Chapter 9: Girls day out.
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 than 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 campers. Sleep well?" Lorne greeted Xander and Dawn as they came down the stairs.
"It was great." Dawn was exited. "I think I got the biggest room the bed was huge."
"I thought you might like it." Fred said with a smile.
"Where's Buffy?" Gunn inquired.
"She'll be right down. We're going out for breakfast wanna come?" Fred offered before Xander could stop her.
"Dawn maybe Buffy you should ask Buffy before..."
"She wouldn't mind." Dawn brushed him off. "So, what do you say?" She looked at Fred and Gunn awaiting her answer. She really liked them from the get go. Especially Fred. For once she liked the idea of seeing two people who work together and date and not have it end in catastrophe, which was Sunnydale's former and current residents
"Sorry, already eaten." Gunn replied.
"So soon?" Xander looked at his watch it was little after 9:00.
"Oh yeah, those two love birds have this thing where they sneak off every morning, real early, and have breakfast together." Lorne smiled. "Isn't love grand?"
"We can recommend a good spot." Fred offered ignoring Lorne's little teasing.
"That's okay, there's this dinner that Buffy and I use to go to for breakfast with my dad when we came for the summer. So we'll try to see if it's still there." Dawn explained.
"Uh, your father lives here in L.A.?" Lorne inquired.
"Yeah sort of." Dawn replied. When she saw the confused faces she elaborated. "He travels a lot, due to business, so you can rarely find him in L.A."
"Is he...?"
"Hong Kong on business; should be back in 3-4 weeks." Dawn already knew the question. There was something sad about the way she said it. She seemed okay with that, too okay for Fred's likening. Fred thoughts were interrupted By Cordy who came slowly down the stairs with a big yet suspicious smile on her face. **Weird** Fred thought to herself, after all she didn't have a lot to smile about. Not after last night anyway.
"Here, let me help you." Xander turned and stared walking towards the stairs.
"That's okay, I got it." Cordy stopped him half way through.
"Hi Dawnie." Cordelia greeted her.
"Hi." Dawn replied.
"I was thinking, maybe we can go shopping today. There's this new shop that was opened while I was away and I really wanted to check it out. What do you say?"
"Sure I'd..."
"No way." Gunn cut her off. "Angel will never let you go out on your own, not now."
"Well then, it's a good thing I don't need Angel's permission to do what I want."
"But..."
"If Angel wants, he can tag along." Cordy said knowing that wasn't an option.
"Come where?" She turned to see Angel coming out of his office.
"Did you sleep in there?" Lorne wondered out loud.
"No." Angel replied. "Go where?" He repeated the question.
"I'm taking Dawn out to do some shopping and Gunn thought you might want to come along. You know, for protection." She explained with a smirk.
"Very funny Cordelia, but you're not going anywhere." Angel didn't seem amused.
"You can't tell me what to do Angel. I'm a grown woman."
"Then start acting like one."
"Why you little arrogant popes ass. You think just because I work for you, you control my life?" Cordy let out a little pff. "As if."
"Can I see you in my office, please?" He said to her trying to control his temper.
"No, I'm busy." She crossed her arms.
He leaned his body forward and whispered to her: "Walking there is an option." He pulled back and smiled. A few moments later she marched into his office. He followed her and closed the door behind him.
***
"Who the hell do you think you are?" She snapped at him. "Giving me orders, treating me like a child. Embarrassing me in front of my friends."
"A. Your friend and boss. B. Those so-called-orders are for your own safety. And C. your friends saw us in worse fights. And as for the rest, since when do you care what they think of you?" He paused for a moment. She leaned on the desk. "Now can we just talk?"
"Talk." She replied coldly.
"We never did clarify our situation. I mean things happened so rapidly we didn't get a chance to."
"What situation Angel? us leaving under the same roof, don't worry I'm working on it."
"What? No. I don't want you to move out. God Cordelia you're impossible."
"I'm impossible?" She said surprised.
"We kissed." He raised his voice and took a step forward. "We confessed our love to one another and then..."
"You kissed your old girlfriend." Cordy finished the sentence.
"No that's not what I meant."
"But it's what you did." She sighed. "Look Angel, I have another person to consider now. I can't afford to start something with you that we can't finish. It would hurt too many people."
"That's cold calculation. Does love has no standing here?"
