Chapter 21: Nearing the finish line
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hey 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** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still 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 Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
Angel came running through the door. "Cordelia Chase" he said to the nurse sitting being the counter.
"And you are?" the nurse asked suspiciously as the others joined him.
"I'm her husband and these are her sisters and, brothers," Angel replied with an angry tune.
"Angel." He turned to see Gunn.
"Where is she?"
"She's in there." Gunn pointed to one of the rooms. Angel headed towards the room.
"Wow, wait a minute." Gunn stopped him. Angel looked beveled. "She doesn't want to see you." Gunn explained.
"What? She can't look that bad?" Angel smiled thinking it was just Cordy afraid he'd see her in her worst, like he hasn't before.
"Angel." Gunn placed his hand on Angel's shoulder. "She specifically said you. With the others she's okay." Angel's expression changed. He was angry. He was worried about her, he moved heaven and earth for her and now she doesn't want to see just because of one little talk he had with his ex while she was unconscious.
"I don't care." Angel said and shoved Gunn aside.
***
She tried fixing her hair so she wouldn't be a complete mess when the others arrive. The door opened and she smiled, but then she saw Angel. "Get out." She said angrily.
"Not until we talk about this." Angel advanced towards her.
"If you take one more step I swear I'll call security and have you thrown out." She threatened and he paused half way through.
"I know why you're mad, but you got it all wrong." Angel began to explain.
"Really?" Cordy nodded. "So you didn't tell Buffy you've always loved her and if you could..." Cordy paused. "I'm sorry I didn't get the last bit."
"What I said to Buffy, although in private..." Angel raised his finger moving back and forth. "Ah, ah, ah, you had your chance now it's my turn." Cordy quieted down. "What I said to her was true, but it was no indication of how I feel about anyone right now. I stand behind my words." That wasn't what Cordy wanted to hear. "I made my decision based on logic not love."
"Why?" Cordy asked. "Would the result be any different if your decision was based on love?" he knew what she was really asking him; who he loved her or Buffy.
"I couldn't have made that decision any different than I did." Angel gave an evasive answer.
"Fine." Cordy replied coldly. "Now can you please leave me be?"
"If that's what you want." He said as he headed for the door. "But you should, if nothing else, know how important you are to me."
"I wonder." She replied and regretted it a second later.
"No you don't." He smiled as if he knew she didn't mean it. "You know for certain that you are my best friend, and that I would stop at nothing to help you." He paused as her expression softened. "Just like you wouldn't stop either." He opened the door.
"Angel?" He stopped. She hesitated. She wanted to tell him she wasn't mad at him any more, and ask him to stay with her. "Can you ask Fred to come in?"
"Sure." He smiled as he walked out. A sad sensation filled her, a missed opportunity. As if she ran to the train station but failed to get onboard.
"Hi." A familiar voice and kind smile snapped her form her thoughts.
"Hi Fred." Cordy smiled as Fred walked in closing the door behind her.
***
"Anything?" Angel asked for the thousands time.
"Angel sweetie for the love of god." Lorne pulled him a way before Giles drove a stake through his heart. "Let's go for a walk."
"I don't want a walk, Lorne." Angel was edgy.
"Everyone else did." Lorne said in a pleading tune.
"They went to see Xander." Angel said still with the same nervous tune. "I hardly call it a walk."
"You need the airrrr... well you need something, and it ain't here baby." Lorne winked.
"Don't ever do that again." Angel said as he headed for the exit. Lorne ran after him.
"I'm glad you took my advice." He breathed heavily. "You're a tough guy to follow." Angel kept on walking. "Angel can you stop for a moment." Lorne grabbed his arm. Angel turned with an angry stare. "I know you're worried about Cordy, we all are, but your behavior..."
"What Lorne? It's irrational, annoying? What?"
"Well there's that, but mostly I sense sadness and hurt. A whole lot of hurt."
"I didn't sing." Angel said surprised.
"You didn't have to. You aura did it for you."
Angel leaned against the wall. "I did something... said something, that made her run off." He started to explain. "Buffy showing up changed the order of things."
"In what way?"
"She made me question some things about me." Angel replied.
"Cordelia had a hand in that too, didn't she?" Angel knew Lorne was observant, but was it that obvious? "She came back, you were flying on clouds, and then you learned she's pregnant, by another man." Angel lowered his head. "And along came Buffy..." Lorne smile.
"So what do I do?"
"You my friend, concentrate on the task at hand. And once this all mess is over and done with, you will have some though decisions to make. But now Angel... now is not the time."
"I think they have something." Spike who showed up out of nowhere called out. Angel quickly headed back, Lorne right behind him
***
"Well?" Angel asked nervously. Everyone was there except Dawn who stayed with Xander.
"It's been under our noses the entire time." Wesley said with a surprised and happy expression.
"What was?" Angel didn't follow.
"We were trying to translate the prophecy, well actually all we needed to do..."
"Ask for the English version." Spike cut off Wesley who looked really annoyed.
"Really?" Fred said.
"You don't have to say it like that." said Willow. "It's not like we knew." She said in their defense.
"Never mind that." Buffy stepped in. "What does it say?"
