're avoiding talking to me about Buffy?" Cordy knew exactly why he suddenly felt the urge to let her 'rest'.
"That's right?" He smiled and walked out closing the door behind him.
TBC
Hi ppl,
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I was so busy, actually still am. I'll stay busy at least till July 21th, so please be patience. I'll try and update before that, but I can't promise anything.
I wanted to thank you for your great reviews. Every day I get a new from someone who just discovered my story and loved it. So on that note I hope you'll like this one, god knows you wanted long enough for it. As usual I can't wait to hear what you think, so please review, it means so much to me.
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.
***
"Good morning." She greeted the gathered crowd as they all sat in the kitchen. She couldn't help but laugh. In front of the stove stood Angel & Gunn. It seemed like Angel was attempting to teach Gunn how to make an omelet. Gunn kept complaining saying he knows how to make eggs, and Angel kept correcting him by saying, that an omelet is not merely an egg, it's a work of art. On the side she saw Lorne trying to cut vegetables, apparently for a salad. He kept calling for Angel saying the knife was attacking him. And sitting on the stool slicing bread with a huge smile on her face was Fred. She seemed pleased with herself. Cordy looked around looking for Wesley, but he was nowhere in sight. **Must have gone home last night** she thought to herself.
"Good morning princess." Lorne looked up from the vegetables with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"Like a baby." She replied with a smiled. "What is all of this? Making breakfast I presume?" She sat next to Fred.
"I thought it be nice to make breakfast for the new mom." Gunn took all the credit.
"You thought???" Angel, Fred and Lorne chorused together in surprise.
"I believe, that right belongs to me." Lorne bragged.
"But I suggested the famous omelet." Angel said quickly with a grin on his face.
"Please, give me a break." Fred waved her hand in protest. "I think you know who was the real mind behind this wonderful plan." Fred said with pride.
"You did all of this for me?" Cordy felt a bit embarrassed. "You guys." She smiled looking at her friends. At that moment she knew why she always referred to them as her family. "Can I help?" She was about to get up, when Fred grabbed her arm and told her to sit down.
"You sit, let your leg rest." Angel said as he asked Fred for the bread. "How is your leg by the way?"
"Good. I hardly limped today. I think it's getting better."
"I still think we should take you to a doctor." Angel knew her injury wasn't serious but he wasn't about to take any chances.
"And we will, but not the one you think." Angel looked at her confused.
"A gynecologist silly. A doctor should check out the baby and me. It's not like they had any doctors on the higher plane." She smiled.
And Then it hit him **she never saw a doctor. What if she's in danger? What if she needs medical attention?** Thoughts clouded his mind when all of the sudden he dropped everything turned to Cordy grabbed her hand and ordered. "Lets go."
"Hey, wait up, not so fast." Cordy stopped him.
"Why wait? You're right you haven't seen a doctor and you should, so lets go." He pulled her arm, but she didn't move.
"Angel?" She smiled at him. "It's not that simple; first thing I need to make an appointment, I can't just show up and say to the doctor: hey check me out." She laughed at her little joke.
"Okay so lets get..."
"And secondly." She interrupted Angel before he had a chance to protest. "It's daytime so you and I are not going anywhere for the next few hours."
"Uh, right." He smiled a little smile let go of her arm and turned back to the cooking.
***
"So..." She stood in front of the big hotel door carrying bags staring at it.
"So." Xander who stood beside her also carrying bags said.
"Are we going in, or what?" Dawn asked when no one seemed to open the door. She stared at Buffy and Xander who just stood there, when...
"Quickly quickly get out of the way." Spike, covered with a black blanket, ran towards the hotel, pushed them aside and ran inside.
"I guess that means we're going in." Dawn said as she walked inside the hotel. Buffy and Xander followed.
They put their bags on the floor and stared at the lobby. "It's big." Xander said.
"And wide." Buffy added.
"And they have a little bell." Dawn added with a smile.
