"Buffy's Cordelia"
Season 5 and up
Disclaimer: I don't own it!
Pairings: Buffy/Cordelia; Willow/Faith
Summary: Re-write
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Chapter 49: Parting Gifts
Angel Investigations
Angel had gone to the Oracles, bagging, telling them that he needed Doyle back. He told them that he didn't understand how he was going to do his job without Doyle's visions. All they told him was not to worry, that everything would work out for the better and that everything would be fine.
He left there mad at the world, how could everything be fine when he best friend, his partner, was dead. He didn't know how he was going to continue doing his job in saving people if Doyle was gone…no Doyle meant no visions.
When he walked into Angel Investigations that morning he saw Cordelia sitting at her desk. She had taken it harder that he had expected. She would go around doing things and she would notice something small. Like the other day she was getting coffee and she noticed that Doyle didn't have his own coffee cup and then she started crying again.
Angel walked into his office and sat down at his desk. He couldn't believe that Doyle was really gone, he knew, but he couldn't believe. No more of Doyle little pep talks…no more Doyle. Angel put his head in his heads and thought about his past friend that he would no longer see. He knew he would out live everyone he knew, but he never thought he would affect him like this; after all it never did before.
The phone rang and Angel looked through the window and saw Cordelia answer it. When the smile came across Cordelia's face Angel knew that it was Buffy once again calling from England. She and Cordelia had talked about what happened between Cordelia and Doyle on the landing the night of Doyle's death and now Buffy understood why he did it and she forgave Cordelia. Everything was good again…well almost everything.
Everything around Angel Investigations lately has been really lightly treaded. Angel never knew what to say, should he joke about things he and Doyle did to together, or should he take a more serious approach, especially around Cordelia. Angel once again looked through the window and watched as Cordelia talked on the phone with Buffy.
As Angel was watching Cordelia talk to Buffy he noticed that Cordelia was feeling her head a lot as if she had a headache or something, then he remembered that that's what Doyle used to do before he got a vision. Angel quickly got up from his chair and went into the other room where Cordelia was still on the phone with Buffy.
"Buffy hold on a sec, Angel's right here and I think he wants something," Cordelia said. She pressed a button on the phone and placed the phone on the receiver, thus putting Buffy on hold. "Angel what's up?" she asked confused on why he looked so nervous.
"How are you feeling today Cordelia?" Angel asked trying to be coy. "I mean do you have any headaches or anything?" he asked.
"No I'm fine why?" she asked but then she felt an intense plain shot through he skull. It felt as if he brain was trying to push itself out of her skull. Meanwhile as this intense pain is continuing images are passing through, telling her a story. When it was all said and done Cordelia was on the floor with her hand on her head. "Angel…tell Buffy she needs to get home…NOW." She said.
Angel walked over to the phone as Cordelia made her way back into her chair. As Angel picked up the phone someone, or something, came walking through the door. "Buffy?" Angel said as he looked at the demon that walked through the door.
"Angel what's wrong?" Buffy asked nervous that something bad was happening and she was too far away to do anything about it. "Is Cordelia okay?" she asked.
"Buffy I think you need to get home as soon as possible, something's happened and Cordelia needs you," he said as he hung up the phone without saying good-bye. He looked at the demon standing before him and Cordelia. "Is there something I can do for you?" he asked.
"I need your help," the demon said. "Someone's after me, someone dangerous and he wants nothing more than to kill me," he said. "But the thing is I didn't even do anything to where someone would want me dead," he said. "This is Angel Investigations isn't it?" he asked.
"It is," Angel said as he helped Cordelia into her chair. "Buffy's on her way," Angel said. "In my office," Angel told the demon. "You gonna be okay?" Angela asked Cordelia.
"Yeah, just peachy," Cordelia said as she lied her head down on the table. She couldn't believe this was happening to her.