"Well." Wesley cleared his troth as he began to read. "And on the night of the fifth century since the departure of our beloved one, a child is born, neither human nor beast. Neither from this world or beyond, a child of human, demon and power, a child to combine it all."
"He's talking about Groo and Cordy." Fred pointed out.
Wesley kept citing. "One who shall carry all of the great one powers, one who shall bestow the world from its wealth and wisdom."
"Wow." Gunn summed it up. "Cordy really has something baking in the oven."
"And the child will be the key to open the future and past. A child to connect it all." Wesley stopped looking at Giles.
"Why did you stop? Angel asked anxiously.
"The next paragraph is..." He paused handing the book over to Giles to read.
"Read it!" Angel ordered. As Giles continued where Wesley stopped.
"And on this night of delivery, of promise, a sacrifice shall be made."
"Sacrifice?" Lorne asked confused.
"And she who gave it life, she who bared it all. The one scorned by love."
"Cordy..." Angel whispered. Buffy came close to him and held his hand as if she knew the next part wouldn't be as good as the first one.
"And she will scream, and she will fight. And as darkness falls upon her, she will bear in pain. And her cry shall send it away. And it will be safe, and it shall prosper...."
"That's good right, it means Cordy delivers, right?" Gunn asked for confirmation, no one could give him.
"And it will be safe..." Giles repeated the last line, "and it shall prosper as she demises into darkness." He looked up at Angel who seemed shock. He knew what was coming next; he'd seen it before.
"No." Angel shook his head. "You read it wrong." He kept on his denial.
"Angel, if it was a translation I might have said you were right, but..."
"Maybe it's wrong." Angel cut Giles off. "Maybe the book translated it wrong?"
"We were half way through translating it when we found the translation. And both translations match." Wesley tried to explain.
"But you didn't finish it, maybe if you finished it..."
"I translated the last line to be sure." Giles said. "And it's a match. The book is correct."
"And prophecies are not." Angel insisted. "Remember the prophecy that said Buffy would die."
"And I did." Said Buffy.
"And Xander brought you back." Angel was clinging to the end of the rope, trying not to let go.
"It won't work here, she's not human." Willow tried where the others failed. "She was part human but then she became a higher been. You can't give her C.P.R"
"You're wrong, you're all wrong." Angel turned around and walked away.
"Angel...?" Fred wanted to go after him.
"No Sugar." Lorne stopped her. "He needs to be alone."
"No. What he needs is a good smack on the head." Spike said and followed him before anyone could stop him.
"Great." Gunn was pissed. "I better go stop him before they kill each other.
"No, don't." said Buffy to his surprise. "Let him give it a try. He can't do any worse."
"Want to beg to differ?" said Willow knowing Spike.
***
"Hi." Spike took out a cigarette. Angel looked up and to Spikes surprise didn't tell him to get lost. "Do you mind?" Spike asked as he held the lighter to the tip of the cigarette.
"Not like it will kill me." Angel replied. Spike smiled and lit it up. "So, way are you been so nice to me?"
"Can't a fellow be nice for a change?
"You're not a fellow, Spike." Angel replied.
"Lets just say I relate, and leave it at that." Spike took a puff from the cigarette.
"Buffy." Angel nodded.
"I know you think I don't... care." Spike chose his words wisely for once. "But I do, and I did. And soul or no soul seeing her body laying on the wrecks, it..."
"Broke you inside." Angel finished off the sentence.
"Yeah." Spike nodded.
"But you got her back."
"Prophecies are a tricky thing, like you pointed out. You never know the outcome." Spike smiled. "It's usually the knowing part that causes all the mess to begin with."
"So you think they're wrong?"
"It doesn't matter what any of us think. Right now she's the most important thing. And you need to ask yourself, what if they're right? Do you really want to spend eternity wishing you would have told her what you needed to?" Angel couldn't believe this was coming out from Spike. He was making sense.
"I don't know what to say." Angel mumbled.
"You bloody hell know, you're just afraid." Spike threw his cigarette to the ground. "I better go in, before they send someone to break us up."
"We do have a reputation to sustain. "Angel smiled.
"Yeah." Spike smiled as he turned to leave.
"Spike?" He stopped and turned around. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
***
"Hi." He walked in hoping she'd be in better mood. They talked about it and decided not to tell Cordy anything, they thought that stress is the last thing she needs right now. Outside her door stood Gunn and Spike, they all took shifts watching her room, and Willow with Giles's help was working on a warning spell in case some of the Sheryon come near the hospital. It was quiet now, all the craziness and commotion was over, as if everyone and everything were awaiting the miracle child.
It's been hours since she entered the hospital. She had enough; she wanted it to be over. "You know what I don't get?" She asked and didn't wait for a reply. "It was in such a hurry to get this far, and now when we're nearing the finish line, it stops. As if it says hi mom, I had enough lets take a break." She smiled.
"How are you?" He asked as he walked towards her.
"Better, now that I got the epidural." She smiled. "It's okay, I'm on drugs. It's safe to come near." She said after noticing his hesitation.
"You won't bite my head off?" Angel teased.
"Sit!" she ordered and he quickly sat on the chair beside her bed. "So are you going to tell me?" She surprised him with a confusing question.