"Don't you throw this on me. Love has everything to do with it, like your love for Buffy. It's never over between you two. The minute you think to yourself oh well it's done now, finished, water under the bridge and all that, she shows up and it starts all over again.
"It's not like that." He said knowing it didn't sound all that convincing. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, he wanted to say it and believe it, but lat night just proofed otherwise. It's always the same thing with him and Buffy that's why they avoided meeting each other for so long.
"You know what angel? I can't do that. I won't be all Xander Harris and stay on the sideline watching the game. I won't be part of this twisted love triangle."
"No one asked you to." Angel defended himself.
"You have." She stood up and past him walking towards the door. Her back facing him
"I meant what I said that night on the bench." He said.
"It doesn't matter now. We're just friends, remember? Let's try acting like ones."
"Cordy." He reached out and grabbed her arm. "I know you're angry with me, but there's no reason for you to risk your life. Don't go shopping today, at least not alone. Take Buffy or Gunn with you. Both would be better." He stopped waiting for her reply.
"Okay." He was still holding on to her arm. "Is that all?" She said coldly.
"Yeah." He said and let go of her arm. And with that she walked out.
***
"So are we going shopping?" Dawn asked eagerly as Cordy walked out of the office. She could see Buffy was already there.
"I don't think so Dawnie. As much as I hate to admit it, Angel is right, I can't wonder of in the city." Cordy hated disappointing her, she really liked Dawn and she knew Dawn felt the same.
"So what's the problem?" Dawn smiled and turned to Buffy. "Buffy? You said you wanted to do some shopping after breakfast, if we have the time, right?" Yeah but..." Buffy knew where this was going.
"So why not Cordy joins us? Dawn cut her off. "It could be great, a girls day out. What do you say?" She looked at Cordy and Her sister who both seemed reluctant to the idea.
"Dawn I'm sure cordy has better things to do than hang out with us all day." Buffy replied. The way she said it annoyed Cordy. It was almost like she was mocking her. She wasn't about to let her have that pleasure.
"Actually you know what, Dawn?" Cordy said with a smirk. "I'd love to join you. And if you don't mind we can ask Fred to come as well after all she is a girl." Cordy smiled as she saw the look on Buffy's face. She hated the idea and that made Cordy smile on.
"Uh I don't want to intrude." Actually Fred didn't want to be caught between the two former cheerleaders for the rest of the day.
"No, it's cool." Dawn smiled and Fred smiled a half smile in return and turned to look at Gunn with a please-for-the-love-of-god-and-me-save-me!
Gunn got the message. "Fred? Honey? didn't we say we have to see that guy about that thing today?"
"Yeah we did." She smiled in relief. "I'm sorry Dawn, maybe some other time I..."
"I'm sure whatever it is it can wait till later." Cordy who knew what those two were up to, steeped in. "Right Gunn?" Cordy gave him the do-as-I-say-or-you're-a-dead-man-walking-look.
Gunn in despair looked at Cordy and then at his girl and then at Cordy and knew it was a no win situation. So after thinking whom of the two women he feared most he turned to Cordy and nodded. "Yeah it can wait till later." From the side he saw Fred was infuriated with him.
"This is going to be great." Dawn said excitedly as she stared at her three companions. "Or maybe I just have to hope we'll make it through the day." She whispered to Lorne.
"So wise in such an early age." He replied with a smile.
"Okay, lets go I'm starving." Dawn said and headed for the door.
"Oh." Fred jumped in joy. "I've already eaten, so maybe you three go ahead and I'll join you..."
"No you're not." Cordy grabbed her arm and dragged her away. "We're in this together.
***
The day past by pretty smoothly, Fred reluctantly went to breakfast. She really wanted to say no, but Cordy didn't let her. Soon enough they were trying out cloths, and Fred had no idea how she was talked into trying this red skirt, which wasn't really her. For most of the time Buffy and Cordy didn't speak, the tension between the two was obvious. Cordy tried toning it down a bit, not wanting to spoil the mode and day for Dawn, who really seemed to enjoy it, despite everything that was going on around her. It wasn't that Dawn wasn't aware of the situation; it's more that she decided to have fun no matter what.
When they finally rested in a coffee shop, Fred was exhausted. Shopping with Cordy was a challenge of it's own, but Shopping with Cordy, Buffy and Dawn was mission impossible. Those girls liked shopping. She figured since she spent five years of her life wearing the same rag day in and day out, cloths didn't seem to play such a big role for her. As long as they fitted and looked normal it was good enough for her.
