12
Act One
Cordelia walked into the classroom and took her seat in the third row. She glanced to her left where Jared usually sat, and smiled, pleased that she was the reason for his absence. She then looked to her right and made a mental note not to let Mitch borrow her notes. While waiting for the teacher to arrive, she found herself doodling in her notebook and her mind began to wander.
Give her a chance, said a voice inside Cordelia's mind as her pen made graceful loops on the paper. She could be a good friend, a confidant. Someone better than who you have now.
Cordelia closed her eyes for a moment and felt her pen stop moving in her hand. Her mind went blank and all she saw was Andromeda. In the distance, Cordelia heard her own name being called. At first, she thought it was Andromeda calling her, but then she realized it was an older voice.
She opened her eyes and saw Mrs. Jackson, the History teacher, standing at her desk, and several students were looking at her strangely. She glanced back at her notebook and saw that she had doodled the new girl's name several times.
"Are you feeling OK, Cordelia?"
"Um…yeah, I think so," she answered, turning her notebook to a clean page. "I haven't been getting enough sleep."
Mrs. Jackson looked at Cordelia with concern. "Are you feeling well enough to take the test?"
Cordelia's eyes widened with shock as she bolted upright in her seat. "There's a test today?"
The teacher knelt down beside her desk. "I've noticed you haven't been as attentive as you usually are. Is there anything you'd like to discuss with me?"
"Not really," she replied, and looked down at her notebook.
"Cordelia, I'm going to excuse you from class today, and you can take the test tomorrow. But I'm only doing this because you're normally such a good student. I want you to go home and get some sleep. Going without rest can hurt you immensely, so lay off the parties for a bit, OK?"
Cordelia nodded, and allowed Mrs. Jackson to continue. "So go home, and I'll see you tomorrow."
The Slayer smiled and collected her books. "Thanks, Mrs. Jackson."
The teacher returned her smile and waved goodbye.
Walking down the hall, Cordelia wondered what had come over her in class. She didn't feel tired. In fact, her new Slayer strength boosted her energy. She couldn't deny, however, that her concentration in class had slipped since she was called, and sometimes her homework went neglected in favor of slaying. And how could she forget a test? She never forgot a test.
She had this weird feeling ever since Mrs. Jackson woke her, something that almost felt like guilt. Cordelia Chase had never felt guilty about anything in her entire life. The world was her cherry, and she had no need to feel sorry for anything she had ever said or done.
Knowing this was something out of the ordinary, Cordelia thought she should tell Wesley, but couldn't stand the thought of running into Miranda again. So instead of going home, she made the turn to go into the library and get in some much-needed study time.
She opened the door to the library and walked to the table in the center. As she was about to sit down, Cordelia heard a familiar voice call her name, filling her heart with dread.
"Hello, Cordelia! I told Wesley that I'd see you in here soon."
Cordelia turned to find Miranda standing beside her, smiling.
"And, wow! Look at you here, in my school's library. With clothes on even. This is a surprise."
Miranda did not look ashamed, as Cordelia had hoped, but instead looked at Cordelia sympathetically. "I understand that seeing me in Wesley's apartment came as a shock. After all, you don't even know me. But I'd very much like that to change." Miranda's face softened a bit, then she smiled.
"So, what? Sleeping with him isn't enough for you? You want to work with me, too?"
Miranda laughed, infuriating Cordelia. "God, no! It doesn't work that way. What I mean is that I'd like for us to get to know one another better. We already have so much in common."
"As fun as that sounds, I just came here to study. I have a History test tomorrow," Cordelia said without enthusiasm.
"Well," Miranda began cheerfully, "You're in the right place, aren't you? Can I get you anything from the stacks?"
"No, I'm good," Cordelia said curtly, hoping to make Miranda flee.
But Miranda did not flee. She just nodded sweetly and went back to her position behind the circulation, checking in returned books. No sooner than Cordelia had settled down her book, a thought came to her.
"Is this a part-time gig for you or what?"
