MelBelle2: Thanks for the reviews so far. As for the rewind time, nope, I'm not gonna do that. Gonna move forward and keep going, make it an AU of Season 1...in a way. I'm glad you're enjoying it
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"What have you brought us?" asked the male Oracle
"Got you this," Angel replied, holding up a vase, "Ching dynasty"
The female Oracle summoned the gift to her hand, enjoying the craftsmanship
"Well?" asked the male
"The Mohra said something about the End of Days," Angel said, "I want to know if what he was said is true"
"As all things that can be said are," replied the female
Angel swallowed. That could only mean one thing. Cordelia would die
"But…then my friends will die…especially Cordelia. I'm here to beg for her life"
"It's not our place to grant life or death," said the male Oracle
"Then take mine back," Angel continued, "Look, I can't protect her or anyone. Not as a man. I nearly died trying to kill the Mohra last night"
"You're asking to be what you were?" asked the female, "A demon with a soul? Because of this Cordelia?"
"This is a matter of love," said the male, "It doesn't concern us"
"Yes it does," Angel said, "The End of Days is coming. The Mohra said that. I'm the only one who can stop it or at least slow its march down. The Mohra came to take a warrior from your cause and it succeeded. I'm no good to you like this"
"Temporal folds are not to indulge the whims of lower beings," said the male
"You're wrong," said the female sharply, "This one is willing to sacrifice every drop of human happiness and love he's ever known for another. He is not a lower being"
"So, can you do it?" Angel asked, almost pleadingly, "Can you help me. I know you have the power to do it"
"We can turn you back into a demon with a soul," said the male, "A champion of the people. But it will take time. Give us two hours and you'll be restored"
Angel let out a sigh, a relaxing sigh, even though he knew what he was giving up. He was giving up Cordelia's love and his own happiness so he could protect her
"Thank you," he said
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Cordelia and Doyle looked up when Angel walked into the office, a look on his face
"Angel man, are you okay?" Doyle asked
"Yeah, I guess. Cordelia, come with me"
She frowned as she followed Angel downstairs to his apartment
"What is it?" she asked, folding her arms
"I don't think we can continue this," Angel said
"Excuse me? What gave you that idea?" Cordelia demanded, "Oh wait. You're running off back to Buffy, aren't you?"
"What? No, I wouldn't do that"
"Yes you are. Why else would you say that? I knew it. I knew you loved Buffy way before me. I wouldn't even come close to her. So what was I to you, Angel?"
"The one person I care about the most now," Angel said, "I'm not running back to Buffy. I would never do that to you guys, especially you"
Cordelia scoffed and looked away. What he was saying was hurting her deep to the core. She thought she actually had Angel now, but now it wasn't to be and she couldn't quite understand why
"I saw the Oracles," Angel continued, "I've asked that they turn me back"
"What? Why?" Cordelia asked
"You saw me after the fight with the Mohra. People need protecting from creatures of the night. The apocalypse is coming. The people need a champion to protect them"
"So you asked the Oracles to turn you back? Why? Don't you care about me?"
"I've already told you, I care more about you than anything else. This is why I saw them. Because I care. I can't let you get killed because I couldn't protect you. This is the only way. And I'm sorry Cordelia"
"Gee, thanks for consulting me on this"
"Maybe we could still be together"
"Oh I'm not entirely sure about that. The sex was great. Don't know how I'm gonna live without that"
Angel smiled slightly and closed the gap
"Then how about I give you a lasting reminder?"
He placed a knuckle under her chin, lifting her face to his, as he kissed her. Cordelia kissed him back, her arms around him, as he did the same to her, before taking her to his bedroom
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Angel sat on the couch, looking up at the clock. He had about three minutes to go. Cordelia was next to him, her hand clasped in his
"I'm sorry about this," Angel said, "I really am, but this is the only way"
"Hey, I get it," Cordelia said, "You have to be the hero of the people. You know this is gonna be awkward from now on. Seeing as we know each other intimately"
Angel smiled slightly
"I think we can still be together. It'll be hard though, but I think we can make it"
"You really think so? Cause I sure hope so"
Angel looked up at the clock. One minute to go. He sighed and got up, as Cordelia joined him. He smiled at her, before pulling her into a hug
"Well, it was great while it lasted," she said
Angel tilted her face to his, before giving her a kiss. The kiss got more passionate, as the time ticked away. With about fifteen seconds to go, Angel broke away and stepped back from her, closing his eyes, as the time came and his body was covered in a bright light. He groaned, feeling the pain of dying once again. The light faded and he stumbled, gasping even though he didn't need to. All of his injuries were healed, as he headed towards the bathroom, unable to see himself in the mirror
"They did it," Angel muttered, "They turned me back"
He looked at Cordelia, who for reason unknown to him, looked away
"Cordelia?"
"Did it really happen? Between us? Cause I find it hard, even though we just made love like thirty minutes ago. I find it weird. It's like a dream"
"It wasn't a dream. It really happened"
He rested his hands on her shoulders
"I'm sorry I had to do this"
"Say you're sorry one more time," she said, letting the threat hang
Angel smiled slightly
"We'll work it out. We'll get through it. Everything will be okay"
He leaned in towards her, but just then, Doyle rocked up in the apartment, looking like he just had a vision
"Doyle, are you okay?" Angel asked
"Yeah, just had a vision. Come on, I'll tell you on the way over"
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"We need to promote our business," Cordelia said
Angel and Doyle exchanged glances. They had just come back from clearing out a nest of vampires Doyle saw in his vision. On the way over, Angel had told Doyle about being turned back into a vampire so he could continue to help people, something that had caught Doyle by surprise
"Oh, I don't think so, Cordy," Angel said, "I'm kinda tired"
He headed downstairs, as Doyle poured himself a glass of scotch
"Fine. He misses out on his small chance of stardom," Cordelia said, "Doyle, come with me"
"Huh?"
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"…When the chips are down, and you're at the end of your rope, you need someone that you can count on. And that's what you'll find here. Someone who'll go all the way, who'll protect you no matter what. So don't lose hope. Come on over to our offices, and you'll see that there's still heroes in this world...Is that it? Am I done?"
Cordelia frowned, as Doyle watched her
"I don't know. I'll see what I can do with. It looks good and all, but I feel it just needs to be…better"
"Better? I didn't do a good job"
"You did a good job. But…oh I don't know. It's the best we've got"
"Ah, right then. I'm free to go then?"
"Yeah, okay"
Cordelia began removing the folders with Doyle's message from the windows, as Doyle went to leave the office. However, he stumbled back, as a vision struck him. Doyle fell back onto the floor, as the vision passed and he shook his head to clear his sight
"Doyle, are you okay?" Cordelia asked, kneeling beside him
"I have to see Angel. Come on"
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