"So...I think we had a very productive and fun, fun day, I really enjoyed it." Fred smiled a big fake smile, hoping they'll get the message and head back to the hotel.
"But we're not finished yet. It's barely 13:00, and I still haven't found a pair of shows. And I really wanted new shows." Dawn grumbled.
"That's okay." Cordy assured her they were not leaving till she finds the shows she wanted. That made Dawn smile and Fred frown. "I need to use the little girls room." She said as she got up. "Anyone else?"
"Actually, I need to." Buffy said and got up as well.
"Anyone else?" Cordy looked desperately at Fred hoping she'll get the message and get up. The last thing Cordy wanted was to be alone with Buffy even if it was just five minutes.
Fred smiled; she got the message but thought this was a good time for a little revenge. "I'm good." She said as she smirked at Cordy.
"Great." Cordy mumbled and turned to go towards the bathroom when suddenly she felt this strange feeling, the room started to spin. She grabbed on to the table for support.
"Are you okay?" Buffy who stood beside asked worriedly as she placed her arm on her back to give it support.
"Cor? Fred asked worriedly. "Maybe we should go home, you look tired?"
"I'm fine." Cordy stood up and let go of the table. "I just stood up to fast. I keep forgetting I'm not so carefree these days." She smiled although she was a bit concerned. She still hasn't been to see a doctor and she was at least 3 months pregnant. She knew she couldn't continue her life as usual; she'll have to make some adjustments, but not today. Today was fun day.
"Maybe if you wash up you'll feel better?" Buffy offered and Cordy nodded and headed for the bathroom. Buffy walked behind her making sure she was alright.
***
"Are you sure you're fine?"" Buffy asked when they were alone in the bathroom.
"Yeah," Cordy splashed water on her face. "I feel so embarrassed."
"Don't be." Buffy said. "I never thought I'd see the day that Queen C will be pregnant." Buffy chuckled.
"Is it the idea of me as a mom that amuses you? Or the fact that I can actually care enough about someone else to carry him around for nine months." Cordy said in a snappy tune.
"No, that's not what I meant." Buffy said defensively. "It's just weird, you know?"
"No I don't know, Buffy." Cordy attacked again. "I've changed, is it that hard for you to accept? Spike can change, so can Willow and everyone else, except me, is that it? Or maybe it's about Angel as always?"
"What are you talking about?" Buffy's tune changed. "If you have something to say, just say it."
"You had to pull him back in, you just couldn't let him live his own life." Cordy said angrily. "It kills you to see that he's happy and content, surrounded by friends who love him and care for him. You just want him to be around you no matter if it makes him lonely and sad, as long as you get your way."
"Where the hell do you come off judging my relationship with Angel?" Buffy raised her voice. "You think just cause you shared a kiss or two it makes you soul mates." Buffy chuckled. "It takes more than a few pompons to win his heart and soul."
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a reply. You really don't know anything about me or Angel."
"I know enough to know he's no as happy as you say he is. How can he be, with a friend, who you say love and cares for him, who kidnapped his son, and a son who tried killing him. And lets not forget the icing on the cake, the woman you claim he loves impregnated by her ex. How pathetic?" And before Buffy knew what hit her Cordy raised her hand and slapped her.
Oh god." Cordy pulled back shocked when she realized what she did.
"I think we should call it a day." Buffy said and turned towards the doorway
"Buffy wait." Cordy stopped her. "I didn't mean to hit you, but the things you said were..."
"What? Not true?" Buffy turned to face her.
"No. True, but the way you said it. It didn't happen like that. We all had our reasons to do what we did, even Connor. As weird as it may sound."
"I know." Buffy closed the bathroom door. "I shouldn't have said it, not like that. I was angry." She paused for a moment. "I don't know what's going to happen between Angel and I, but if there's still something there, even the slightest thing. We owe it to ourselves to give it a try. He's a part of me and I think I'm a part of him, and that's never going to change."
"Why are you telling me this?" Cordelia's voice was cracking.
"Cause you deserve to know. I'm not giving him up." Buffy said calmly. Cordy didn't say anything she just turned to look at the mirror, checking her makeup. "About the rest of the day..."
"I can go on if you can." Cordy replied while putting on lipstick.
"Great, then it's settled." Buffy replied and walked out.
