Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Angel the series.
Synopsis: This is the third story in the Soul series I am working on. In order the stories are The Price of a Soul, The Judging of a Soul, and now The Weight of a Soul. The Council is having it's own inner-struggles but have been forced to stop their pursuit of Faith. Just as they are breathing a sigh of relief, once member of Council is killed and sends a package to the team that has caught them all by surprise.
Chapter Seven
Angel glanced around, still he saw nothing so he kept walking. He thought, as he walked, there wasn't much else he could be doing.
"Turn around, lesser being."
"Tell us what you have learned."
He frowned and turned, again the vast emptiness was replaced with the two siblings and a pair of thrones behind them. He looked around but it was just them.
"Where is Cordelia?"
"That is unimportant."
"You refused the seer."
Angel went to argue but instead reached into his pocket and pulled out the cards.
"This test, it involves these, and I'm missing one. Where is she?"
The twins looked to each other then nodded. Angel just watched until there was a tap at his shoulder, turning around he saw Cordelia and realized he was feeling relieved. She pulls up her card and glances over to the twins then back to Angel.
"You're right, your missing a card, but, you have to answer them first Angel. This is, the last step. You can -"
She winced and Angel grabbed her shoulders then glared at the twins.
"Why can't she tell me?"
"It is not time yet."
"The test must remain pure."
Cordelia shook her head and grabbed his arms.
"I'm okay. Just, trust me, it's worth it, Angel."
She looked up at him hoping he'd listen and he nodded.
"What I learned? Photographic memory, I could just recite everything everyone told me, but that's not it is it?"
He glanced to Cordelia and let go of her arms to turn and look at the Powers.
"I get it, I've hidden. I've dwelt in the fact that I'm not alive, waiting until I am. But I may not be mortal, human, but I'm not dead either. If I want to some day be a man, I need to live like one. Which means living a life. One that includes people. The people I care about, and care about me."
Cordelia sighed happily and nodded. Stepping to him she put a hand on his chest.
"Can you feel your soul?"
Angel covered her hand with his own. Even in this place where things were obviously not really real, he felt her hand. Felt it warm his chest, right where his heart should be.
"I can."
"A soul is a gift."
"It is the light that guides you in the dark."
Cordelia looked up at him.
"Angel, can you feel it? Your demon?"
Angel frowned.
"Angelus?"
"Angel, your soul is not a burden and Angelus is not a separate person. It's easier, sure to blame it on being another person and in a way you were. I was a different person in high school then I am now."
"Cordelia, that's different."
"How?"
"You didn't kill people!"
She shrugged.
"Maybe not physically. Angel, the point is, as long as you think of it as two different people, Angel the hero and Angelus the villain, you can't move on."
Angel closed his eyes.
"Maybe I don't deserve to move on."
Cordelia lifted her other hand to his face and waited for him to open his eyes.
"Maybe not, but that doesnt' mean you shouldn't try. People, change Angel. They grow. Some, might take longer than others."
She grinned. Angel sighed.
"So what do I need to do?"
"You need to accept that you are Angelus, that your the same people. That Angelus is who you were, but not who you are. Most importantly, you have to know that it's true with or without a soul."
She pulled her hand away and looked to the twins.
"But it's your choice. You can, leave now, and everything will be just like it was. Hopefully you learn a little and are closer to your shanshu, or, you can accept that Angelus is part of you and that you are deciding to change, as a person. If you can do that, you will have taken another step and be rewarded."
Angel realized she was nervous, but wasn't understanding completely why.
"What happens to you?"
"That is none of your concern."
"She is a seer and has chosen to continue on that path."
"You asked me what I learned, and I learned that I need my seer, so this ends right now if you can't tell me she comes home with me."
The two shared a look again then nodded to him.
"Agreed."
"Do you wish to continue on the final task?"
Angel nodded.
"So be it."
The two of them disappeared and he frowned, and turned to look at Cordelia. She smiled weakly at him.
"Cor, tell me."
She shook her head and put her card in his pocket then took his face in her hands. He could feel her shaking lightly and trying not to cry.
"You can do this Angel, I know you can."
Leaning forward she kissed him softly and whispered.
"I saw it. I know and I'm happy for you."
He was panicking even more now. He grabbed her wrists.
"Cordelia, you saw what? Tell me."
She took a breath and shook her head.
"I can't, you have to do it on your own. Listen to me, I want you to know something. I love you. I'm in love with you. No matter what, I'll always love you. Remember that for me okay? No matter what, you choose. I need to at least tell you that."
She stepped back and Angel reached for her.
"Cor I -"
He couldn't finish. Skip was right behind him and slammed an open hand against his back then pulled his hand away into a fist. Angel stumbled forward and gasped for breath, the pain was immense and all to familiar.
"No, Cor, run, my soul. . . "
She held her hands tightly in front of her and watched, raising her eyes to Skip she nodded.
"You sure you got it?"