The comment took Miranda by surprise, as she was not expecting Cordelia to ask her any questions at all of a personal nature.
"Actually, it's full time. I was placed here after the previous librarian took a position elsewhere."
Cordelia put her book down and faced Miranda. "Was she with the you-know-who?"
"No, she was a civilian." The librarian paused. "I can't believe Wesley didn't tell you. But I guess being an active Watcher and Slayer really doesn't give you two the time for idle chit-chat," Miranda said with a smile.
When Miranda mentioned Cordelia and Wesley's status, the Slayer's demeanor changed. The more she heard Miranda's clipped English accent, the more she hated her. "Would you mind not announcing that in public?"
Miranda's face fell. "I'm sorry. There was no one in here and I…"
"Didn't think?" Cordelia finished for her. "You never know who might be walking by or eavesdropping. My best friends don't know. The guy I'm dating doesn't know."
"It didn't occur to me," Miranda said apologetically. "I'll be more careful next time."
Cordelia nodded, and looked at her watch. "Well, I really don't have a lot of time left…"
Miranda looked at Cordelia in distress. "Oh! I'm sorry. You need to study. I'll leave you alone."
"Thanks," Cordelia offered as she watched Miranda go back to organizing books. Only then did she turn around and begin to study.
No sooner than Cordelia had opened her History book to the chapter on the Hundred Years' War, the library door opened, causing both women to look up. Cordelia arched an eyebrow. Miranda could barely contain her glee. Wesley began to cough.
"Cordelia…. I…. didn't expect to see you…here," Wesley commented slowly when his coughs had subsided. His feet seemed cemented to the floor.
"I am a student."
"Yes, I know that…I just meant here…in the library," Wesley remarked and immediately regretted. The rage mounting in Cordelia's eyes said it all—he was going to pay for that comment later.
"I'm not allowed in the library now?" Cordelia was sure this was turning out to be the worst day of her life.
"I simply thought that you'd be in class," Wesley covered, taking his glasses off and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Whatever," she spat at him, returning to her book. Wesley turned his eyes toward Miranda, who was pretending to be interested in the book return.
He had to smile when he looked at her. Miranda didn't possess a beauty that struck you immediately the way Cordelia's did, but she was lovely nonetheless. She had pulled her light brown hair back, but she constantly fought a renegade strand that kept falling in front of her eyes. Looking at her, Wesley found his feet and made his way to Miranda's desk. She turned around and smiled at him sympathetically when he cleared his throat.
"I'm afraid she's not warming up to me," Miranda observed, biting her bottom lip.
"She will…eventually," Wesley offered. "Cordelia is not someone who accepts new people into her life easily."
"So I've seen," she said, brushing the errant strand from her face again, causing Wesley to smile. "What brings you by?"
"I have come to offer my services to you as a personal chauffeur."
"That's sweet, really, but you shouldn't bother. You have your Watcher's duties to attend to, and you don't need to concern yourself with my transportation. Besides, the weather here is so nice, how can I resist a good walk?"
Wesley smiled again and took one of her hands in his own. "True, but this is Sunnydale."
"Sunnydale doesn't get dangerous until after dark, and I can take care of myself. I received the same training as you," Miranda countered stubbornly.
"I'd feel so much better knowing you were safely in my car, and besides, we're going the same way," Wesley told her gently.
"Since you put it that way, how can I refuse? Pick me up around four?"
"Four it is. And may I ask what your plans are for dinner?" Wesley asked playfully.
"Someone needs to stop you two before I gag," Cordelia interjected, slamming her book shut. "You two have had sex! There is no reason for the reinterpretation of a Jane Austen movie!"
"Cordelia," Wesley began, but Cordelia cut him off.
"What are you going to say? That I'm out of line? No sir. You are out of line. Here you are making dinner plans with Snookums here when you should be training me."
"Actually, I was going to say that Jane Austen was a novelist. Those movies were based on her books."
Cordelia's jaw dropped, and glared at Wesley with such intensity that he began to fidget. When she was satisfied that she had made both of them sufficiently uncomfortable, Cordelia collected her books and stormed out of the library.