"For now." Cordy said quietly, "for now."
"So are we ready to go?" dawn asked Cordy as she joined them. "Cordelia?" She asked again when she got no reply. Cordy had a strange expression on her face almost like she was daydreaming.
"Cor?" Fred called her name.
"Yeah Sorry." She snapped back.
"What happened?" Fred asked concerned.
"I had a vision." She replied. "We need to go back to the hotel. Sorry Dawnie."
***
"Run it by me again." Angel said as he Gunn and Fred pulled weapons form the chest.
"A girl, sitting in the middle of a circle surrounded by a bunch of people wearing robes. She was tied up and looked scared as hell. They're in a warehouse at this address." She handed Angel the note.
"Gunn you bring the care to the back I'll join you there." Angel ordered.
"Wait what about us?" Buffy asked.
"What about you?" Angel didn't understand.
"How can we help?"
"Stay here, watch Cordy." Angel said and turned to walk away.
"Wait1 Angel we can't just stay here while you fight god knows what." Buffy grabbed his arm forcing him to stop and turn.
"Yes you can, that's why I asked you here. I can deal with the everyday demons but I need someone to watch over Cordy while I do that. That's where you fit in."
"Angel I don't think..."
"Buffy I don't have time for this. Just do it." He said and left.
"Great, we get to baby-sit." Buffy grumbled.
"No one asked you to." Cordy said when she heard Buffy's little remark.
"Apparently someone did. Otherwise I'd be back home in Sunnydale fighting evil.
***
About an hour later they were back covered in green stuff that meant that those people in robs Cordy saw in her vision weren't people at all.
"Demons?" She greeted the three tired warriors.
"Demons." Fred said as she crashed on the rounded couch. Guinn fell beside her.
Angel looked around the lobby to see it was empty. "Where is everyone?"
"Lorne's out doing a reading, Dawn is upstairs watching TV."
"In my room?" Gunn said in protest.
"Yeah, it's not like he rest of us have a TV in our rooms. And as I recall this was my TV till you took it."
"Just maintenance rill you come back." Gunn smiled.
"Buffy?" Angel asked as he combed the lobby with his eyes.
"Down stairs lover-boy, training with Spike." Cordy snapped at him.
I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted to make sure you weren't here alone." Angel found himself explaining himself to Cordy.
"Whatever." She brushed him off. "So the job is done?"
"Well actually we found..."
"Yes it is." Angel stooped Fred half way through.
"It is?" Fred looked at Angel confused. He looked at her in his penetrating eyes and she got the hint. "It is." She nodded at sat down again.
"It didn't sound like it from the way you got all excited." Cordy asked Fred.
"It's nothing you know me I get excited about every little thing." Fred smiled hoping she lied well enough. He didn't.
"Yeah I know you. I know you well enough to know you can't lie, especially to me. So who's going to tell me what happened?" Cordy looked at the three who suddenly all found the floor extremely interesting. "Well?" She was tapping her feet while crossing her arms. Her patience was slim to none.
"They were in the middle of a ceremony." Angel said.
"So? We've seen the crazy demons who worship some other Ober demon before, nothing new there."
"Only they weren't worshiping exactly." Gunn started explaining but stopped half way through.
"They were sacrificing. It was a sacrificial ceremony. They were praying for salvation, I think." Fred continued where Gunn stopped.
"You guys this is not twenty question, tell me already." Now she was annoyed.
"They were begging for their lives." She turned to see Wesley in the doorway. "Something is coming, something big and they're scared."
"Where did you come form?" Cordy asked surprised.
"I called him and asked hi to join us." Angel answered.
"I'm still...." And then it hit her, that thing that was coming it has something to do with my baby, right?" She looked at Wesley waiting for an answer.
"I believe it's more than one demon, I think it's a high council of some sort." Wesley replied.
"The same council that combined forces with various demons to hired the assassin?" She remembered what Gavin told them.
"I believe so, but I'll have to run it by a few sources of mine." Wesley said.
"Are you okay?" Angel wasn't sure how she'd take the news.
"Actually I'm relieved. " When she saw the confuse faces she explained. "At least now this thing is coming here, to my turf where we can fight back. Till now he was out of reach, but no more. Now it's time we strike back." Angel smiled, he loved her willingness to fight, never run, and never hide, always straight ahead.
"Let the games begin." Gunn said with a smile.
