Chappy 7-----Cursed

Summary- Canala discovers the truth of why Angel has not slept with her.

Thanxs- to my reviewers as always, and for those that gave just a little criticism love u for telling me ways to make this evil story better.

Disclaimer: According to the bloody wankers in this lovely institution I am in some old chap named Joss owns Buffy not me. These people have no clue what they are talking about, but to appease them I will say he does. I also do not own the song "Maybe an Angel". It belongs to Heather Nova

Canala stood outside the hallway of her apartment, waiting for Angel to say something, anything, but of course, Angel, being well Angel was silent. "So, did you have a nice time?" Canala asked a little nervously, she was a little unsure of how to have this little conversation, how do you switch from going to your parent's house for dinner to shagging in your bedroom.

Angel looked at Canala pensively. How was he supposed to tell the woman he loved that he had once been in love with her mother? More importantly, how was he supposed to tell Canala, whom he knew had more plans besides talking for the night, about his little problem called the gypsy curse?

"It was definitely an experience," Angel said referring to the dinner. He still was not sure why Buffy and Spike had pretended not to know him, but recalling Spike is parting words, Angel knew that it was just an elaborate act.

"So," Canala said, "do you want to come in for a while?" Angel knew that it was inevitable that the moment would come when he would have to tell Canala the truth about his curse, he just did not think it would be this soon. Sighing, knowing that it was now or never he accepted her invitation.

When they entered the apartment, Angel found himself looking around wondering how he could have missed who Canala was. Everywhere he looked there, were touches of Buffy and Spike, a stuffed pig reminiscent of Mr. Gordo sitting on the couch, a black leather jacket draped around the back of the couch, and, in the centre of the mantle, a small silver ring? (A.N. yes, it is the claddaugh ring I just had to have it in here) Angel picked up the ring gently. He was so caught up in thought that he did not hear Canala come up behind him.

"What are you doing?" Canala said startling Angel. "Just looking at this," he said showing her the ring. "Oh," Canala said disdainfully, "That was my mother's she gave it to me when I turned 17. A friend of hers gave it to her on her 17th birthday, and she thought it would be apporiate to give to me on mine." Angel was dumbstruck, he could not believe that through all the years, and her marriage to Spike she had kept that ring, even passed it to her own daughter.

Angel looked back from the ring to Canala. He remembered when he had given Buffy this ring on her 17th birthday, and the subsequent events that followed, and knew that he had to tell Canala about the curse now before history repeated itself in a horrific manner.

"Canala, can we talk." Angel asked his tone serious. Canala looked at him. She knew this tone well. He used the one when he was sedate about a matter. Canala knew that when Angel got that tone it was something big and big now was not what she needed. Well, she did need a big something, but not on of Angel's serious talks.

Canala knew that if she wanted her plan to follow through she would have to act fast. "Sure hun just let me change out of this dress, it's a little tight, and it's been bothering me all night." This was of course a lie, the dress was actualy quiet comfortable, but Canala knew she would have to act fast if she did not want Angel going all serious mode on her.

"Alright, go change." Angel told Canala, then he proceded to sit down on the couch and brood. Angel just knew that Canala would dump him the minute she found out about the curse. He had already prepared himself for the heartbreak, when Canala emerged from her room wearing an almost see through white nightgown.

Canala walked slowly into the room, she was tired of being subtle, she knew what she wanted and was determined to get it. Angel looked at ther wide eyed. He had intended to tell Canala about the curse before she came on to him so strong, but now it was too late. She wanted him, and Angel was even more certain that once he told her he would be dumped.

Canala walked over to Angel who was sitting on the couch. He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a finger to his lips to silence him. "Whatever it is it can wait." Canala said as she sat down, straddled him, and began to kiss him fervently.

Angel looked upon Canala. It would be so easy for him to lose himself in her, to forget about the curse that bound him, to let himself be free, but Angel could not and would not do that. He would not allow his soul an opportunity to escape and a chance for Angelus to return. His own happiness for a brief moment was not worth the despair that it would cause Canala and the world if Angelus were unbound.

Sighing, Angel gently pushed Canala off him. "What's wrong?" She questioned, "Don't you want me?" Angel looked upon Canala with pity. It truly was not fair to the girl to have to deal with this; she deserved a life with out darkness and despair. Then he recalled another he had once harboured the same feelings toward. Buffy. Even now, the thought of her made him shudder with pleasure, and she was his girlfriend's mother!

"Yes," Angel said, "I want you but, I just can not do this." Then Canala asked the question that Angel dreaded, "Why?" Angel stared at her gravely. Why had he allowed himself to become involved with someone when he knew that eventually she would want to take the relationship to the next step?

"I have a curse." Angel replied monotonously. "What?" Canala asked very perplexed. "I have a curse that comes along with the whole soul thing." "And this has what to do with sex again?" Canala asked wondering what type of curse was stopping her and Angel from shagging each other senseless. "When I was cursed with the soul," Angel said, "it was to make me suffer." "And?" Canala probed. "The curse came with a loophole on how it could be removed." "Oh," Canala said, "I still don't get how this relates to shagging." Angel had to chuckle on Canala's use of a British slang word that Spike had been unnaturatually fond of, but he turned serious again. "If I experience one moment of true happiness the curse will be undone and Angelus will be released." "Oh! Oh." Canala said realizing the ramifications of what Angel had said sinking in. Then Canala said the strangest thing, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Angel looked at Canala shocked. "Aren't you going to break up with me?" Canala looked at Angel incredulously. "Why the hell would I do that?" Canala asked Angel genuinely confused. "Well because I can't… I mean 'because we can't… you know." "That doesn't matter to me." Canala said, "I love you, and if being with you means not really being with you then I deal with it." "Do you mean it?" Angel said hardly daring to hope. "Of course I do. How could I help but love you?" Canala asked, "When every time I'm around you I feel whole."

Angel looked at Canala again before, in one quick motion capturing her lips in his own. He released them quickly, knowing that they could not go further. "Stay here tonight?" Canala asked Angel, his answer was a kiss.

I put my hands where your wings should be

I put my feet where the earth should be

And I can't see very far

And when you said you were dead I hung on.

Something I feel you are an angel or maybe you

Could've been. something out here you are an angel

Or maybe you could've been.

I've got this light hangs over me. I've got this fear

Cuts into me and I can't see very far. And when you

Said you were dead I hung on. Something I feel you are an Angel

Or maybe you could've been. Something out here you are

An angel or maybe you could have been.See how they run and nobody said you would go.Something I feel you are an angel or maybe you could've been. Something out here you are an angel or you could've been.See how they run. See how they run. All the same all the same out here