"Tell you what?" Angel asked. He knew Cordy although, and knew she sensed something was up.
"Angel, don't play games. I know something is going. And I'll take a guess and say it's about me."
"Me me me. Is everything about you?" He teased.
"Angel?" She knew he was avoiding the answer.
"All is well." Angel took her hand. "Willow is working on a warning spell, and you have two faithful guards on the lookout."
"Are we expecting company?" She asked.
"Just a precaution." Angel assured her.
"So how come you look nervous." She said, noticing his edgy mode.
"Not what you're thinking of." He smiled a nervous smile.
"Really?" She asked surprised. "Then what?"
***
"I want to talk to you about something, but not sure how." He said honestly.
"That's new." She raised an eyebrow. "You usually know exactly what to say, or more accurate, how to shut me up." She smiled. So did he. "You can talk to me about anything, you know that."
"Are you still angry with me?" He asked.
"Not angry... frustrated is more like it." She replied. "I just find it hard to figure you out, which is a new territory for me." She paused. "Me and you, we used to be able to read each others thoughts. And now...."
"And now?" Angel waited for her to finish.
"Now you're a big mystery to me, just like you were 3 plus years ago." She sighed. "And that's frustrating." After a moment of awkward silence, she spoke. "So?"
Angel looked at her, knowing she waiting for him to speak, but what was he suppose to say? "I missed you." That was the first thing that came to mind.
"I wasn't gone that long." She smiled.
"No. I meant during summer, when you were away." He explained.
"I know we never really talked about this, but I know this baby came as a major shock to you." She paused." And I... "
"Do you still love me?" He cut her off with a surprising question.
"What?" She asked as she tried pulling herself up to a sitting position.
"You told me you loved me not long ago. I know it seems like it's been ages..."
"But it's barely been a week." She finished off the sentence.
"That night, on the bench on the promenade, you said..."
"I know Angel." She stopped him. "But things changed, this happened." She pointed at her belly.
"Things change, but feelings...." He paused. "Mine haven't changed. The way I feel..."
"That's just it Angel." She sighed. "I don't know how you feel, you've been avoiding the subject ever since you found out I'm pregnant."
"It was hard for me knowing you were carrying Groo's child." He admitted.
"But you acted like I've betrayed you. Like I did it on purpose to hurt you."
"For awhile it felt just like that Cor."
"Don't get me wrong. I love this baby, and I will as long as I breath and live, and probably beyond that. But I didn't ask to be a mother, I didn't ask for the responsibility that came with it."
"I know." He raised his voice a little bit. "And I know you don't owe me anything."
"Than why are you acting as if I do?" Angel didn't answer. He got up and walked away from the bed. "Why Angel?" She pushed further.
"Because it was supposed to have been me!" He yelled. "It was supposed to be our future, my redemption. You were supposed to have been my price."
"Angel...?" Her voice cracked. She tried holding back the tears, but it was too much for her.
"I don't hate you or your baby. I love you too much to ever hate you." He walked back to the bedside and sat down. "But every time I look at you, I see what I'll never have, never have with you."
"But you do have me. Don't you see, even when Groo had me you still had me." Her words were like music to his ears. "Angel I lo.... Haaaaaaaaaaa." She screamed in pain.
"Cordy?" Angel panicked. "What should I do?"
"Call the nurse, something's wrong."
***
Things moved fast. Before he knew what have happened the rooms was packed. The bay was in distress and the doctor wanted to get it out now, before they'll have no choice but do a caesarian.
"Please wait outside." nurse Thompson showed Angel to the door.
"No." He resisted. "I promised her I'd stay by her side."
"Right now, she needs us by her side." Nurse Thompson said firmly. "You'll only get in the way, so if you truly care for her safety..."
"Tell her, I'm just outside the door." He asked as he reluctantly walked out.
***
"What's wrong?" Fred asked nervously.
"They don't know yet." He sighed. "How are things here?"
"Not so good." Willow who came around the corner, said. "I think they're coming."
"Who?" Buffy asked.
"Everyone." Willow replied.
"They are all gathering here." Giles elaborated. "They sensed the birth is nearing its end."
"So what now?" Spike asked. "Do we battle? Run?"
"We can't run." Said Gunn. "Cordy is in no position to be moved."
"So battle stations it is." Spike grinned.
"We just have to hold them back long enough for her to give birth." Wesley replied. "Then we can take the baby and run."
"Split up." Angel ordered. "Cover every entrance to the section."
They each took a different position. All ready to wage war. The hospital was quiet now.
***
"It's nearing sunrise." Buffy said to Angel as they waited.
"I know. I can smell it."
"That puts us in a disadvantaged position, and they know it."
"No matter what Buffy, you keep fighting. Okay?" She nodded. "Keep her safe for me."
"So I guess that answers my question." She smiled a bitter smile. He looked at her confused. "I came here partly because you needed my help." She paused. "And partly cause I needed to know... If there's anything left, between me and you that is."
"There always will be." He replied. "You'll always be a part of my life, my heart. That will never change."
"Although other things have?" She asked not expecting a reply.
"We grow apart and changed." He chuckled. "I never thought that after 200 plus years I could still discover new things about myself, that I could still be able to say I've changed."