"It's an hotel. What did you expect?" Spike seemed less than impressed. He hated being here. He only came cause Buffy asked him too and he'll do anything for her.
"So where is everyone?" Dawn asked as she walked down the stairs and towards the rounded couch.
"I think I hear something." Buffy said and walked towards the kitchen, the rest followed her.
As they entered the kitchen they couldn't believe their eyes. Angel was standing in front of the stove with another man no one recognized. He was cooking. Buffy had to look twice to make sure she was seeing it right. They also saw a green demon making a salad and a skinny girl slicing bread and the only other familiar face besides Angel was Cordelia's who sat on one of the stools laughing. Apparently Angel had vegetables in his hair. Buffy thought that must have been the reason for the general laugh.
***
The gang didn't even notice the company. They were so busy laughing as Lorne threw vegetables on Angel cause Angel called him incompetent. Suddenly Cordy felt like there was someone there, she turned back to see the Scoobies, at least part of them, Standing in the doorway staring at them in shock.
"Buffy." Cordy called out to get everyone's attention. They all stopped laughing and turned to look at the doorway.
"Buffy." Angel said in surprise. He turned off the stoves wiped his hands in a towel and turned to give her a hug. Buffy just stood there; she didn't even hug him back.
"Hungry?" Gunn asked as he ate a cucumber.
"No thank you." Dawn mumbled.
"Maybe we should go outside to the lobby where there's more room and less food in my hair." Angel showed the way and everyone followed.
As they walked Buffy could see Cordelia had a little limp and she noticed how everyone took care of her. She thought it was a bit much for a twisted ankle.
***
Gunn, Fred and Lorne stood near the counter while Angel and Cordy set on the rounded couch. The Scoobies stood around them, not really finding themselves.
"So..." Angel mumbled not sure what to say. At this point Cordy knew she had to step in before this whole thing gets even more awkward than it is.
"How was the drive here? Good?" She asked Buffy.
"Good." Buffy nodded. "And you are you? What have you been up to lately? Anything new?" Cordy smiled. **If only she knew** she thought to herself.
Buffy couldn't stop staring at Cordy. She looked so different, her hair alone. Buffy knew she was vision girl, she got that update, but still, Cordelia Chase didn't seem the same, there was something different about her. Spike who had enough, cut off her thoughts.
"So why are we here?" He asked Angel.
"I don't know. Why are YOU here?" Angel emphasized the 'you' part.
"Uh I see, you have a problem with me being here." Spike smiled his little smile; he knew Angel would have this reaction. "I thought you wanted all the help Buffy could find?"
"I meant from the good guys not soulless vampires with a chip in their brain's." To Angel's last comment Spike couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Fred asked confused.
"It's a long story." Buffy didn't feel like explaining the whole Spike-has-a-soul-thing. She was more interested in the reason for her invitation.
"I hate to quote Spike, but why are we here?" Xander was curious as much as Buffy was.
Cordy looked at Angel. That was the moment she feared the most. Now she had to tell them everything; about the baby, Groo, the demon thing, her being a higher being... She really didn't want to be the one to tell them and Fred sensed it so she took on the role.
"We're in trouble." She stared saying when all eyes turned to her. There's this warrior creature that's been hired to kill Cordy, no matter what. He's strong and has no seeable vulnerability. We need your help in research, and of course fighting." Cordy was grateful she didn't start off with the baby story, although she knew it was coming up next, Just as soon as someone asks...
"Why is he after Cordy?" Dawn asked. Fred stared at Angel and Cordy not sure how to continue. Her hesitation made the Scoobies even more curious.
"Well the thing is..." Angel was about to explain when Cordy stopped him.
"I think I should do this." She said to him.
"Are you sure?" Buffy couldn't believe her eyes; the way Angel was protecting her.
"I'm sure Angel, I should tell them."
"Tell us what?" Xander was loosing his patience. He too seemed different to Cordy. He seemed older, like he was carrying the world on his shoulders.