***
TBC
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 than 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 campers. Sleep well?" Lorne greeted Xander and Dawn as they came down the stairs.
"It was great." Dawn was exited. "I think I got the biggest room the bed was huge."
"I thought you might like it." Fred said with a smile.
"Where's Buffy?" Gunn inquired.
"She'll be right down. We're going out for breakfast wanna come?" Fred offered before Xander could stop her.
"Dawn maybe Buffy you should ask Buffy before..."
"She wouldn't mind." Dawn brushed him off. "So, what do you say?" She looked at Fred and Gunn awaiting her answer. She really liked them from the get go. Especially Fred. For once she liked the idea of seeing two people who work together and date and not have it end in catastrophe, which was Sunnydale's former and current residents
"Sorry, already eaten." Gunn replied.
"So soon?" Xander looked at his watch it was little after 9:00.
"Oh yeah, those two love birds have this thing where they sneak off every morning, real early, and have breakfast together." Lorne smiled. "Isn't love grand?"
"We can recommend a good spot." Fred offered ignoring Lorne's little teasing.
"That's okay, there's this dinner that Buffy and I use to go to for breakfast with my dad when we came for the summer. So we'll try to see if it's still there." Dawn explained.
"Uh, your father lives here in L.A.?" Lorne inquired.
"Yeah sort of." Dawn replied. When she saw the confused faces she elaborated. "He travels a lot, due to business, so you can rarely find him in L.A."
"Is he...?"
"Hong Kong on business; should be back in 3-4 weeks." Dawn already knew the question. There was something sad about the way she said it. She seemed okay with that, too okay for Fred's likening. Fred thoughts were interrupted By Cordy who came slowly down the stairs with a big yet suspicious smile on her face. **Weird** Fred thought to herself, after all she didn't have a lot to smile about. Not after last night anyway.
"Here, let me help you." Xander turned and stared walking towards the stairs.
"That's okay, I got it." Cordy stopped him half way through.
"Hi Dawnie." Cordelia greeted her.
"Hi." Dawn replied.
"I was thinking, maybe we can go shopping today. There's this new shop that was opened while I was away and I really wanted to check it out. What do you say?"
"Sure I'd..."
"No way." Gunn cut her off. "Angel will never let you go out on your own, not now."
"Well then, it's a good thing I don't need Angel's permission to do what I want."
"But..."
"If Angel wants, he can tag along." Cordy said knowing that wasn't an option.
"Come where?" She turned to see Angel coming out of his office.
"Did you sleep in there?" Lorne wondered out loud.
"No." Angel replied. "Go where?" He repeated the question.
"I'm taking Dawn out to do some shopping and Gunn thought you might want to come along. You know, for protection." She explained with a smirk.
"Very funny Cordelia, but you're not going anywhere." Angel didn't seem amused.
"You can't tell me what to do Angel. I'm a grown woman."
"Then start acting like one."
"Why you little arrogant popes ass. You think just because I work for you, you control my life?" Cordy let out a little pff. "As if."
"Can I see you in my office, please?" He said to her trying to control his temper.
"No, I'm busy." She crossed her arms.
He leaned his body forward and whispered to her: "Walking there is an option." He pulled back and smiled. A few moments later she marched into his office. He followed her and closed the door behind him.
***
"Who the hell do you think you are?" She snapped at him. "Giving me orders, treating me like a child. Embarrassing me in front of my friends."
"A. Your friend and boss. B. Those so-called-orders are for your own safety. And C. your friends saw us in worse fights. And as for the rest, since when do you care what they think of you?" He paused for a moment. She leaned on the desk. "Now can we just talk?"
"Talk." She replied coldly.
"We never did clarify our situation. I mean things happened so rapidly we didn't get a chance to."
"What situation Angel? us leaving under the same roof, don't worry I'm working on it."
"What? No. I don't want you to move out. God Cordelia you're impossible."
"I'm impossible?" She said surprised.
"We kissed." He raised his voice and took a step forward. "We confessed our love to one another and then..."
"You kissed your old girlfriend." Cordy finished the sentence.
"No that's not what I meant."
"But it's what you did." She sighed. "Look Angel, I have another person to consider now. I can't afford to start something with you that we can't finish. It would hurt too many people."
"That's cold calculation. Does love has no standing here?"
"Don't you throw this on me. Love has everything to do with it, like your love for Buffy. It's never over between you two. The minute you think to yourself oh well it's done now, finished, water under the bridge and all that, she shows up and it starts all over again.