"You said to me once, that you felt you still had a mission to fulfill, that you're still unworthy of redemption." Angel nodded. "Do you still feel that way, or is she the end of your journey, or more like it, the beginning?"
"I did a lot in the past 3 and half years. I saved and lost a lot."
"And still?" She needed an answer.
"I don't know." He looked straight at her. "But I wish it, if that's what you mean. This whole thing showed me, how much I need her and how much I care for her." Angel avoided using the 'love' word in front of Buffy, not to hurt her feelings.
"I see." She said with in quiet tone. "I better go take my position." She changed the subject and turned to leave.
"Buffy?" He grabbed her arm and she turned around. "Thank you."
"Sure." She smiled and started walking away. But half way through she stopped and turned around. "I hate this." She said to his surprise. "I hate that I lost you, that we lost each other." She took a big breath. "I hate the fact that you found with her what you couldn't find with me..."
"Buffy?" He tried interrupting but she stopped him.
"No Angel. Let me get it out." She asked and he quitted down. "But mostly I hate that we never got a real opportunity, a real chance to be together." She paused looking into his brown eyes. "I know our time has past and missed opportunities or not, you have clearly moved on."
"So have you." He said quickly before she had a chance to stop him.
"I guess I did." She smiled. "So it's time I say goodbye, cause once this is all over, I'm going home." She saw the awkwardness in his stare. "It's not because of you, or anything you said or did. Its just time."
"I'll miss you." He said.
"I know." She replied. "But I won't leave without a proper goodbye." She leaned forward and placed her lips onto his. She kissed him softly. It wasn't a passionate kiss. It was goodbye. He kissed her back gently, knowing, if nothing else, at least she understood. They broke the kiss and she backed away. "Fight well." She said as she walked away.
"Keep safe." he called out to her. She waved to him and walked around the corner.
***
She felt the pain crawling in. it was intense. She knew something was wrong. "Doctor." She said between breaths. "How's the baby."
"It's okay Cordelia just keep breathing you're doing well."
"And the baby?"
"Well as well." The doctor winked at her. "Now lets concentrate on getting it out, okay?" Cordy nodded as another contraction came her way.
***
"All the entrances are secured. "Connor informed Angel.
"Thank you for staying around." Said Angel.
"She was nice to me. She helped me." Connor explained his motives.
"Never the less. Thank you."
"Sure." Connor shrugged his shoulders and turned to return to his post.
"Maybe after this..." Angel said to him before he left. "Maybe we can sit down and talk."
"About?" Connor asked.
"You, me, us, life... whatever." Angel smiled.
"Maybe." Connor replied and walked away.
"Wait a minute." Angel had an idea. "Get everyone over here."
"Now?" Connor asked surprised.
"And do it fast." Angel added
***
"So what do you say? Can it work?" Angel looked at Willow waiting for an answer.
"Sure, I've done it before... but the nurses and doctors..."
"It's a chance we have to take." Angel replied. "Right now it's our only chance." He looked at the clock. "How long do you need?"
"Not long, but we need to set a perimeter. The smaller the better."
"How about the delivery room and its surroundings. Take a few feet to cover us all."
"The fewer the better." Said Willow.
"Okay so we spread out." Angel looked at the gang. "Buffy, Spike, you stay with me and Willow."
"And what about us? Gunn asked. "Are we suppose to runaway?" He was angry, he felt left out, as if Angel didn't need him now that he had the Scoobies to the rescue.
"That's exactly what you do." Angel replied. "You Make sure we have a way to get out of here once she delivers. The barrier won't hold forever."
"I don't like it." Gunn insisted.
"I'm not asking you to like it, I'm telling you to do it." Angel said firmly. If the circumstances were different Gunn would probably argue or take off, but right now he didn't have that luxury.
"Fine." He grumped as he walked away followed by the others.
"Be careful." Giles whispered to Buffy before he walked away. She smiled appreciating his never-ending concern.
"Giles?" Buffy called out to him. He turned. "Dawn?"
"I know. Don't worry." He smiled and walked away.
"You need to stay close to one another. I can't cover the entire ward." Willow instructed the, Before entering the delivery room.. They all huddled together.
"What is going on here?" One of the nurses came towards them.
"We're waiting for our friend." Buffy replied.
"I can see that." Said the nurse. "And that's why we have waiting areas, so if you could please..."suddenly the lights went off. "What the...?" the nurse looked around it was pitch black.
"They're coming." Angel whispered.
The nurses started running from room to room. "Get the auxiliary power on." One of the nurses said." Check on all the patience." The nurse that stood beside them ran off. Emergency lights turned on all around the ward. In all the commotion Angel was able to notice three warriors who were heading their way. "We're on our own." He said. "Stay alert they're Here."
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. I did my best finishing it as quickly as possible before I enter yet another busy period.
As always I'd appreciate your support and feedbacks, so don't be shy, review.
Unfortunately it may take mea bit longer to upload ch 22, but I'm sure you understand and be patience as always.
Thank you.
Nikka.
Title: A new beginning.
Author: Nikka
Author notes: Hey 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** I want to thank Kelly for all the great works she's done, and to welcome aboard Nisus who from now on will be reproofing my fic. As it is you may still 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 Nisus for reproofing my story. As of that the upload of the chapters may take longer. And to Kelly get well soon.