"He'll come through. I know it."
"If you say so. Good luck."
And Skip was gone. Angel fell forward and groaned. He went still and Cordelia stared waiting.
AA
Lorne was pacing, watching the circle with a sharp eye. Faith had woke first, then Wesley, then Spike. They'd all had the same question, what went wrong? Each gave similar stories. They'd seen Cordelia and that Skip demon. They were there to help Angel but Cordelia wouldn't give them more information than that. Other than, to trust her. Wesley now sat nursing a cup of tea while Spike sat with his head in his hands. Faith finally kicked off the cupboard she sat on next to Willow and stood up.
"So? See anything?"
Lorne stopped and turned.
"Yeah and it's not good. I don't like this kids, I don't like this at all."
"Join th' club, mate."
Spike raised his head and looked over the two of them. He stood up and started pacing.
"So this is all some sorta test fo' the poof. What happens if 'e fails?"
"He won't."
Wesley finally put the tea aside and looked at everyone.
"What we know is that Cordelia intervened on Angel's behalf with the Powers. For what we don't know but it must have been important. she believes he can pass this, with our help. We've done our part, we must trust that he will do his."
AA
Cordelia didn't move, she just watched, waited for him to wake up. What she didn't know was that he was already awake. He just knew she was there and was enjoying the nerves coming off of her. Finally he groaned and rolled to the side as if still in pain. Cordelia, sure enough, came over and knealt near him.
"Cor?"
She paused, he felt the fear, he probably hadn't fooled her but he wasn't about to give up. Opening his eyes he tried for the puppy dog eyes he assumed Angel used all the time. Cordelia sighed and stood up.
"You're fine."
He grinned and leaped to his feet, adjusting his coat.
"Why thank you, you're looking mighty tasty yourself."
"Grow up."
Angelus walked towards her but she didn't flinch. So he circled her, sniffing at her hair.
"So, when do we start?"
Cordelia wrinkled her nose.
"Start what?"
"Please, Cordelia. This little test of yours, you don't think this is going to prove anything do you? Me not killing you?"
"Yeah I do. You want to kill off anything that you think of as Angel's, because it's killing off the good in you. Just like Angel works so hard to be nothing like Angelus. Except you are the same people, just, "
Angelus rolled his eyes.
"Yeah yeah, heard the speech earlier. Come on!"
His arm shot out and wrapped around her throat, pulling her close and smiling.
"So how about I prove to you how different we really are. Wake. Us. Up."
AA
Lorne was the first to notice. They were all seated now, Willow sitting near Wesley, Faith on his other side. Spike kept to the corner, trying to seem distant, and Lorne, well he just stood up and stared. It was the staring that got everyone's attention. Wesley frowned and ran his hands over his face.
"Lorne?"
Lorne turned his head slowly back to the others away from the circle with their two friends. He opened his mouth to answer but he didn't need to. Everyone jumped up as Angel groaned and rolled his head on his shoulders. Faith went towards him but Spike was faster and grabbed her arm pulling her back. He frowned and shook his head.
"Tha's not him."
Lorne backed up a step as Angel rose to his feet and stretched. He smiled and glanced down at Cordelia's unconscious body.
"Huh, looky there. She was bluffing."
Lifting a foot, he nudged her head to the side and watched it flop lifelessly. With a grin he turned his back on her and looked to the others, arms out in greeting.
"I'm back."
Willow was wide eyed, she caught Wesley's eye and he nodded. She moved behind him towards the counter again. She needed her book, she needed spells. Spike went for distraction as he and Faith went on the attack. Angelus was ready, more than that, he was looking forward to it. He took a step to the side to widen his stance and flicked his coat behind him. It was an eruption in motion. Willow turned and ran for her book on the counter, Wesley went for weapons and Faith and Spike went to attack. Angelus wasn't one to hold back and got a hold of Faith and forcefully picked her up and threw her into Willow, knocking the two of them down. Spike didn't pause, or flinch, but continued to kick, to punch, his face changed to show he wasn't holding back either.
Faith scrambled up and helped Willow up next. She stood near as Willow flipped through her book trying to find a spell to help stop Angelus and bring Angel back. Wesley had the axe over his head as he came for Angelus. Angelus ducked, flipping Wesley over his back and into Spike. With a snarl he advanced on Willow and Faith. Yellow eyes glared as he growled and grabbed Faith's fist as she tried to stop him from getting to Willow. Willow squeaked as he wrapped a hand around her throat and raised her in the air. Backhanding Faith he grabbed her by the throat and raised her as well. Whipping around he held both women off the ground and out to either side.
"Ah ah ah. I wouldn't"
Angelus smiled at Spike and Wesley, both trying to get up and come after him. They froze and stared at the two women. Clawing at Angelus' wrists trying to get down. Angelus just smiled.
"Can't have the little witch bringing back Mr. Broody now can we?"