"I don't want you to freak out, remember it's been 3 years since you last saw me and a lot has changed." Cordy thought a little introduction was in order.
"We already know about you having visions." Buffy said to Cordy.
"Well that's nice." Cordy smiled a bitter smile. "But that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean? And by the way who are they?" Xander stared at Lorne, Fred & Gunn.
"Uh sorry, how rude of me." Cordy realized the Scoobies never met them, except for Willow who wasn't here right now. "That's Gunn, Fred and Lorne." Each of them raised their hands as Cordy called their name. "They are part of our group, they are part of the AI team." Cordy said with pride.
"The AI team?" Dawn asked.
"Angel Investigation." Buffy explained. "That's Angel's detective agency, where you help the helpless, right?" Buffy smiled to Angel. "And where's Connor? I've heard so much about him and I'm dying to see that cute little baby." Buffy looked at Dawn who was dying to see the baby also.
"Okay, that's another thing we need to explain." Angel said. "But first I think Cordy better tell you why you're here." Angel cleared the stage for Cordy.
***
"Well." She took a big breath. "She stood up and then without pausing for a moment she said: "On my last birthday I chose to became part demon in order to save Angel's life. So I received some new powers that resulted in me becoming a higher being and being sent to a higher plane of existence, where I was for the last 3 months till I was sent back here after the powers discovered I was pregnant. According to them the child is very impartment to the good side of the fight and that's why we think someone wants to kill me." She took another breath, and turned to Angel. "I think that sums it up, right?" She looked at Angel waiting for him to come to her rescue.
"Yeah, except for the father issue." He said.
"Father issue?" Cordy asked confused.
"He means your baby's father." Dawn's explanation made Cordy turn around again and face the shocked faces of the Scoobies, except for Spike who couldn't help himself and started to laugh out loud.
"God." He said while laughing. "This bloody story couldn't have been any better, unless of course you would have said that in some miraculous way the father was Angel face." Spike held his stomach and kept laughing.
"Spike! That's enough." Buffy who found the entire situation, nothing but funny, snapped at him. He stopped laughing but his smile was still on. "So you're pregnant now?" Buffy wanted to make sure she understood it all.
"Haa." Cordy nodded. "3 months actually." She added.
"And you're a demon?" Xander asked a bit confused, a bit scared.
"Part demon yeah, but I didn't grow a tail or horns if that's what you think." Cordy smiled she knew that's exactly what he thought.
"No of course not." Xander smiled, hoping no one will notice that's exactly what he thought.
"And you were a higher being?" Dawn asked not sure she said it right.
"Yeah, for 3 months, at least."
"So you were pregnant when they sent you to that... what did you call it?" Buffy didn't remember the name.
"Higher plane of existences. And yes I was." Cordy answered. "I was just a few days pregnant than. I guess they didn't sense it, not then at least."
"So who's and where's the father?" Xander asked again the unanswered question.
"His name is Groosalug. He's a warrior from Lorne's home dimension- Pylea." Cordy explained.
"Excuse me." Xander cut her off. "Who's Lorne again?"
"That would be me." Lorne stepped up and introduced himself. He reached out and shook Xander's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too." Xander wasn't even sure if that was even true.
"If he's from another dimension how did he get here?" Dawn tried to keep up.
"Well it's a long story, but the simple version is, that a year an half ago I had a vision about Fred." Fred raised her hand so everyone would know whom Cordy meant. "And that vision ended up sending all of us to Pylea, where we found and rescued Fred." Fred smiled. "And where I met and fell in love with Groo." Cordy smiled thinking of Groo; she could see Angel on the side staring her, with his broody stare.
"Groo?" Dawn again asked.
"It's short for Groosalug." Cordy explained. "Anyway, a few months after we came back to L.A. Groo came here looking for me. He finished his duties in Pylea and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me."
"So what happened?" asked Xander. "I'm imaging something happened right?"
