New Beginnings

Chapter 1: Alone

A/N I know that Doyle died slightly after Thanksgiving in ATS but for my story to work, I'm going to pretend he got to spend New Year with the rest of Angel Investigations too, so instead of Angel going to stalk/ look out for Buffy at Thanksgiving, he did so over Christmas.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Doyle, Cordelia, Angel and everyone else in my story belong to Joss Whedon

Doyle sat alone in his empty apartment drinking warm beer (his fridge had broken the week before) and stared at a Christmas film on TV he'd seen a million and one times and still couldn't recall the name of. He was lonely and he missed Angel and Cordelia. He'd been pleased when Angel road off into the sunset to save his girl and gave him and Cordy time off until he returned, but now he missed Angel Investigations. He wished he was at work, getting ready to fight whatever danger they were facing next. And most of all, he missed Cordelia. Since Angel Investigations had been formed, Doyle had had the excuse to see Cordy nearly everyday, but now they weren't at work, he hadn't seen her since Angel disappeared, which was nearly a week ago. He was used to being lonely. Being an outcast would do that to you, but now he had friends. For the first time since he discovered his demon side, he had real friends.

He wondered what his friends were up to. He was sure Angel was still in Sunnydale, he would have dropped in to say hi on Christmas day if he had returned on time, but six days later, there was still no sign of him. He must still be pining over the Slayer. Cordelia was probably there too, spending the holiday season with her family, though she hadn't actually told him her plans. So that just left him to defend Los Angeles alone if he got one of his mind splitting visions. He gazed longingly at the phone, willing it to ring. Willing Angel to call and end his seemingly endless boredom. But it stayed silent. Just as it had all the other days he'd wordlessly begged it to ring. He sighed and flicked channels. There was nothing lonelier than spending Christmas by yourself. He glanced at two packages in the corner. He'd saved up to buy his only two friends in the world Christmas presents, and they hadn't come around to get them yet. He knew he's give Angel his whenever he decided to come back from Sunnydale, but he didn't think he'd have the courage to give Cordelia her present. He'd bought Angel a sword. He'd originally planned to go for something a bit less work related, but decided in the end that this would probably be what Angel would appreciate the most. As for Cordelia, he'd bought her a beautiful necklace. The best he could afford, although he knew that she was probably used to a hundred times better from her rich parents.

Suddenly the phone rang, jerking Doyle out of his stupor. He grabbed the phone and said

"Hello?"

"Hey Doyle, it's Cordelia"

"Hey Cordy" he said surprised. He didn't think she would be bothered ringing him "What's up?"

"Have you got any plans for tonight? Because there's this party going on in my building to bring in the New Year. It's really supposed to be for actors and actresses only, but if you want to come, I'm sure they'd let you in..."

"Yeah I'll come!" he said a bit too enthusiastically. He couldn't believe that he was going to get to spend New Year's Eve with Cordelia. Maybe he'd even get to kiss her to bring in the New Year.

"Good, I'll come pick you up around seven" she told him "Oh and Doyle, don't dress like a pimp as usual!"