Feedback: I love love love reviews and I'll be sure to mention it at the end of every chapter.
***
Angel came running through the door. "Cordelia Chase" he said to the nurse sitting being the counter.
"And you are?" the nurse asked suspiciously as the others joined him.
"I'm her husband and these are her sisters and, brothers," Angel replied with an angry tune.
"Angel." He turned to see Gunn.
"Where is she?"
"She's in there." Gunn pointed to one of the rooms. Angel headed towards the room.
"Wow, wait a minute." Gunn stopped him. Angel looked beveled. "She doesn't want to see you." Gunn explained.
"What? She can't look that bad?" Angel smiled thinking it was just Cordy afraid he'd see her in her worst, like he hasn't before.
"Angel." Gunn placed his hand on Angel's shoulder. "She specifically said you. With the others she's okay." Angel's expression changed. He was angry. He was worried about her, he moved heaven and earth for her and now she doesn't want to see just because of one little talk he had with his ex while she was unconscious.
"I don't care." Angel said and shoved Gunn aside.
***
She tried fixing her hair so she wouldn't be a complete mess when the others arrive. The door opened and she smiled, but then she saw Angel. "Get out." She said angrily.
"Not until we talk about this." Angel advanced towards her.
"If you take one more step I swear I'll call security and have you thrown out." She threatened and he paused half way through.
"I know why you're mad, but you got it all wrong." Angel began to explain.
"Really?" Cordy nodded. "So you didn't tell Buffy you've always loved her and if you could..." Cordy paused. "I'm sorry I didn't get the last bit."
"What I said to Buffy, although in private..." Angel raised his finger moving back and forth. "Ah, ah, ah, you had your chance now it's my turn." Cordy quieted down. "What I said to her was true, but it was no indication of how I feel about anyone right now. I stand behind my words." That wasn't what Cordy wanted to hear. "I made my decision based on logic not love."
"Why?" Cordy asked. "Would the result be any different if your decision was based on love?" he knew what she was really asking him; who he loved her or Buffy.
"I couldn't have made that decision any different than I did." Angel gave an evasive answer.
"Fine." Cordy replied coldly. "Now can you please leave me be?"
"If that's what you want." He said as he headed for the door. "But you should, if nothing else, know how important you are to me."
"I wonder." She replied and regretted it a second later.
"No you don't." He smiled as if he knew she didn't mean it. "You know for certain that you are my best friend, and that I would stop at nothing to help you." He paused as her expression softened. "Just like you wouldn't stop either." He opened the door.
"Angel?" He stopped. She hesitated. She wanted to tell him she wasn't mad at him any more, and ask him to stay with her. "Can you ask Fred to come in?"
"Sure." He smiled as he walked out. A sad sensation filled her, a missed opportunity. As if she ran to the train station but failed to get onboard.
"Hi." A familiar voice and kind smile snapped her form her thoughts.
"Hi Fred." Cordy smiled as Fred walked in closing the door behind her.
***
"Anything?" Angel asked for the thousands time.
"Angel sweetie for the love of god." Lorne pulled him a way before Giles drove a stake through his heart. "Let's go for a walk."
"I don't want a walk, Lorne." Angel was edgy.
"Everyone else did." Lorne said in a pleading tune.
"They went to see Xander." Angel said still with the same nervous tune. "I hardly call it a walk."
"You need the airrrr... well you need something, and it ain't here baby." Lorne winked.
"Don't ever do that again." Angel said as he headed for the exit. Lorne ran after him.
"I'm glad you took my advice." He breathed heavily. "You're a tough guy to follow." Angel kept on walking. "Angel can you stop for a moment." Lorne grabbed his arm. Angel turned with an angry stare. "I know you're worried about Cordy, we all are, but your behavior..."
"What Lorne? It's irrational, annoying? What?"
"Well there's that, but mostly I sense sadness and hurt. A whole lot of hurt."
"I didn't sing." Angel said surprised.
"You didn't have to. You aura did it for you."
Angel leaned against the wall. "I did something... said something, that made her run off." He started to explain. "Buffy showing up changed the order of things."
"In what way?"
"She made me question some things about me." Angel replied.
"Cordelia had a hand in that too, didn't she?" Angel knew Lorne was observant, but was it that obvious? "She came back, you were flying on clouds, and then you learned she's pregnant, by another man." Angel lowered his head. "And along came Buffy..." Lorne smile.
"So what do I do?"
"You my friend, concentrate on the task at hand. And once this all mess is over and done with, you will have some though decisions to make. But now Angel... now is not the time."
"I think they have something." Spike who showed up out of nowhere called out. Angel quickly headed back, Lorne right behind him
***
"Well?" Angel asked nervously. Everyone was there except Dawn who stayed with Xander.
"It's been under our noses the entire time." Wesley said with a surprised and happy expression.
"What was?" Angel didn't follow.
"We were trying to translate the prophecy, well actually all we needed to do..."
"Ask for the English version." Spike cut off Wesley who looked really annoyed.
"Really?" Fred said.
"You don't have to say it like that." said Willow. "It's not like we knew." She said in their defense.