The demon sat down in the chair across from Angel's desk. Angel walked in, making sure to close the door behind him, and walked over and sat at his desk. He looked at the demon before him and to his knowledge he didn't look like anything Angel knew, which surprised him. "What are you doing here?" Angel asked.
"Like I told you before I came looking for help," he said. "Name's Barney and I have someone after me, someone who's looking to kill me," he explained.
"And you have no idea why this person wants you dead?" Angel asked really doubting that.
"No, but I do know that he won't stop. He's followed me here all the way from Las Vegas," Barney said. "He rides around on a motor cycle; he's a real piece of work. I heard that he had taken down so many demons that just the mention of his brings fear to their hearts…well those that have hearts that is," he said.
"Okay you said this guy was looking for you right?" Angel said and Barney nodded. "Well give me your address, cause if he followed you all the way here I guarantee that he knows where you live," Angel. He watched as Barney scribbled down his address and handed it to him. "We'll be in touch," Angel said as he got up and walked out into Cordelia's office.
"What?" she asked as she lifted her head to look at him.
"Here," he said handing her a piece of paper and a pencil. "Write down everything you saw," he said.
"I don't want to. Angel I didn't sign out for this. Sure me and Buffy come here every other week to help you save the world and all but I didn't sign on to be your side-kick," she said. He said nothing but just continued t stair at her. "Fine I'll try to remember something." She said.
"Wait, wait, wait…you know that slayer," Barney said stepping in front of Angel.
"Wait people know about Buffy know Vegas…that's cool," Cordelia.
"Cordelia," Angel said.
"Right," she said looking back at the blank piece of paper.
"Yeah we know the slayer," Angel said and then something popped into his head. "As matter of fact she is on her way her right now, you see you're annoying her wife, and she gets really upset about that kind of thing," Angel paused. "She might just come here and kill you…just for the fin of it," he explained. "She's got a really bad temper," he added.
"Okay I'm gone," Barney said running out of Angel Investigations as fast as his legs would carry him.
"Angel that wasn't very nice," Cordelia said as she looked at him. "He needed your help and your just going to scare him away." She said. "I'm disappointed."
"I'm helping him; I just don't want him here because he's annoying. And your not disappointed your just mad because now you have a reason for being here," he paused. "How's the head?" he asked. He made sure to move out of the way of a flying eraser that Cordelia threw at him.
Barney's apartment
Angel walked down the hall of the address Barney had given him, and he had to say he wasn't at all impressed. He was kind of disgusted, demon were supposed to have better accommodations than this, they were supposed to have still. Obviously this demon skipped the style line.
He walked up to Barney's door and turned the knob, for some reason he wasn't surprised to find the door unlocked. "What an idiot," Angel said as he closed the door behind him. He looked around the apartment with no interest whatsoever. He couldn't believe someone would actually live like this.
That's when he heard the door open again. He looked in the direction of the door and there was a figure standing there pointing something his direction. As Angel got a closer look he saw that he was a cross bow. He stepped back but that's when the figure stepped into the light.
"You've got to be kidding me," Angel said when he saw the person. "You're the one they call the demon hunter?" Angel asked.
"Wesley-Windom Price," he said. "Hello Angel," he added. "We meet at last," he said trying to sound scary.
"We've met before Wes, you tried to kill me remember," Angel said as he walked further into the apartment and then that's when he heard another noise. He turned to his right and there was another demon, a bald one, that jumped out and him and threw him against the wall. After he threw Angel against the wall he jumped out the window. Angel walked over followed by Wesley and looked out the broken window as the demon ran away. Angel looked at Wesley, "thanks for the help," Angel said as he walked out of the apartment with Wesley right behind him.
Angel Investigations
Angel knew that Wesley was following him back to his apartment but right now he didn't care. He just wanted Wesley away from him. He wouldn't stop talking and Angel was about to break his not killing humans rule.