"How do you think I'm going to get along,
Without you, when I'm gone?
You took me for everything that I had,
And kicked me out on my own."
Cordelia had put the song on repeat. It alleviated some of the anger that had pent up inside her as she slammed her fist into the weighted bag to the rhythm of the bass line, thinking of all the people she'd love to bring to their knees.
Aura. Harmony. Mitch. Andromeda. Wesley. Miranda.
At the thought of her Watcher's new girlfriend, Cordelia spun around and kicked the bag with such power that the chain suspending it from the ceiling broke. She stood there looking at it, panting, and thinking of Miranda.
"Who the hell does she thing she is anyway? Waltzing into our lives unannounced, then taking a job at my school. I don't know what Wesley sees in her anyway, with her dumb mousy brown hair."
A knock on the door quieted Cordelia's conversation with herself. She marched up the stairs and opened the basement door to find Wesley standing in front of her, wearing a t-shirt and khakis, and holding a bag of weapons.
"What?" she asked him sharply.
"It's five o'clock," he began. "I'm here to resume out normal training sessions."
"Is she with you?"
Wesley smiled and shook his head. "No, she is not."
"Good." Satisfied, Cordelia turned on the step and walked back down with Wesley following her closely.
"I see you got started without me," he stated, noting the loud music and the weighted bag lying on the floor.
"A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do," Cordelia replied, turning around to face her Watcher. "I thought you had plans tonight."
"We decided that maybe tonight wasn't the best night."
Cordelia nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"And you were right. My concentration should lie in training you to become a better Slayer, not in focusing on my love life." Wesley had humbled considerably since that night Cordelia first saw he and Miranda together.
"Well, spare me the sordid details, OK? There are some things that I don't want to know," Cordelia conceded, the corners of her mouth betraying her heart with a smile.
Seeing his Slayer smile, Wesley started a new conversation. "Shall we get started? I brought something new for us to try."
Cordelia, intrigued, arched an eyebrow. "By all means."
Wesley opened the bag and withdrew two swords.
"I think you've seen one too many pirate movies."
"On the contrary, actually."
"You mean you've never seen a pirate movie? How sad," Cordelia commented.
Wesley exhaled loudly. "Glad to see you've gotten your sense of humor back. I meant to say that there are vampire factions and many demons that are highly skilled in sword fighting. You won't find may who rely solely on hand-to-hand combat," he said, handing Cordelia a sword.
"So am I only supposed to use it when faced with a sword-wielding maniac, or can I use it to chop off a few vamp head if the mod strikes?" She asked, inspecting the sword closely.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to place it in your weapons bag for added protection," replied the Watcher as he slid a protective chest pad over his body.
"What's that for?" Cordelia asked, pointing the sword at Wesley.
"My protection," he responded as he picked his sword up and placed himself in the ready position. "Now, follow my lead."
She commenced rather awkwardly, working to merely ward off Wesley's thrusts. Slowly, she began to understand his footwork and the subtlety of the movements of his arms. Son, she was able not only to defend herself, but also to move on the offensive. The clang of the metal swords rang out in dissonance against the driving bass line of the song repeating on the CD player.
"Tell me this, Cordy," Wesley inquired between blocks, finally succeeding in knocking her sword to the floor. "Why Queen?"
Cordelia shrugged, leaning over to retrieve her sword. "Prepares me for battle. You know, 'another one bites the dust.'"
"How appropriate," Wesley remarked, swiftly delivering a knee to his pupil's abdomen, causing her to fall to the ground. When she rolled over onto her back, she was facing the tip of Wesley's sword.
"What's going on?"
"You must never turn your back on an adversary," Wesley informed her. "Never."
"Fine, whatever. Just let me up and we'll start over."
"Do you think the next demon you face will give you a chance to start over? There are no 'do-overs' in battle."
Cordelia was beginning to get irked with Wesley's antics. "I mean it, Wes. Let me up or I'll kick your ass."
