Chapter Four: I Fell… That's Why

The next day seemed to go on fine. No one talked about what happened yesterday, and Cordy had her friends back under her control. Harmony had a tough day, though, she had to deal with payback Cordelia Chase Style. But for Cordy it had turned out to be a really good day.

"Hey, Cordy, wait up." And it's over, Cordy thought to herself as Buffy and Willow came walking up to her, much like yesterday afternoon. "What happened yesterday? Xander told us you cried in your last class." That was it, she told herself, that little weasel was going to get it soon. Maybe a Prada heal up his ass, yeah she said to herself that would be nice.

"Yeah, I had a tough day, but that's over." Cordy really didn't want to be seen with these people, so she kept her explanation short and sweet. She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear to show that she rolled her eyes in the perfect Cordelia way, but she was forgetting why her hair was perfectly blocking her face. "Thanks for the concern, but I don't need it from the two of you. So, you can leave now."

"What happened to your eye?" Buffy asked. Cordy almost laughed out loud at the concern, it sounded too real to be coming from Buffy, but then she noticed that the shield she had made to cover up last nights injury was gone. "Did someone hit you?"

"Oh, that," She pointed to her eye, she had to think fast, and play it off as nothing. "No, I was walking down the hall and fell…that's why. The maid had just waxed the floors, and I wasn't being careful. I hit the corner of a bookshelf. It's not like you haven't had a black eye before. I'll be fine." Cordy couldn't believe that even through all the eye make up Buffy could still see the bruise. She guessed it was because in her line of work Buffy had to cover a lot of her bruises up too. Cordy knew that Buffy could see when someone covered something up, even a zit.

Right after school she went to Angel's to talk. She had to tell someone what happened last night and he was the first to come to her mind. She'd hoped he would be okay with her just coming over, because she didn't know how to get a hold of him other wise.

"Angel, are you here?" She was a little scared to come and just walk in, but it was Angel and he probably wouldn't hurt her, unless, of course, he decided to be the evil murderous vampire that likes to attack her on a daily basis.

"Cordelia? What are you doing here?" He was kind of confused to see her here. He didn't expect to talk to her again, but even if she did want to talk, he thought it would be when the sun was down, which meant they could go for a walk. He was a little nervous about her staying here, he knew she might be a bit uncomfortable, knowing that they would be alone.

"I'm sorry I didn't call first, but I didn't know your number, if you even have a number. I just really need someone to talk to. I'll leave if you have other things to do." Cordelia looked at him with her face full of worry. He could see that something was really bothering her, and he wanted to help the best her could.

"No, it's fine. I'm ready to listen, I'm here for you Cordelia." Angel said. He was really nervous having her here in his house, he didn't know what to say of do. But he told himself that it was just a sort visit, but he remembered how much fun he had had the night before on their walk. Once he had that in mind he relaxed a little.

They sat in his living room in front of a huge fireplace talking about what her mother had done the night before, and all the other times. He held her when she started to cry, even though it was a bold move for the both of them. She was glad that he was there to comfort her, she was starting to feel like he was the only person she could depend on to be there for her.

The time flew by and it was dark before they knew it. He had insisted on walking her home, and she accepted without that much of a protest. She decided that it would be nice to lighten the mood, so she brought up a subject they could both enjoy.

"Oh my God you will never believe what Xander said in history today." Cordy started laughing before she even told the whole story. She was glad to see that Angel had also found Xander Harris to be a complete idiot.

They started talking about what Xander had said, and how he had detention for the rest of the week, and then she branched off the other humorous things that had happened. Angel was really enjoying being with Cordelia, he liked the way she could always find something to make him laugh. She was nothing like he had expected her to be, before he actually got to know her. She was full of life, and had so many different personalities. He liked how she kept him guessing as to which she planned to change into next.

When they finally reached Cordelia's house, they sat on her porch for a while. It was a comfortable silence, nothing either of them had expected. It was nice just knowing that they weren't alone, and the other was there when needed. Cordelia made the mistake of looking at her watch, it was almost eleven o'clock, she was late for her curfew and she was going to get in to it with her mother about it if she caught her on the porch with Angel.

"Well this was fun. We talked all night. I didn't know you could handle conversations this long." Cordelia teased Angel. He stood and gave her a smile. She was glad she had told someone about what was going on with her, and that they cared about it. She finally felt wanted.

"Yeah, we can do it again tomorrow if you want, we can even go to the Bronze…" Angel decided to put the Bronze out there. He didn't really want to go, mostly because they couldn't talk there, but she was always there with her friends and he didn't want to make her feel like she couldn't still see them.

"That sounds like a plan. I'll see you tomorrow." Cordy was surprised by his offer, and she was glad to take it, but she knew that they would probably never make it to the Bronze, she wanted to keep him all to herself. If they went out it would risk them meeting Buffy and her friends, and Cordy wanted Angel to pay attention only to her. She thought it was strange to think like that, but it was how she felt.

They both stood on her porch now standing face to face. She looked at him straight faced for a little bit then she had to laugh. He looked at her and stared laughing too. He didn't know why, but seeing her with a smile on her face made him happy. He never wanted to see her crying or scared again.

"Okay, I have to go in now." She said to him as their laughs began to dissipate. She looked at him, and thought about what she should do next, and then she kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, goodnight Angel." She whispered softly as she pulled away from him, and started walking into her house.

"Goodnight." He said. She could tell she had caught him off guard, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time.

Once she was up the stairs nearing her room, her nightmare began. She missed her curfew and her mother was waiting at her bedroom door. The last time she missed her curfew she had to spend tow days at home because she couldn't move, she was in so much pain. She didn't think tonight was going to be much different.

Okay this is it for now! I hope this feeds all those reading...remember reviews always make the story move a little faster! H.B.