They walked through the office and since the lights and everything were out Angel guessed they were down stairs in his apartment. He walked down the stairs, once again followed by Wesley. When he entered his apartment he saw Cordelia on his couch with a pad of paper.
"Any luck?" Angel asked. "Sorry," he said when he saw her jump and placed her hand over her heart.
"God Angel, make more nose when you walk," he said. "Wesley?" Cordelia asked. "What's he doing here I thought he was in England?" she asked.
"Nope I decided to step down from the Council." He said.
"So you were kicked out huh?" Cordelia asked.
"I'm afraid so yes," Wesley said as he walked over and sat at the table. That's when someone came walking out of the bathroom. "You!" he said.
"You!" Angel said. "I thought I told you to leave," Angel said as he looked at Cordelia.
"He came back after you left and for some reason the Buffy threat didn't work for me…funny," she said as she looked down at her paper. "You know me being the wife and all," she said underneath her breath so only Angel would hear.
"You brought him here!" Barney said. "I thought you were going to help me," he said.
"I am I thought you left," Angel said. "I wished you left," he added.
(AN: I KNOW BUFFY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK IN A DAY BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE STORY JUST PRETEND)
The sound of the door opening upstairs alerted them all. "Hello?" A female voice said. "Cordelia!" She said again.
"It's Buffy," Cordelia said as she ran up the stairs to meet her wife.
"Since when did they become such good friends?" Wesley asked confused and Buffy started coming down the stairs. Angel looked out of the corner of his eye and saw Barney hiding for cover and a smirk came to his face, "Hello Buffy," Wesley said when he saw her.
"Hey Wes," she said and then she looked at Angel. "Angel will you tell what the hell is going on because Cordelia is afraid to tell me something that is obviously important that I came home all the way from England for," she said looked at Angel.
"Guys I think we should leave these two alone," Angel said. "Come on let's go discuss your problem in my office upstairs," Angel said as he and the guys what upstairs leaving Buffy and Cordelia alone, he knew it was going to bring up the touché subject of Doyle.
Once they were gone Cordelia walked over and leaned against the wall. Buffy walked over and stood in front of her. Cordelia looked at her with tears in her eyes.
"How could you have done that to me?" Cordelia asked as she looked at her. "You just left, without so much as a note," she explained.
"I told Faith were I was going," Buffy said defending herself. "And what did you expect me to do…after what I saw," she said as she looked at Cordelia.
"I thought you would have let me explain what happened before you took off…oh wait that's what you do best isn't it," Cordelia said. Buffy eyes were warning her not to go there but Cordelia wasn't about to listen, if they were going to talk they were going to talk about everything. "When things go wrong in your life you take off, without asked why," Cordelia said.
"I didn't come home for this," Buffy said as she turned and started to walk away.
"See what I mean," Cordelia said as she looked at her. "Buffy we need to talk, if we don't then this marriage will never work," Cordelia said. "And I WANT it to work," she added as she watched Buffy turned around.
Buffy turned around and walked toward her making her moved further up against the wall. "Listen I didn't come here to get yelled at and to have my past mistakes thrown in my face," Buffy snapped. "If I wanted that I NEVER would have married you because it would have been a waste of money," Buffy said. "Because you lay everyone mistakes down on the table every time you see them, not matter how may times they saw their sorry," Buffy said.
"So you're saying that you married me to stop me from throwing your mistakes back in your face?" Cordelia asked. "Funny I thought you married me because you loved me," she said as she started to walk away.
"I DO love you." Buffy said. "But I'm tried of constantly being reminded of what I did wrong. I cause you haven't notice your not perfect either," she said. "If I remember correctly not to long ago you kissed someone who wasn't your wife." Buffy said.
"That was under extreme circumstances," Cordelia said. "And he's dead so please Buffy for once have some respect for the dead," Cordelia said.
"Thanks," Buffy said and she turned around. "You know I do respect the dead, so much that I wish Willow never brought me back," Buffy said. "I wish that I was still in the ground," she said. "Everything was easier," she added.