"I guess you'll have to kick my arse."
That put her over the edge. She quickly kicked Wesley's arm away from her, giving her a chance to grab her sword and jump to her feet. She pointed the sword at him.
"You wanna go, Head Boy? Let's go!" She came at him with her sword, but he blocked her every movement.
"I'll thank you to not call me 'Head Boy' from this moment on," he declared, striking Cordelia's sword, then making a broad stroke at her legs, forcing her to jump over his sword. As she descended from her leap, she brought the sword down at an angle toward his shoulder, but he spun around in time to miss the blow, and stopped her sword once again. Cordelia made an indecipherable sound.
"Did you just growl?" Wesley asked her while stabbing at her stomach.
"I'm getting frustrated," Cordelia answered, jumping back then lunging forward toward him again. "I want to win."
"You're getting much better, but your frustration will be your downfall. If your opponent can sense your aggravation, they will have an advantage in winning," Wesley said, pushing Cordelia's sword away from his chest. "And the only way to win is to kill your opponent."
Cordelia went silent, concentrating on a way to knock Wesley' sword from his hand, and the only sounds in the room was the occasional grunt from Cordelia, the clang of metal on metal, and the music on repeat.
"There are plenty of ways you can hurt a man,
And bring him to the ground.
You can beat him,
You can cheat him,
You can treat him bad and leave him
When he's down."
She got better with every thrust of her sword, and Wesley became increasingly nervous by Cordelia's continued silence. Finally, his curiosity won over. "You don't want to kill me, do you?"
"God, no. Maim, maybe. But I'd never kill a human."
Their exchange carried on, Cordelia now as proficient as Wesley with a sword. Without warning, she swung out at Wesley, and when he reached out to block her, she kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the floor and sending his sword sliding across the floor.
Wesley groaned as he attempted to pull himself up on his arms, and saw Cordelia, sword still in hand and smirking. "Nice shot."
Cordelia tossed her sword aside and kneeled down to where Wesley lay on the floor. "I told you I wanted to win," she said smugly, offering him a hand.
"I didn't say that you'd won," Wesley retorted as he grabbed her hand. "I only said, 'nice shot.'"
She pulled him to his feet, and they stood there, looking at one another. Cordelia opened her mouth, as if to say something, but seemed to change her mind, and closed it again.
"What?" Wesley asked her, his suspicions spiking.
"Nothing."
"Come on, out with it. You've never held back before."
Cordelia looked at him, then closed her eyes and sighed. "Do you love her?"
"I…um…what?" Wesley stammered, not expecting this question from Cordelia.
"I asked you if you love her."
This time it was Wesley's turn to close his eyes. He cocked his head to the side, and Cordelia could tell he was really weighing her question in his mind.
"Do you want the truth?" He asked her when he opened his eyes again.
"No. I want you to lie to me," she said with the roll of her eyes. "Of course I want the truth."
"I don't know. Honestly. She's only been here for a short while, but we have this history together and that makes our relationship rather complicated."
Cordelia nodded. "So you want to sleep with her, but you don't know if you're in love with her?"
"Like I said, we have a history together. It's not as if she's a stranger that I met in a bar."
"But you did meet her in a bar."
"Yes, but, she wasn't a stranger to me. I've known her since the Watcher's Academy." Wesley took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. "What about you and the boy?"
"We haven't had sex," Cordelia said plainly. "We've just started dating. Oh, wait, I forgot. Time means nothing to you."
"I don't make it a point to become involved in your personal life," Wesley said, straightening his posture.
Cordelia laughed out loud. "No, not at all. You just prance into my life with all your fancy talk of me being the Chosen One and you take over every aspect of my life." They stared at one another, and suddenly Cordelia came to a realization. "You're trying to tell me that my questions about you and Miranda are none of my business." She felt the anger that had subsided in her just a half an hour ago reappear, and she made a tight fist.
"Ow!"
She looked down and realized that she had been squeezing Wesley's hand. She dropped it immediately.