"It's not like that." He said knowing it didn't sound all that convincing. He wanted to tell her she was wrong, he wanted to say it and believe it, but lat night just proofed otherwise. It's always the same thing with him and Buffy that's why they avoided meeting each other for so long.
"You know what angel? I can't do that. I won't be all Xander Harris and stay on the sideline watching the game. I won't be part of this twisted love triangle."
"No one asked you to." Angel defended himself.
"You have." She stood up and past him walking towards the door. Her back facing him
"I meant what I said that night on the bench." He said.
"It doesn't matter now. We're just friends, remember? Let's try acting like ones."
"Cordy." He reached out and grabbed her arm. "I know you're angry with me, but there's no reason for you to risk your life. Don't go shopping today, at least not alone. Take Buffy or Gunn with you. Both would be better." He stopped waiting for her reply.
"Okay." He was still holding on to her arm. "Is that all?" She said coldly.
"Yeah." He said and let go of her arm. And with that she walked out.
***
"So are we going shopping?" Dawn asked eagerly as Cordy walked out of the office. She could see Buffy was already there.
"I don't think so Dawnie. As much as I hate to admit it, Angel is right, I can't wonder of in the city." Cordy hated disappointing her, she really liked Dawn and she knew Dawn felt the same.
"So what's the problem?" Dawn smiled and turned to Buffy. "Buffy? You said you wanted to do some shopping after breakfast, if we have the time, right?" Yeah but..." Buffy knew where this was going.
"So why not Cordy joins us? Dawn cut her off. "It could be great, a girls day out. What do you say?" She looked at Cordy and Her sister who both seemed reluctant to the idea.
"Dawn I'm sure cordy has better things to do than hang out with us all day." Buffy replied. The way she said it annoyed Cordy. It was almost like she was mocking her. She wasn't about to let her have that pleasure.
"Actually you know what, Dawn?" Cordy said with a smirk. "I'd love to join you. And if you don't mind we can ask Fred to come as well after all she is a girl." Cordy smiled as she saw the look on Buffy's face. She hated the idea and that made Cordy smile on.
"Uh I don't want to intrude." Actually Fred didn't want to be caught between the two former cheerleaders for the rest of the day.
"No, it's cool." Dawn smiled and Fred smiled a half smile in return and turned to look at Gunn with a please-for-the-love-of-god-and-me-save-me!
Gunn got the message. "Fred? Honey? didn't we say we have to see that guy about that thing today?"
"Yeah we did." She smiled in relief. "I'm sorry Dawn, maybe some other time I..."
"I'm sure whatever it is it can wait till later." Cordy who knew what those two were up to, steeped in. "Right Gunn?" Cordy gave him the do-as-I-say-or-you're-a-dead-man-walking-look.
Gunn in despair looked at Cordy and then at his girl and then at Cordy and knew it was a no win situation. So after thinking whom of the two women he feared most he turned to Cordy and nodded. "Yeah it can wait till later." From the side he saw Fred was infuriated with him.
"This is going to be great." Dawn said excitedly as she stared at her three companions. "Or maybe I just have to hope we'll make it through the day." She whispered to Lorne.
"So wise in such an early age." He replied with a smile.
"Okay, lets go I'm starving." Dawn said and headed for the door.
"Oh." Fred jumped in joy. "I've already eaten, so maybe you three go ahead and I'll join you..."
"No you're not." Cordy grabbed her arm and dragged her away. "We're in this together.
***
The day past by pretty smoothly, Fred reluctantly went to breakfast. She really wanted to say no, but Cordy didn't let her. Soon enough they were trying out cloths, and Fred had no idea how she was talked into trying this red skirt, which wasn't really her. For most of the time Buffy and Cordy didn't speak, the tension between the two was obvious. Cordy tried toning it down a bit, not wanting to spoil the mode and day for Dawn, who really seemed to enjoy it, despite everything that was going on around her. It wasn't that Dawn wasn't aware of the situation; it's more that she decided to have fun no matter what.
When they finally rested in a coffee shop, Fred was exhausted. Shopping with Cordy was a challenge of it's own, but Shopping with Cordy, Buffy and Dawn was mission impossible. Those girls liked shopping. She figured since she spent five years of her life wearing the same rag day in and day out, cloths didn't seem to play such a big role for her. As long as they fitted and looked normal it was good enough for her.
