Words between * are thoughts. Please, enjoy!

Chapter 17

Buffy slept again during their ride to W&H and didn't wake up when he lifted her into his arms. He went to his private access to go directly to his apartment, where Buffy was put in his bed and covered with soft sheets. After it, Angel decided to check with his people to know what they knew.

- Angel.

He was looking at some papers in his desk when he heard the door open, but he didn't turn around.

- Angel…

- Wesley, did you find some information about our hidden…

- Yes. But it's not why I am here right now. There is someone here you would love to see.

- Wesley, I don't have time for social calls… I…

Angel turned around wide eyed when he heard the voice.

- Not even for me???

- Cord… Cordelia? When…? Why…? I mean…

- Hey. It's me.

- You're— you look...

She gyrated around herself.

- Hot? Yeah… I know. Mystical comas. You know, if you can stand the horror of a higher power hijacking your mind and body so that it can give birth to itself, I really recommend 'em… it can do wonders to your femininity.

- Well. I'll leave you two alone.

Wesley looked from Angel to Cordelia with some curiosity. How would things play with Cordelia and Buffy around? He didn't want to be in the vampire position. He closed the door behind him and went back to the library. Angel looked at Cordelia with amazement in his eyes.

- You remember?

- Last year? Yeah. I remember everything... pretty much. At least until I slipped into slumberland. Maternal instincts aside, I hope you kicked its ass for me. Is everybody all right?

Angel sat in his chair at the desk and Cordelia sat in the desk near him. He was happy to see her, more than happy. But seeing her made him finally realize the gorgeous blonde sleeping peacefully in his room was his destiny… beside he was catching strange vibes from her.

- Yeah. Uh...great. We're all—… when did you…?

- Wake up? This morning I just came out of it. They called and Wes and everyone went there to catch me. I missed you there.

- Well. I was… I was there.

- Buffy.

- How do you…?

- Know? Higher Power. See everything. Know everything. Where is she by the way?

- Upstairs sleeping.

- Good. Well… the Powers gave me a mission, so I had to come here.

- A… a mission?

Cordelia leaned to Angel so their faces were near.

- Yes. I have to show you something… something that will help you put this company down.

She spoke seductively at him, while pushing her hair behind her ear. Angel felt himself dazzled in her presence. She leaned close and kissed him full in the mouth.

And Buffy was seeing everything from the door of his office that gave access to his apartment.

Chapter 18

Buffy clapped her mouth with her hand so she'd not scream.

- Oh God! Oh God!

She whispered. She was hyperventilating and started to breathe slowly. She didn't have the strength to run so she just fell against the door. Tears purred from her eyes, but then she heard a scream.

- WHAT HELL YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?

Buffy got up the floor to see Angel holding Cordelia arms away, almost painfully crushing her arms.

- Angel. You are hurting me. I'm here. You love me. We can be together. Didn't you get the vision?

- WHAT? What vision?

- You… you love me… you should have got it.

- Cordelia. I care about you and I really thought I was in love with you. But, Buffy came here and…

- Oh, God! Buffy! Buffy! Buffy! Angel… I'm your champion, don't you see it? Well. Where is the little bitch? What did she want? Take you from your mission again. Angel, The Powers, they gave me a vision. A vision that will end this once and for all.

Angel was looking at her as if seeing her for the first time.

- What is it?

Cordelia held her arms higher and a sort of smoke filled the room. Nobody outside of the room would hear what she was saying or enter the room.

- They showed me the people behind the W&H. They are called Black Thorn and they are behind the apocalypse. Angel you will have to infiltrate them.

- How?

- Unfortunately, someone will be sacrificed for this to happen. They are holding a man named Drogyn… and… you will have to kill him. Fred… Fred… will also die to give birth to something else. You will have to take responsibility for this so they will think you are bad.

Buffy could not hear them or enter the room, but she could feel Angel's anger. Their bond seemed to be screaming for her to do something. He was being tricked into doing something. The vile woman was trying to seduce her man. She knew it. She tried to go to the room, but couldn't.

*Ok! Now I'm the Slayer. And nobody messes with my boyfriend! Willow. I need you here. Angel's office. Fast*

- Cordelia, I won't do this. I won't sacrifice people I love or anything against what I stand for. Buffy was right. I am not a champion, I don't want to be a champion. I am just the guy who cares, who do the right thing… and right now I am realizing what is the right thing to do.

He grabbed Cordelia's arms again. Willow was outside with a frantic Buffy trying to break the spell in the room.

- Do you really think I'd fall for this? Do you really think I'd do whatever you say when you were possessed by a demon. How can I be sure this is not some history and you are here being again controlled by some evil? This vision of yours is nothing but a pat in my back so I'd start the Apocalypse. Tell whoever sent you here that it won't work. I don't believe that The Powers that didn't want me to kill myself back in Sunnydale would want me to do any of these.

- Angel…

Cordelia tried to kiss Angel again. He was holding her when Buffy and Willow bust through the door.

- Angel.

Angel just crossed the room and held Buffy in his arms. Cordelia was furious and showed her true colors. She looked at them with nothing, but contempt in her eyes.

- How? My magic is not supposed to be broken. I'm a higher being!

- Well. You know… little Will who used to see the softer side of Sears. I'm a Goddess… and you are nothing, but a low whore… bitch!

Willow waved her hands and hopes attached around Cordelia so she wouldn't move. Spike chose that moment to come into the room.

Chapter 19

Spike was on the floor holding his nose before he could fully understand what was happening. Angel was looking furious at him.

- What… what was that for, you great poof?

Angel vamped out on the sight of Spike. He grabbed Spike by his duster and was ready to pummel him to death when Gunn and Wesley entered the room and held him off Spike. Buffy was so stunned that she was slow to catch up.

- THAT. WAS. FOR. HURTING. BUFFY.

Angel spat wrestling against the hold of Buffy, Gunn and Wesley.

- Ah! So, it is about Buffy. Now you want to be the champion again? Ah, dear Buffy. Did the big bear here tell you about me… BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF HIM?

- SHE TOLD ME WHAT YOU TRIED TO DO TO HER. YOU TRIED TO CONVINCE HER SHE BELONGED WITH DARKNESS… SHE TOLD ME WHAT YOU DID TO HER! SHE TOLD ME YOU MADE HER BELIEVE SHE WAS WRONG… SO… YOU… YOU COULD HAVE YOUR WAY! YOU TRIED… YOU FORCED YOURSELF ON HER! IF YOU CROSS MY PATH AGAIN… I'LL STAKE YOU WITHOUT A SECOND… NO WAIT… A FIRST TOUGHT! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!

Spike held his ground, but Angel could smell fear coming in waves from him. Buffy looked at Angel.

- Angel, please calm down. You said he was the champion, but it is you. Don't do anything to regret later. Spike has a soul. God! You called him a champion. By the way… What with the whole champion thing? It is ridiculous… you know. Are you playing any racquetball championship? Angel… be just Angel.

- You… you called me a champion?

Angel still wearing yellow eyes growled at Spike and had a strong urge to pummel his face to blood puppy. He was being firmly held by Buffy.

- Spike. What do you want?

- I need to know something about someone.

- Who.

- His name is Doyle

- WHAT???!!

Angel, Buffy and Cordelia screamed at the same time.