"Never mind that." Buffy stepped in. "What does it say?"
"Well." Wesley cleared his troth as he began to read. "And on the night of the fifth century since the departure of our beloved one, a child is born, neither human nor beast. Neither from this world or beyond, a child of human, demon and power, a child to combine it all."
"He's talking about Groo and Cordy." Fred pointed out.
Wesley kept citing. "One who shall carry all of the great one powers, one who shall bestow the world from its wealth and wisdom."
"Wow." Gunn summed it up. "Cordy really has something baking in the oven."
"And the child will be the key to open the future and past. A child to connect it all." Wesley stopped looking at Giles.
"Why did you stop? Angel asked anxiously.
"The next paragraph is..." He paused handing the book over to Giles to read.
"Read it!" Angel ordered. As Giles continued where Wesley stopped.
"And on this night of delivery, of promise, a sacrifice shall be made."
"Sacrifice?" Lorne asked confused.
"And she who gave it life, she who bared it all. The one scorned by love."
"Cordy..." Angel whispered. Buffy came close to him and held his hand as if she knew the next part wouldn't be as good as the first one.
"And she will scream, and she will fight. And as darkness falls upon her, she will bear in pain. And her cry shall send it away. And it will be safe, and it shall prosper...."
"That's good right, it means Cordy delivers, right?" Gunn asked for confirmation, no one could give him.
"And it will be safe..." Giles repeated the last line, "and it shall prosper as she demises into darkness." He looked up at Angel who seemed shock. He knew what was coming next; he'd seen it before.
"No." Angel shook his head. "You read it wrong." He kept on his denial.
"Angel, if it was a translation I might have said you were right, but..."
"Maybe it's wrong." Angel cut Giles off. "Maybe the book translated it wrong?"
"We were half way through translating it when we found the translation. And both translations match." Wesley tried to explain.
"But you didn't finish it, maybe if you finished it..."
"I translated the last line to be sure." Giles said. "And it's a match. The book is correct."
"And prophecies are not." Angel insisted. "Remember the prophecy that said Buffy would die."
"And I did." Said Buffy.
"And Xander brought you back." Angel was clinging to the end of the rope, trying not to let go.
"It won't work here, she's not human." Willow tried where the others failed. "She was part human but then she became a higher been. You can't give her C.P.R"
"You're wrong, you're all wrong." Angel turned around and walked away.
"Angel...?" Fred wanted to go after him.
"No Sugar." Lorne stopped her. "He needs to be alone."
"No. What he needs is a good smack on the head." Spike said and followed him before anyone could stop him.
"Great." Gunn was pissed. "I better go stop him before they kill each other.
"No, don't." said Buffy to his surprise. "Let him give it a try. He can't do any worse."
"Want to beg to differ?" said Willow knowing Spike.
***
"Hi." Spike took out a cigarette. Angel looked up and to Spikes surprise didn't tell him to get lost. "Do you mind?" Spike asked as he held the lighter to the tip of the cigarette.
"Not like it will kill me." Angel replied. Spike smiled and lit it up. "So, way are you been so nice to me?"
"Can't a fellow be nice for a change?
"You're not a fellow, Spike." Angel replied.
"Lets just say I relate, and leave it at that." Spike took a puff from the cigarette.
"Buffy." Angel nodded.
"I know you think I don't... care." Spike chose his words wisely for once. "But I do, and I did. And soul or no soul seeing her body laying on the wrecks, it..."
"Broke you inside." Angel finished off the sentence.
"Yeah." Spike nodded.
"But you got her back."
"Prophecies are a tricky thing, like you pointed out. You never know the outcome." Spike smiled. "It's usually the knowing part that causes all the mess to begin with."
"So you think they're wrong?"
"It doesn't matter what any of us think. Right now she's the most important thing. And you need to ask yourself, what if they're right? Do you really want to spend eternity wishing you would have told her what you needed to?" Angel couldn't believe this was coming out from Spike. He was making sense.
"I don't know what to say." Angel mumbled.
"You bloody hell know, you're just afraid." Spike threw his cigarette to the ground. "I better go in, before they send someone to break us up."
"We do have a reputation to sustain. "Angel smiled.
"Yeah." Spike smiled as he turned to leave.
"Spike?" He stopped and turned around. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
***
"Hi." He walked in hoping she'd be in better mood. They talked about it and decided not to tell Cordy anything, they thought that stress is the last thing she needs right now. Outside her door stood Gunn and Spike, they all took shifts watching her room, and Willow with Giles's help was working on a warning spell in case some of the Sheryon come near the hospital. It was quiet now, all the craziness and commotion was over, as if everyone and everything were awaiting the miracle child.
It's been hours since she entered the hospital. She had enough; she wanted it to be over. "You know what I don't get?" She asked and didn't wait for a reply. "It was in such a hurry to get this far, and now when we're nearing the finish line, it stops. As if it says hi mom, I had enough lets take a break." She smiled.
"How are you?" He asked as he walked towards her.
"Better, now that I got the epidural." She smiled. "It's okay, I'm on drugs. It's safe to come near." She said after noticing his hesitation.
"You won't bite my head off?" Angel teased.