"Buffy that's not funny," Cordelia said.
"Yeah well sometime you bring the worse out in me," she said as she turned and walked toward the stairs. "Listen I came back not because I forgive you for kissing Doyle and that I was ready to face you. I came home because I thought you were in trouble…am I can tell nothing is wrong so I going home to Sunnydale." Buffy said.
"Buffy wait," Cordelia said. Buffy stopped but she didn't turn around. "I don't want to fight anymore," she said. "Something's wrong that I think you should know about," Cordelia said. Buffy turned to look at her.
"As you know Doyle kissed me," she said and Buffy looked away. "But the thing is he didn't kiss me because he was about to kill himself, he passed something on to me," Cordelia said. "His visions. He wanted to make sure that Angel still had someone he trusted that could tell him what evil was going on…someone Doyle trusted as well. So he gave them to me," she explained.
"Are you serious?" Buffy asked walking toward her.
"As a heart attack," she paused. "Buffy I'm scared," she said. "I don't want to see these things, and what if I can't take'em," she said. "What if there too much for me and I die from them?" she asked. Doyle had them and he was part demon…but me I'm all human…what's going to happen to me?" she asked.
"Nothings going to happen to you," Buffy said as she walked over to her and placed her hands on her shoulder. "And you wanna know why?" Buffy asked as she looked into Cordelia's eye and she nodded. "Because you got me," she said as she brought Cordelia in for a hug.
Angel's office
Angel and Wesley had convinced Barney that Wesley wasn't going to kill him so everything was good on that front. Barney had gone home, or so Angel hoped, and Wesley stayed behind. He was curious and Angel could understand why. When Wesley left for England Cordelia wanted him, she liked him, now she didn't; now she was married.
Wesley sat across from Angel; they were both waiting for Buffy. Angel that since she had to come all the way here he might as well give her a piece of the action. Angel looked over at Wesley whom was fidgeting every five minutes.
"Will you just ask Wes?" Angel said as he looked at the ex-watcher.
"Ask what?" Wesley asked playing stupid, or was he really stupid, Angel could never tell.
"About Buffy and Cordelia, you know you want to know," Angel said.
Wesley didn't say anything, Angel didn't say anything, and instead they sat there in complete silence. That's when Angel heard footsteps coming up the stairs. When he looked toward the stairwell he saw Buffy immerge. "So what is exactly going on around here?" Buffy asked as she looked at the two men in front of her.
"I'm not sure," Angel said. "We were attacked by a demon at Barney's apartment so we are going to take that lead, I think I know where he is," Angel explained.
"And Barney's the one that was here before, the demon that didn't think I noticed him," Buffy said.
"That's him," Wesley answered.
"Okay let's follow your lead," Buffy said pointing forward telling Angel that he should go first.
Angel's apartment
Cordelia was making coffee for herself. Buffy had gone off with Angel and Wesley to take a lead on the demon that attacked them. Cordelia knew that Angel would do that; he wouldn't make Buffy come all the way her and then miss out on the action. Which made Cordelia wonder if Buffy really hated slaying as much as she said she did?
As Cordelia was pouring herself a cup of coffee she heard a noise behind her and when she turned around Barney was standing there. She jumped and nearly dropped her cup of coffee.
"God," she said as she placed her hand over her heart. "What is with demons and sneaking up on people," she said as she walked over and sat at the table. "I thought you went home," she said disgusted. She really didn't want to be alone with a demon, especially one she didn't know.
"I did, but I came back…I forgot something," he said as he looked at her. "You have the power don't you?" he asked.
"What power?" Cordelia asked confused, she really wasn't in the mood for this.
"The visions, you got them," he exclaimed.
"Unfortunately," Cordelia said. Then she remembered something. "What did you forget that was so important you had to some all the way back for it?" she asked as she looked at him.
"My meal ticket," he said as he walked over to her and grabbed her from behind. "You."