"So...I think we had a very productive and fun, fun day, I really enjoyed it." Fred smiled a big fake smile, hoping they'll get the message and head back to the hotel.
"But we're not finished yet. It's barely 13:00, and I still haven't found a pair of shows. And I really wanted new shows." Dawn grumbled.
"That's okay." Cordy assured her they were not leaving till she finds the shows she wanted. That made Dawn smile and Fred frown. "I need to use the little girls room." She said as she got up. "Anyone else?"
"Actually, I need to." Buffy said and got up as well.
"Anyone else?" Cordy looked desperately at Fred hoping she'll get the message and get up. The last thing Cordy wanted was to be alone with Buffy even if it was just five minutes.
Fred smiled; she got the message but thought this was a good time for a little revenge. "I'm good." She said as she smirked at Cordy.
"Great." Cordy mumbled and turned to go towards the bathroom when suddenly she felt this strange feeling, the room started to spin. She grabbed on to the table for support.
"Are you okay?" Buffy who stood beside asked worriedly as she placed her arm on her back to give it support.
"Cor? Fred asked worriedly. "Maybe we should go home, you look tired?"
"I'm fine." Cordy stood up and let go of the table. "I just stood up to fast. I keep forgetting I'm not so carefree these days." She smiled although she was a bit concerned. She still hasn't been to see a doctor and she was at least 3 months pregnant. She knew she couldn't continue her life as usual; she'll have to make some adjustments, but not today. Today was fun day.
"Maybe if you wash up you'll feel better?" Buffy offered and Cordy nodded and headed for the bathroom. Buffy walked behind her making sure she was alright.
***
"Are you sure you're fine?"" Buffy asked when they were alone in the bathroom.
"Yeah," Cordy splashed water on her face. "I feel so embarrassed."
"Don't be." Buffy said. "I never thought I'd see the day that Queen C will be pregnant." Buffy chuckled.
"Is it the idea of me as a mom that amuses you? Or the fact that I can actually care enough about someone else to carry him around for nine months." Cordy said in a snappy tune.
"No, that's not what I meant." Buffy said defensively. "It's just weird, you know?"
"No I don't know, Buffy." Cordy attacked again. "I've changed, is it that hard for you to accept? Spike can change, so can Willow and everyone else, except me, is that it? Or maybe it's about Angel as always?"
"What are you talking about?" Buffy's tune changed. "If you have something to say, just say it."
"You had to pull him back in, you just couldn't let him live his own life." Cordy said angrily. "It kills you to see that he's happy and content, surrounded by friends who love him and care for him. You just want him to be around you no matter if it makes him lonely and sad, as long as you get your way."
"Where the hell do you come off judging my relationship with Angel?" Buffy raised her voice. "You think just cause you shared a kiss or two it makes you soul mates." Buffy chuckled. "It takes more than a few pompons to win his heart and soul."
"I'm not even going to dignify that with a reply. You really don't know anything about me or Angel."
"I know enough to know he's no as happy as you say he is. How can he be, with a friend, who you say love and cares for him, who kidnapped his son, and a son who tried killing him. And lets not forget the icing on the cake, the woman you claim he loves impregnated by her ex. How pathetic?" And before Buffy knew what hit her Cordy raised her hand and slapped her.
Oh god." Cordy pulled back shocked when she realized what she did.
"I think we should call it a day." Buffy said and turned towards the doorway
"Buffy wait." Cordy stopped her. "I didn't mean to hit you, but the things you said were..."
"What? Not true?" Buffy turned to face her.
"No. True, but the way you said it. It didn't happen like that. We all had our reasons to do what we did, even Connor. As weird as it may sound."
"I know." Buffy closed the bathroom door. "I shouldn't have said it, not like that. I was angry." She paused for a moment. "I don't know what's going to happen between Angel and I, but if there's still something there, even the slightest thing. We owe it to ourselves to give it a try. He's a part of me and I think I'm a part of him, and that's never going to change."
"Why are you telling me this?" Cordelia's voice was cracking.
"Cause you deserve to know. I'm not giving him up." Buffy said calmly. Cordy didn't say anything she just turned to look at the mirror, checking her makeup. "About the rest of the day..."
"I can go on if you can." Cordy replied while putting on lipstick.
"Great, then it's settled." Buffy replied and walked out.