"Sit!" she ordered and he quickly sat on the chair beside her bed. "So are you going to tell me?" She surprised him with a confusing question.
"Tell you what?" Angel asked. He knew Cordy although, and knew she sensed something was up.
"Angel, don't play games. I know something is going. And I'll take a guess and say it's about me."
"Me me me. Is everything about you?" He teased.
"Angel?" She knew he was avoiding the answer.
"All is well." Angel took her hand. "Willow is working on a warning spell, and you have two faithful guards on the lookout."
"Are we expecting company?" She asked.
"Just a precaution." Angel assured her.
"So how come you look nervous." She said, noticing his edgy mode.
"Not what you're thinking of." He smiled a nervous smile.
"Really?" She asked surprised. "Then what?"
***
"I want to talk to you about something, but not sure how." He said honestly.
"That's new." She raised an eyebrow. "You usually know exactly what to say, or more accurate, how to shut me up." She smiled. So did he. "You can talk to me about anything, you know that."
"Are you still angry with me?" He asked.
"Not angry... frustrated is more like it." She replied. "I just find it hard to figure you out, which is a new territory for me." She paused. "Me and you, we used to be able to read each others thoughts. And now...."
"And now?" Angel waited for her to finish.
"Now you're a big mystery to me, just like you were 3 plus years ago." She sighed. "And that's frustrating." After a moment of awkward silence, she spoke. "So?"
Angel looked at her, knowing she waiting for him to speak, but what was he suppose to say? "I missed you." That was the first thing that came to mind.
"I wasn't gone that long." She smiled.
"No. I meant during summer, when you were away." He explained.
"I know we never really talked about this, but I know this baby came as a major shock to you." She paused." And I... "
"Do you still love me?" He cut her off with a surprising question.
"What?" She asked as she tried pulling herself up to a sitting position.
"You told me you loved me not long ago. I know it seems like it's been ages..."
"But it's barely been a week." She finished off the sentence.
"That night, on the bench on the promenade, you said..."
"I know Angel." She stopped him. "But things changed, this happened." She pointed at her belly.
"Things change, but feelings...." He paused. "Mine haven't changed. The way I feel..."
"That's just it Angel." She sighed. "I don't know how you feel, you've been avoiding the subject ever since you found out I'm pregnant."
"It was hard for me knowing you were carrying Groo's child." He admitted.
"But you acted like I've betrayed you. Like I did it on purpose to hurt you."
"For awhile it felt just like that Cor."
"Don't get me wrong. I love this baby, and I will as long as I breath and live, and probably beyond that. But I didn't ask to be a mother, I didn't ask for the responsibility that came with it."
"I know." He raised his voice a little bit. "And I know you don't owe me anything."
"Than why are you acting as if I do?" Angel didn't answer. He got up and walked away from the bed. "Why Angel?" She pushed further.
"Because it was supposed to have been me!" He yelled. "It was supposed to be our future, my redemption. You were supposed to have been my price."
"Angel...?" Her voice cracked. She tried holding back the tears, but it was too much for her.
"I don't hate you or your baby. I love you too much to ever hate you." He walked back to the bedside and sat down. "But every time I look at you, I see what I'll never have, never have with you."
"But you do have me. Don't you see, even when Groo had me you still had me." Her words were like music to his ears. "Angel I lo.... Haaaaaaaaaaa." She screamed in pain.
"Cordy?" Angel panicked. "What should I do?"
"Call the nurse, something's wrong."
***
Things moved fast. Before he knew what have happened the rooms was packed. The bay was in distress and the doctor wanted to get it out now, before they'll have no choice but do a caesarian.
"Please wait outside." nurse Thompson showed Angel to the door.
"No." He resisted. "I promised her I'd stay by her side."
"Right now, she needs us by her side." Nurse Thompson said firmly. "You'll only get in the way, so if you truly care for her safety..."
"Tell her, I'm just outside the door." He asked as he reluctantly walked out.
***
"What's wrong?" Fred asked nervously.
"They don't know yet." He sighed. "How are things here?"
"Not so good." Willow who came around the corner, said. "I think they're coming."
"Who?" Buffy asked.
"Everyone." Willow replied.
"They are all gathering here." Giles elaborated. "They sensed the birth is nearing its end."
"So what now?" Spike asked. "Do we battle? Run?"
"We can't run." Said Gunn. "Cordy is in no position to be moved."
"So battle stations it is." Spike grinned.
"We just have to hold them back long enough for her to give birth." Wesley replied. "Then we can take the baby and run."
"Split up." Angel ordered. "Cover every entrance to the section."
They each took a different position. All ready to wage war. The hospital was quiet now.
***
"It's nearing sunrise." Buffy said to Angel as they waited.
"I know. I can smell it."
"That puts us in a disadvantaged position, and they know it."
"No matter what Buffy, you keep fighting. Okay?" She nodded. "Keep her safe for me."
"So I guess that answers my question." She smiled a bitter smile. He looked at her confused. "I came here partly because you needed my help." She paused. "And partly cause I needed to know... If there's anything left, between me and you that is."
"There always will be." He replied. "You'll always be a part of my life, my heart. That will never change."
"Although other things have?" She asked not expecting a reply.
