In LA (still while Angel is in Sunnydale the first time)
Cordelia and Tina walked into the small apartment that they were now sharing. It was clean to the casual observer, but a closer inspection would reveal dust everywhere that wasn't immediately seen, insects crawling through gaps in the window frame, and brown water. The water had stopped that morning.
"Cordy, not to be ungrateful or anything, but I had a better apartment than this on minimum wage. Sure, Russell helped out a bit (for his own benefit, yes, but still!), but it was mostly me paying. You're going to get paid more than that from this investigation agency, so you could get a much better place!"
"I know I will be able to eventually, but at the moment … well, lets just say that unlike Daddy, I will never 'forget' to do my taxes. Way too much hassle."
"Cordy!"
"Well, I did look at other places, but there just isn't anywhere that isn't in a terrible neighbourhood! I might be used to fighting demons and vampires – you don't have to look so nervous every time someone mentions a vampire, you know. I mean you work for a vampire now! Sure the only good vamp in existence, and that could go right out the window if he and hurricane Buffy keep playing with fate like they are, but –"
"What?"
"You don't know?
"If Angel gets too happy (perfect happiness) then he loses his soul, and turns into evil Angel, angelus. It happened during my junior year at Sunnydale – not a good thing, believe me. It ended up with Buffy having to kill him, and running away. It was all very tragic. As long as they don't … you know … then he wont lose his soul, and our lives (or more importantly our jobs) are safe. Angel might be a lovable teddy-bear-vamp, but Angelus was known as the scourge of Europe, a reputation not easily granted."
Tina just stood in the middle of Cordelia (and hers now)'s apartment, in stunned silence. She couldn't believe that Angel – sweet Angel who had taken her in – could be bad in any way, let alone like Russell.
"You mean he would be like Russell was then?"
"Well, sort of. From what I've heard of your Russell problem, he would be the last thing on your mind if Angelus got lose – he's much, much worse."
Worse than the man … thing that had tried to kill her? Well, at least Russell hadn't tried to rape her or anything. He was only going to kill her. Only indeed!
"Okay, so you can sleep on the sofa. I know it isn't much, but we can get you something better in the morning. I don't know about you, but I'm knackered and just want to sleep for a week. Moving boxes and files around sure does take a lot of energy out of you."
"Yeah." Inside though, Tina couldn't believe that Cordy could sleep at night knowing everything she knew. Or that the other girl was tired after only just over half a day's work. Well, she supposed that Cordy had never done a full days work before in her life. Tina on the other hand, now had two jobs. She had done 14 hours work today, and that would be the norm until she had enough money to get herself home, or pay Angel for petrol money.
Well, even if she couldn't sleep, she could at least relax, so Tina got to work making up a bed on the sofa, while Cordy went to see if she had any food in the fridge.
Yes I know it's gas in America, but you guys already know I'm English, so I'm not going to troll through all of my work just to change the odd few words. Also, why do you call it gas? Petrol is short for petroleum … wait, gas – gasoline. I get it!
Another short one, and I'm still not sure how to carry on the Sunnydale plot line …