"You've got to be kidding me," Cordelia said as she tried to get away. "You have no idea who you're messing with," she said.
"Yeah I do, your just a human," he said as she started to drag her away.
"I'm not just human, I happen to be the slayer's wife," she said as she continued to squirm.
"Funny, but everyone in the demon community knows the slayer isn't married, she can't even keep a guy long enough to tell him she loves him," he said as he dropped her in the sewers.
"Ew," Cordelia said as she stood up. But soon she was wrapped up once again in Barney's arms.
"Come on this way," he said as he pushed her up a latter where the limo was waiting to pick him and his package up.
Somewhere in L.A
Buffy followed Angel and Wesley all the way to a demon spa. She couldn't believe that people ran things like this in L.A. They walked over to the desk and describe the demon they were looking for. The person at the desk directed them where to go and told Angel that there was no violence here, that it was a peaceful place.
When they walked into the room that the person at the desk gave them Angel saw the demon lying there. He looked at the person tending to him. "Can we have a minute?" he asked and the person left. "Why were you at that apartment today?" Angel asked the demon.
"I don't have to tell you anything, vampire," the demon said as he looked up at Angel.
"You do if you want to live," Buffy said stepping out from behind Angel. "Why where you there?" she asked.
"I was looking for something that belonged to me," he said as he looked at Wesley who was examing his forehead. "Do you mind?" the demon asked.
"Oh sorry, it's just that your third eye…it's gone," he said looking at Angel.
"What?" Angel asked.
"I was at the apartment looking for what the demon took from me, my third eye. He got a good price for it too," he said as he robed the spot on his forehead. "That's what he does. He's an auctioneer. He find's priceless thing and sells them to the highest bidder. Expect for him is things like a third eye that can see into the near future…or even the ability to see danger." He said.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"They call it the sight, the one who gets visions." He said. "Word on the street says that Barney found him the one that has that ability." The demon exclaimed.
"Oh my God…Cordelia," Buffy said as she ran out of the spa followed by Angel and Wesley.
Some demon dimension
Cordelia had been knocked out somewhere around ten minutes after she got into the limo. When she came to she noticed that she was tied up and gagged. She looked around the room and what she saw made her want to scream. These were parts of people's bodies and other things that she didn't want to know what they were. She couldn't believe this, why did everything always have to happen to her?
Angel's apartment
They came running down Angel's stairs but when Buffy reached the bottom she stopped. There was no sign of Cordelia. She looked through Angel's apartment but nothing, Cordelia was gone. "This isn't happening," she said to herself as she felt tears welled up in her eyes. She turned to Angel and Wesley. "We have to find her," Buffy said.
"Okay, I think I know where to look, I just need to use a computer," Wesley said as he head back up the stairs knowing that Cordelia had one on her desk. He walked over and sat down. He started typing away at the keys and soon the screen popped up with an address.
"How do you know about this?" Angel asked.
"It's very popular," he said as he looked at Angel. "You would be surprised what I've picked up being a demon hunter," Wesley said.
"Enough," Buffy said. "Can we please go rescue my wife?" she asked as she headed out of the offices.
Auction
The highest bidder that what Cordelia finally realized. She was brought her because of the visions and she was going to be sold of to the highest bidder. Doyle if I EVER see you the after life I'm gonna KILL you. She said to herself as she looked out over the crowd.
They were starting the bidding out at mislay one hundred dollars. Yet the numbers quickly went up and Cordelia realized that she was a prime object, well her eyes were at least.
She looked out over the crowd and noticed who was bidding on her and that's when she saw her. A women in a business suit, she was undoubtedly one of Wolfram and Hart. Then she noticed that some freak was also bidding on her and that the woman was beginning to have second thoughts.
"Come on, is that all you got!" Cordelia shouted.
"Shut you mouth," Barney said.
"Come on, I have visions…" she said and then she felt the slap of a hand across her face and she stopped talk, but that's when she heard noises outside the door.