"We grow apart and changed." He chuckled. "I never thought that after 200 plus years I could still discover new things about myself, that I could still be able to say I've changed."
"You said to me once, that you felt you still had a mission to fulfill, that you're still unworthy of redemption." Angel nodded. "Do you still feel that way, or is she the end of your journey, or more like it, the beginning?"
"I did a lot in the past 3 and half years. I saved and lost a lot."
"And still?" She needed an answer.
"I don't know." He looked straight at her. "But I wish it, if that's what you mean. This whole thing showed me, how much I need her and how much I care for her." Angel avoided using the 'love' word in front of Buffy, not to hurt her feelings.
"I see." She said with in quiet tone. "I better go take my position." She changed the subject and turned to leave.
"Buffy?" He grabbed her arm and she turned around. "Thank you."
"Sure." She smiled and started walking away. But half way through she stopped and turned around. "I hate this." She said to his surprise. "I hate that I lost you, that we lost each other." She took a big breath. "I hate the fact that you found with her what you couldn't find with me..."
"Buffy?" He tried interrupting but she stopped him.
"No Angel. Let me get it out." She asked and he quitted down. "But mostly I hate that we never got a real opportunity, a real chance to be together." She paused looking into his brown eyes. "I know our time has past and missed opportunities or not, you have clearly moved on."
"So have you." He said quickly before she had a chance to stop him.
"I guess I did." She smiled. "So it's time I say goodbye, cause once this is all over, I'm going home." She saw the awkwardness in his stare. "It's not because of you, or anything you said or did. Its just time."
"I'll miss you." He said.
"I know." She replied. "But I won't leave without a proper goodbye." She leaned forward and placed her lips onto his. She kissed him softly. It wasn't a passionate kiss. It was goodbye. He kissed her back gently, knowing, if nothing else, at least she understood. They broke the kiss and she backed away. "Fight well." She said as she walked away.
"Keep safe." he called out to her. She waved to him and walked around the corner.
***
She felt the pain crawling in. it was intense. She knew something was wrong. "Doctor." She said between breaths. "How's the baby."
"It's okay Cordelia just keep breathing you're doing well."
"And the baby?"
"Well as well." The doctor winked at her. "Now lets concentrate on getting it out, okay?" Cordy nodded as another contraction came her way.
***
"All the entrances are secured. "Connor informed Angel.
"Thank you for staying around." Said Angel.
"She was nice to me. She helped me." Connor explained his motives.
"Never the less. Thank you."
"Sure." Connor shrugged his shoulders and turned to return to his post.
"Maybe after this..." Angel said to him before he left. "Maybe we can sit down and talk."
"About?" Connor asked.
"You, me, us, life... whatever." Angel smiled.
"Maybe." Connor replied and walked away.
"Wait a minute." Angel had an idea. "Get everyone over here."
"Now?" Connor asked surprised.
"And do it fast." Angel added
***
"So what do you say? Can it work?" Angel looked at Willow waiting for an answer.
"Sure, I've done it before... but the nurses and doctors..."
"It's a chance we have to take." Angel replied. "Right now it's our only chance." He looked at the clock. "How long do you need?"
"Not long, but we need to set a perimeter. The smaller the better."
"How about the delivery room and its surroundings. Take a few feet to cover us all."
"The fewer the better." Said Willow.
"Okay so we spread out." Angel looked at the gang. "Buffy, Spike, you stay with me and Willow."
"And what about us? Gunn asked. "Are we suppose to runaway?" He was angry, he felt left out, as if Angel didn't need him now that he had the Scoobies to the rescue.
"That's exactly what you do." Angel replied. "You Make sure we have a way to get out of here once she delivers. The barrier won't hold forever."
"I don't like it." Gunn insisted.
"I'm not asking you to like it, I'm telling you to do it." Angel said firmly. If the circumstances were different Gunn would probably argue or take off, but right now he didn't have that luxury.
"Fine." He grumped as he walked away followed by the others.
"Be careful." Giles whispered to Buffy before he walked away. She smiled appreciating his never-ending concern.
"Giles?" Buffy called out to him. He turned. "Dawn?"
"I know. Don't worry." He smiled and walked away.
"You need to stay close to one another. I can't cover the entire ward." Willow instructed the, Before entering the delivery room.. They all huddled together.
"What is going on here?" One of the nurses came towards them.
"We're waiting for our friend." Buffy replied.
"I can see that." Said the nurse. "And that's why we have waiting areas, so if you could please..."suddenly the lights went off. "What the...?" the nurse looked around it was pitch black.
"They're coming." Angel whispered.
The nurses started running from room to room. "Get the auxiliary power on." One of the nurses said." Check on all the patience." The nurse that stood beside them ran off. Emergency lights turned on all around the ward. In all the commotion Angel was able to notice three warriors who were heading their way. "We're on our own." He said. "Stay alert they're Here."
***
TBC
Hi ppl,
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. I did my best finishing it as quickly as possible before I enter yet another busy period.
As always I'd appreciate your support and feedbacks, so don't be shy, review.
Unfortunately it may take mea bit longer to upload ch 22, but I'm sure you understand and be patience as always.
Thank you.
Nikka.