Wesley and Spike both slowly stood up straight. Wesley tried to advance slowly, but Angelus tightened his grasp and Faith made an odd gurgling sound so he stopped.
"Just, tell us what you want."
Negotiating was out, but if he could get the vampire to let go of the girls then he'd say anything. Angelus didn't have a chance to reply, Cordelia did for him. Pushing to standing she rubbed at her head.
"He wants to prove something, but he can't. Can you?"
Spike and Wesley changed places to look between her and Angelus.
"Cordelia?"
She shook her head and gave Wes a small smile before walking past him to Angelus. Angelus growled and tightened his grip on Willow but she kept advancing.
"Do you want me to kill them?"
Shaking her head she kept walking.
"No, but you don't want to either."
"You sure about that?"
He smirked at her and in perfect Queen C style, Cordelia raised her chin and stood in front of him.
"Yeah, I am."
"Willing to bet your life?"
"Cheerleader. . . "
Spike warned and was stepping forward, too late. Angelus tossed Willow and Faith to the side and grabbed Cordelia. In what seemed almost like slow motion, Spike watched as he raced forward. Wesley's face fell and he moved towards Faith. Cordelia's face never changed, as if she knew what was happening and expected it. Her eyes closed as fangs sunk into her neck. Spike growled but was backhanded away. By the time he got up again Angelus was letting Cordelia fall to the ground and wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Mmmmm, even sweeter than Dru, no wonder you've been playing puppy dog, William."
"No!"
Wesley was helping Faith up and Willow was rubbing at her throat coughing. Spike's face fell to human as he half crawled, half ran towards Cordelia. Rolling her over into his arms he looked her over. Angelus shrugged and shoved hands into his duster.
"Well, looks like I'm done here. Some people just do not get it. I am not Angel."
Faith's voice came out hoarse as she looked at Spike.
"Spike?"
The blonde's head fell to his chest as he shook it slowly and brushed the hair from Cordelia's face. Angelus made a pouty face and watched him.
"Awwww, looks like the bitchy cheerleader lost that bet."
Wesley was shaking his head in an attempt to shake away the truth. Faith glared at Angelus and jumped up to attack him again. He grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her, pulling her close.
"You just never learn, do you slayer?"
He tossed her forward into Wesley's open arms and Spike jumped up next, only to land at their feet. Willow grabbed her book and flipped through it as she raised a hand and muttered something that had Angelus flying back and landing on his back with a groan. As he pushed up to his knees he caught sight of Cordelia and frowned. Moving towards her to poke at her to move, Spike went to get up and go after him again. Wesley stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Wait."
"Wait? He killed her!"
Angelus growled and glanced up at him.
"She's not dead! She's just, she's. . . "
He frowned and ran a hand over her face, bent his own face towards hers. His face fell and he blinked as if confused. Pulling her into his lap he sat back.
"She's not breathing."
"Of course not! You killed her, you prick!"
Spike shook off Wesley's arm. Wesley shook his head at Faith and stepped forward.
"What is it Angel?"
A low rumbling in his chest was the only warning.
"Angelus! And did you not hear me watcher? She's not breathing!"
"All right, Angelus. So she's not breathing."
Standing up he picked her up and advanced on Wesley only to have Faith step in front of him.
"I'm a vampire, you idiot! I have no breathe! You do!"
He thrust her towards him and Faith looked confused but took Cordelia and set her down. She and Wesley started CPR. Spike moved to guard them as Angelus frowned and watched. Willow picked up the book and moved towards them.
"I need, the orb to get his soul back."
Angelus' head snapped up.
"Try it and I'll kill you, witch."
Spike stepped forward but everyone froze as Cordelia started gasping and coughing before sitting up. Wesley tried to help her up, and Cordelia waved her hand.
"No, you, you don't have to Willow. He, he passed."
"Passed?"
Angelus frowned.
"I killed you, how is that passing?"
Cordelia stood up and put a hand to her neck.
"Because you couldn't do it, in the end, you couldn't, and you know why."
Angelus' curled his lip but took a step back.
"I am not him."
"You are, and he's you."
Cordelia shrugged like it was obvious and Spike shook his head.
"Someone wanna 'xplain t' the rest o' us?"
Angelus gasped and his shoulders snapped back, head fell back and neck strained. Willow shrieked and dropped her book as he hit the ground on his knees. Hand to his chest he closed his eyes and tried to breathe. Cordelia pulled away from Wesley and walked over to help him up.
"Welcome home, Angel."
AA
A/N: I want to apologize for falling so far behind. I'm afraid my health is to blame and I will work to wrap everything up that I still have out. I'm really hoping to continue with this series and yes I do have ideas! I want to throw out a big thank you to forensicsgirl for her Kathy series which I have been dutifully reading. Unfortunately getting the energy up to review is hard. Evidenced by how long it took me to finish this chapter! I highly recommend reading this series and letting her know how great it really is! Happy Holidays everyone!