I don't own any of these characters; I am simply using them for my own amusement. I am making no money off of this.

Rachel

> > > > > >

Cordelia Chase walked into Angel Investigations with a smile on her face. She didn't know why, but she was incredibly happy.

She hummed a little tune as she picked up a stack of files off her desk. She filed them cheerfully before returning to her desk and booting up her computer.

"What's got you so happy?"

Cordelia didn't even jump at the sudden voice behind her. "Can't a girl be in a good mood?"

Angel nodded. "A girl, yes. You, I'm not so sure."

She made a face at him. "Since when did you develop a sense of humor?"

"Since you've been in a good mood."

"Another one! And you say I'm in a good mood."

"Seriously, though. You seem really happy."

Cordelia shrugged. "I am."

"Did you get a call back or something?"

She made another face. "I don't think so. I don't know why I'm so happy. I just am."

"Well, I'm glad. You deserve a break."

"A break from what?" Fred asked, coming into the room.

"A break from being miserable," Cordy chirped.

Fred nodded. "We could all use a break from that."

Angel nodded his consent. "Maybe we should go out to dinner tonight."

Cordelia eyed him suspiciously. "And what's got you in such a good mood?"

He shrugged. "Don't know. Life's pretty good right now. I'm happy, Connor's happy. Life's just good."

"You mean the unlife," Cordy quipped. "And don't get too happy. I wouldn't want to have to stake you. That would surely ruin my good mood."

Angel smiled. "Wouldn't want to do that."

Cordelia rolled her eyes and turned back to her computer. "I think I like you better when you're broody."

Angel was about to say something when Connor cried. As he held his son and talked to him soothingly, Cordelia watched them. She loved Connor to pieces, but sometimes the ache for a baby of her own was unbearable. Other times, however, she knew that she couldn't handle a baby, not the way Angel could. Not alone.

She shook her head, clearing away all baby thoughts. No need to ruin a rare good mood. She started entering information into the computer, vaguely aware of Angel taking Connor into the other room to play with Fred. She heard Wesley mumbling in his office and Gunn talking about training. She tuned them out, however, and let her mind drift.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been working when the phone on her desk rang.

She picked it up. "Angel Investigations. We help the hopeless."

"Delia? Is that you?"

"Mom?"

"I'm so glad I caught you. I tried your apartment, but you weren't there."

"What's wrong?"

"It's Daddy. He had a heart attack last night. He died."

"Oh my God. What-oh my God."

"We're having a service tomorrow evening. I wanted to have it in the morning, but his associates didn't want to miss work."

"Oh my God."

"Delia, please. Anyway, the service is tomorrow at seven. If you want to come to the house, we can ride together. If not, I'll give you directions."

"I'll come to the house."

"OK. See you later, dear."

After she hung up the phone Cordelia sat quietly, staring at the wall. Tears gathered in her eyes.

Wesley cleared his throat behind her. "Cordelia? Are you alright?"

She nodded her head, unable to talk. Tears spilled onto her cheeks.

Angel put his hands on her shoulders. "Cordy, let us help you," he said in a low voice.

She sniffled. "That was my mom. My father died last night." Saying it out loud made it real, and she started crying.

Angel leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. She cried harder. She felt Fred place Connor in her lap and wrap her arms around Cordelia as well. Wes and Gunn each placed a hand on her shoulder.

After a few minutes she laughed and pushed her hair away from her face. "Look at me. I'm a mess. You'd think my father and I were close or something."

Angel watched as she played with Connor's hair. "He's still your father, Cordy."

"But we weren't close. At all. His idea of bonding was giving me a credit card. Not that I was much better," she said bitterly.

"That was a long time ago," Wesley said. "You're a different person now."

Cordelia shook her head. "Apparently not. All I can think is how much I don't want to go back to that place. That town, those people. I'm so horrible."

Angel shook his head. "Cordy, you are not a horrible person," he said firmly. "You were miserable in Sunnydale. Of course you wouldn't want to go back there."

"But I have to. I told my mom that I would." She closed her eyes and tears spilled onto her cheeks.

Angel took her hand in his. "How about I go with you?"

"What?"

"I'll go with you. Maybe it'll be a little easier that way."

"But what about Connor?"

"We'll bring him with us. He's never been on a road trip before."

"And we'll take care of everything here," Fred said, pointing to herself, Wes, and Gunn. "Don't worry about anything here."

Cordelia looked at Angel. "You don't have to do this," she said in a low voice. "Sunnydale wasn't too good to you either."

"Cordy, your father just died. You shouldn't have to face that all alone."

"I just want to make sure that you're sure-"

"I'm positive. When do we have to leave?"

"The service is tomorrow night, so to be safe, we should probably leave this evening."

Angel nodded. "We'll be ready. You should go home and pack. Get some rest. I'll call you later."

Cordelia nodded. "Yeah, I think I will. I'm drained."

Gunn stood up. "I'll walk you home."

Cordelia started to protest, but stopped when she saw the looks on all three men's faces. "OK, thanks."