"Wesley, I'm so sorry! I forget my own strength sometimes."
"Evidently," he said, rubbing his hand.
"I'll bring you some ice from the kitchen, OK?"
"No, don't bother. Really, I'm fine. Just, um, go get ready for patrol," Wesley advised through his pain.
Cordelia hesitated, but nodded and cut off the CD player before hurrying up the stairs. Safely upstairs in her bedroom, she allowed herself a deep breath. The familiar tingle in the pit of her stomach had come creeping back when Wesley had grabbed her hand. She hadn't even realized that they had been holding hands when they were talking until he yelled out in pain. She took a second deep breath and dialed Mitch's number quickly, not bothering to sit down.
"Hello?" Mitch's mother, Sylvia, answered.
"Hi, Mrs. Walker. This is Cordelia Chase. We met at the hospital?"
"Oh, yes, of course, how could I forget you? If not for you, who knows what would have happened to Mitch?"
This made Cordelia smile. "I was wondering if Mitch was around."
"No, Hon, sorry. He said he'd made plans to show a new student around Sunnydale."
"What?"
"What was her name? It was such an odd name…."
"Andromeda," Cordy answered without hesitation.
"Yes," Sylvia answered. "That's it. What a strange name."
"He told me we were going to dinner tonight," Cordelia said, anger boiling up inside her.
"Oh," Sylvia began. "You know how busy he is as Student Body President. He probably forgot, but I'll tell him to call as soon as he gets in."
"Don't bother, Sylvia. I'll see him at school tomorrow," she said before turning the phone off. Cordelia was beginning to hate Andromeda more and more by the minute. She opened her closet and surveyed the clothes inside. Normally, in such a crucial moment, she would choose a miniskirt and heels, but that wasn't feasible for patrol. Then something shiny at the back of her closet caught her eye. She reached in and pulled out a pair of black leather pants, a smile spreading across her face. If there was one thing her mother taught her, it was to wear your favorite clothes when you felt stressed. She threw the pants on the bed and began a frantic search through her closet for the perfect top. Once the top was located, she headed off for the shower.
In the car, Wesley was nervous. Cordelia had taken an excessive amount of time in the shower, and it was very dark when she was finally ready. Granted, she was stunning, but there really was no need to dress up when patrolling for vampires.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked worriedly.
"Slaying, remember?" she answered him in an aggravated tone.
"And we have to risk life and limb to get there? We'll be in enough danger facing the actual vampires."
"You know, I'm sick of men. Especially those of you who don't even think enough of me to call me to break a date." Her foot pressed down on the accelerator, and the car sped up through the streets of Sunnydale.
"This is about the boy, isn't it? You're going to kill us both and it's over the boy?"
"Well, you know what? A little common courtesy isn't too much to ask, is it? I mean, you make a date with someone, you don't just cancel and not tell the other party." Cordelia turned the wheel sharply left, causing the tires to squeal as she made the turn.
"We are going to have a serious talk about double standards if I get out of this car alive," Wesley said, grabbing the dashboard in front of him.
"Don't talk to me about double standards, OK? You're a man, and I'm a woman. I can't even begin to tell you how many 'double standards'…"
"For God's sake, Cordelia! Keep your hands on the wheel!" Wesley screamed. Cordelia had been making quote marks with her fingers as she spoke, and at the speed the car was moving, almost caused them to run off the road.
"See what you made me do? You shouldn't talk to me when I'm upset and driving. Geez, Wesley." She stomped on the brake, and the car skidded to a stop in front of a cemetery. Unbuckling her seat belt, she looked over at Wesley, who was holding his chest. "You OK?"
He widened his eyes and breathed deeply before unbuckling his own belt. "Yes. Just need a moment—to ready myself for battle."
She opened the back door and pulled the weapons bag out, and saw that Wesley was still seated. She walked around to the passenger side and knocked on his window, signaling him to get out of the car.
"You are such a girl sometimes," Cordelia said with a smile as she headed toward the cemetery, the weapons bag draped casually over her shoulder.