"For now." Cordy said quietly, "for now."
"So are we ready to go?" dawn asked Cordy as she joined them. "Cordelia?" She asked again when she got no reply. Cordy had a strange expression on her face almost like she was daydreaming.
"Cor?" Fred called her name.
"Yeah Sorry." She snapped back.
"What happened?" Fred asked concerned.
"I had a vision." She replied. "We need to go back to the hotel. Sorry Dawnie."
***
"Run it by me again." Angel said as he Gunn and Fred pulled weapons form the chest.
"A girl, sitting in the middle of a circle surrounded by a bunch of people wearing robes. She was tied up and looked scared as hell. They're in a warehouse at this address." She handed Angel the note.
"Gunn you bring the care to the back I'll join you there." Angel ordered.
"Wait what about us?" Buffy asked.
"What about you?" Angel didn't understand.
"How can we help?"
"Stay here, watch Cordy." Angel said and turned to walk away.
"Wait1 Angel we can't just stay here while you fight god knows what." Buffy grabbed his arm forcing him to stop and turn.
"Yes you can, that's why I asked you here. I can deal with the everyday demons but I need someone to watch over Cordy while I do that. That's where you fit in."
"Angel I don't think..."
"Buffy I don't have time for this. Just do it." He said and left.
"Great, we get to baby-sit." Buffy grumbled.
"No one asked you to." Cordy said when she heard Buffy's little remark.
"Apparently someone did. Otherwise I'd be back home in Sunnydale fighting evil.
***
About an hour later they were back covered in green stuff that meant that those people in robs Cordy saw in her vision weren't people at all.
"Demons?" She greeted the three tired warriors.
"Demons." Fred said as she crashed on the rounded couch. Guinn fell beside her.
Angel looked around the lobby to see it was empty. "Where is everyone?"
"Lorne's out doing a reading, Dawn is upstairs watching TV."
"In my room?" Gunn said in protest.
"Yeah, it's not like he rest of us have a TV in our rooms. And as I recall this was my TV till you took it."
"Just maintenance rill you come back." Gunn smiled.
"Buffy?" Angel asked as he combed the lobby with his eyes.
"Down stairs lover-boy, training with Spike." Cordy snapped at him.
I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted to make sure you weren't here alone." Angel found himself explaining himself to Cordy.
"Whatever." She brushed him off. "So the job is done?"
"Well actually we found..."
"Yes it is." Angel stooped Fred half way through.
"It is?" Fred looked at Angel confused. He looked at her in his penetrating eyes and she got the hint. "It is." She nodded at sat down again.
"It didn't sound like it from the way you got all excited." Cordy asked Fred.
"It's nothing you know me I get excited about every little thing." Fred smiled hoping she lied well enough. He didn't.
"Yeah I know you. I know you well enough to know you can't lie, especially to me. So who's going to tell me what happened?" Cordy looked at the three who suddenly all found the floor extremely interesting. "Well?" She was tapping her feet while crossing her arms. Her patience was slim to none.
"They were in the middle of a ceremony." Angel said.
"So? We've seen the crazy demons who worship some other Ober demon before, nothing new there."
"Only they weren't worshiping exactly." Gunn started explaining but stopped half way through.
"They were sacrificing. It was a sacrificial ceremony. They were praying for salvation, I think." Fred continued where Gunn stopped.
"You guys this is not twenty question, tell me already." Now she was annoyed.
"They were begging for their lives." She turned to see Wesley in the doorway. "Something is coming, something big and they're scared."
"Where did you come form?" Cordy asked surprised.
"I called him and asked hi to join us." Angel answered.
"I'm still...." And then it hit her, that thing that was coming it has something to do with my baby, right?" She looked at Wesley waiting for an answer.
"I believe it's more than one demon, I think it's a high council of some sort." Wesley replied.
"The same council that combined forces with various demons to hired the assassin?" She remembered what Gavin told them.
"I believe so, but I'll have to run it by a few sources of mine." Wesley said.
"Are you okay?" Angel wasn't sure how she'd take the news.
"Actually I'm relieved. " When she saw the confuse faces she explained. "At least now this thing is coming here, to my turf where we can fight back. Till now he was out of reach, but no more. Now it's time we strike back." Angel smiled, he loved her willingness to fight, never run, and never hide, always straight ahead.
"Let the games begin." Gunn said with a smile.
***
TBC