"Two million," the women said.
"SOLD," Barney said.
"Thank God," Cordelia added underneath her breath and she couldn't help but wonder what was going on outside the doors.
In the lobby
Wesley had been right about the location and that made Buffy so happy that she almost thought about kissing the guy…and they she remembered who he was. The stormed the lobby and the first person who attacked him he asked when the auction was being held. But the person explained to Angel that the auction was over and all the prices where he being collected in the back room.
"Where?" Angel asked in full vamp face.
"Back t-through t-there," the guy said pointing at the door.
"Thanks," Angel said knocking his out.
Back room
Cordelia hated her life most of the time, but she hated it now more that ever. She was just informed that the woman didn't want her, she just wanted her eyes. So they were going to cut out her eyes, and kill her.
Nothing like this happened to a chase, that is unless she's dating a Summers. Don't get her wrong, she loves Buffy, more than anything, but all the weirdness that happens to her now is in direct contrast to Buffy. After all being the slayer's wife was bound to get her, her share of weirdness.
Just as the people were getting closer to gouging her eye out she heard the door smash open. When everyone looked at she Angel and Buffy come walking through the door. As Cordelia looked into Buffy eyes she saw a huge weight lift off her shoulders.
"I believe you have something that belongs to me," Buffy said as she approached. Cordelia looked out of the corner of her eye and saw the Wolfram and Hart person go out the back way. Barney back away from Buffy as Angel killed his friend who attacked him. "And you are the one that took her."
"Listen I can explain," he said as she tripped over something.
"I don't want to hear it," Buffy said as she grabbed his arm and lifted him of the ground. "It was nice knowing you," Buffy said as she with ease snapped the demons neck and his lifeless body fell to the floor.
Buffy looked at Cordelia from across the room as Angel untied her. Their eyes met and Cordelia smiled. And that's when a song came over the PA RADIO.
It was a Monday, when my lover told me,
"Never pay the reaper with love only.
What could I say to you, except, "I love you"
and "I'd give my life for yours"
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones, dear
Buffy stepped over the dead body of the demon Barney and made her way toward Cordelia.
The first time we made love, I...I wasn't sober.
(And you told me you loved me over and over!)
How could I ever love another, when i miss you every day...
Remember the time we made love in the roses?
(and you took my picture in all sorts of poses!)
how could I ever get over you, when I'd give my life for yours
Cordelia was still being untied by Angel when she saw Buffy approaching. Once she saw her she tried to get the ropes off herself faster.
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones, dear
Once the ropes where off Cordelia started toward Buffy.
My dear,
It's time to say I thank God for you.
I thank God for you in each and every single way.
And, I know..I know..I know..I kmnow.. it's time
to let you know. Time to let you know. Time to let you know.
Time to sit here and say:
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones
I know we are..we are the lucky ones, dear
We are the lucky ones, dear...
They met in the middle where Buffy took Cordelia in her arms and started kissing her passionately. This event making Buffy realize just how rare and valuable Cordelia was. And just how in danger she was just by knowing who Buffy is.
"I love you," Buffy said as she pulled away. "I love you more than anything in the world and I never want to lose you," Buffy said as she brought her lips to Cordelia's again.
"Like wise," Cordelia said as she felt Buffy arms wrap around her and lift her up in the air. "What do you say we get outta her," Cordelia said and Buffy smiled and took hold of her hand and together they headed home.
Cordelia's apartment
Together Buffy and Cordelia lie together, later that night, wrapped in each other arms. Buffy was fast asleep but Cordelia was wide away. She looked down at the woman lying by her side and smiled. She knows that the kiss between her and Doyle wasn't her fault yet it almost ruined her marriage so just to be extra careful she wasn't going to let any guy get close enough to even think about kissing her.
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AN: Hope you enjoyed it…Until next time.
Lyrics by Biff naked.