"Yeah. We broke up and he went back to Pylea. That was 3 months ago."
"Just when you became a higher being." Dawn said with a smile when she finally put all the pieces together.
"And right about the time when you got knocked up, right?" Spike smiled.
"Well I wouldn't have used that word exactly, but yeah." Cordy answered.
***
"Does he even know?" Buffy asked. "I mean Groo?"
"No he doesn't, and it stays like this. He's out of the picture." Cordy said firmly.
"Yeah, but if that's his child, he should know, I think he'd want to know. I would." Xander said.
"Look." Cordy lost her patience; she had enough with all the questions and criticism. "I'm grateful that you came all this way to help me..." She looked at the AI team. "Help us. And you deserve to know why you're here, that's why I told you everything and answered all of your question. But my life, is my life, And my choices are just that, mine. So I would prefer if you don't criticize my decision or me. Okay?" She looked at the Scoobies, who didn't say much.
"I'm sorry if you're offended or annoyed by our questions." Buffy said. "But you dropped a bomb in our lap. And it caught us off guard. So excuse us if we seem petty and nosy, but I think we're entitled."
"Sure whatever Buffy. You're always entitled, aren't you?" Cordy hated her high and mighty approach. Now they were equal. They both loved and at least one of them still loves Angel. They both had him for a while. They both have power, which they use to help others. They both have friends who love them and protected them. She wasn't Queen C any more and she didn't feel less than anyone, especially Buffy. And she wasn't about to let Buffy let her feel like she was.
"What that's supposed to mean?" Buffy asked angrily.
"Nothing." She sighed. "I'm tired I'm going to lay down. Angel and the gang can answer the rest of your questions. They know everything." Cordy looked at the gang who smiled letting her know they'll take care of it.
"Come on I'll help you upstairs." Angel said.
"No that's okay, I can handle it." Cordy didn't want Buffy to have even more things to throw back at her.
"No you can't. Don't argue." He moved closer to her and placed her arm around his neck so he supported her. As they walked up the stairs Buffy felt a pinch in her heart, actually it was more like a sword had been driven through it.
***
"Are you okay? That was pretty brutal out there." Angel who sat by the side of the bed asked. He took her hand and held it.
"I expected that reaction, nothing less from the beloved Scoobies. Imagine Willow's reaction if she was here." Cordy smiled a bitter smile.
"So why did you snap at Buffy?" Angel didn't get it. If she expected it than why did she lash out on Xander and Buffy?
"I just had enough. I hated sitting there been criticized by people who don't even know me, who never really did." She sat up. "I felt like I was back in Sunnydale high and I was criticized by Buffy and her beloved pack once again. Only this time I don't have my bitch shield on."
"Your what?" Angel asked confused.
"We both know that three years ago and some I was a self absorbed person, who cared for no one but myself." Angel nodded for agreement. "But I was never a bitch, I mean not really, not deep down. I only acted like that cause I realized very early in life that it intimidated people, and gave me power. But when I met you, here, and got the visions and all of this, I knew I didn't need that shield. Not any more. I was able to be Cordy, the real Cordy who actually cares for others and who hated been such a bitch."
"I see. So Buffy brought all that out?"
"You know she does have a tendency to do that." Cordy said.
"Okay. I think I'll let you rest for a while. And I'll bring up your breakfast. You never got a chance to eat it." He got up and walked to the door.
"So you're avoiding talking to me about Buffy?" Cordy knew exactly why he suddenly felt the urge to let her 'rest'.
"That's right?" He smiled and walked out closing the door behind him.
TBC
Hi ppl,
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I was so busy, actually still am. I'll stay busy at least till July 21th, so please be patience. I'll try and update before that, but I can't promise anything.
I wanted to thank you for your great reviews. Every day I get a new from someone who just discovered my story and loved it. So on that note I hope you'll like this one, god knows you wanted long enough for it. As usual I can't wait to hear what you think, so please review, it means so much to me.
Thanks, Nikka.