Cordelia Chase liked to think that not much surprised her anymore, but at the moment she was undeniably, thoroughly surprised.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"I believe the correct phrase in this situation is 'I kid you not'. I'm sorry Cordy, but Willow was quite adamant. Our help is dearly needed."

"Stop being such a Drama Queen, Wes! I mean, it's just an apocalypse. It's not like it's the end of the world or anything."

"By definition, an apocalypse is the end of the world, Cordelia."

"I know! I know! I was just trying to say that apocalypses aren't that uncommon. They're nothing to get worked up over. Anyways, do you really want to go to Sunnyhell again?"

"Sunnyhell? Are we talking about Sunnydale?"

Both Cordelia and Wes turned to face Gunn and Fred, who walked in the office door. Fred was busy enthusiastically finishing off a large ice cream cone, while Gunn carried what appeared to be a pint of vanilla.

Cordy couldn't help but grin as she viewed the mismatched couple. Waifish as she was, Fred was completely dwarfed by her new boyfriend. And though Cordy had always found their relationship odd- *I mean, a street kid and physics nerd? Wouldn't of seen that one coming. , it seemed to work. *Definite cuteness there* she thought, as she watched Gunn wipe a drizzle of ice cream off Fred's chin.

However much as Cordelia hoped the pint of vanilla was all of them to share, Wes obviously thought their previous conversation was much more important.

"Yes, Sunnydale. I just got a call from Willow; they're facing a new and dangerous threat there, and our help would be dearly appreciated. I believe it would be pertinent of us to head down at once," stated the ex-watcher.

"Well, you're the boss, English, but are you sure it's practical? I mean, for how long? And where are we gonna stay?", Gunn replied.

Cordelia smiled, relieved to have someone on her side. "That's what I was saying, Gunn. There's tons of issues with this idea. After all, who would take care of Connor? And am I the only one who remembers how Angel gets whenever he sees the B-word?"

Wes sighed. "We can leave Lorne with Connor, and put the Sanctuary Spell on the hotel so that they won't be attacked. As for Angel and Buffy… well, I'm afraid nothing much we can do. We'll just have to hope for the best."

Cordy made a face. She knew that Wesley was right and that they had to go help, but that didn't mean she had to like it. And how was she supposed to break it to Angel? *Seeing Buffy always leaves him a mess. He goes all broody… well, broodier.*

"Well, I suppose I should go tell Angel," she decided, resigned.

"It's OK, Cor. I heard," came a voice from the doorway.

Surprised, the four humans turned around to see Angel leaning against the wall. He wore his normal black leather duster and black pants with a baby blue shirt which Cordelia had picked out for him months before. In his arms he held baby Connor, who was apparently sleeping. And next to him stood Lorne, who glanced at Wes and Cordelia sympathetically.

Angel sighed. "Wes is right. I'm sorry guys, but we should start packing. We can stay at my old place in Sunnydale. It's a bit dark, but it's big enough for all of us, and it's free."

"Well, at least I and Fred get to meet all you're old friends from Sunnydale," said Gunn, "C'mon Fred, we should get packing."

"OK," replied Fred. She smiled at the rest of the gang. "Good night, y'all. See you in the morning."

"Good night," they all chorused, smiles on their faces. No one could help but smile at Fred.

After the sleepy couple left, Lorne, Cordelia, Wes, and Angel were left alone. Angel carefully scrutinized Cordy and Wes's faces, and noticed the slightly hidden apprehension in both of them. "It's gonna be alright guys," he reassured them. "I know it sucks, especially for you two. But we're not going to let old ghosts haunt us. All of us are different then we were back in Sunnydale, and we have to remember that, even if the Buffy and her friends won't accept it. You guys are my family, and I'm not gonna let anyone get between us."

"But what about you?" Cordelia burst in, trying and failing to hide her nervousness. "Will you be OK being with Buffy? I mean, last time she visited things didn't turn out so well."

"I'll be fine. I promise. We're gonna get through this." Angel handed Connor to Lorne. "You'll call us if anything happens?" he asked the Pylean. "Anything at all?"

"Of course, Pumpkin. You can count on it. Me and Connor will have lots of fun, don't you worry."

Angel nodded. "Thanks Lorne." Then he headed out the door.

Wes yawned and bid farewell to Cordelia and Lorne, promising to be back "bright and early tomorrow morning".

Finally alone with Cordelia, Lorne took the opportunity ask her what was wrong. He had been picking up some pretty serious bad vibes from during the conversation, and was rather concerned.

"It's just, how am I supposed to face them all, Lorne?" asked the seer. "To all of them I'm Queen C, the insensitive bitch who doesn't care about anyone but herself. And what will the effect be on Angel? I mean, Buffy will either be cruel and push a new boyfriend in his face, or she'll try to convince him to come back to Sunnydale. Either way, he'll end up hurt, and I hate seeing him hurt."

"Hey, Princess, it'll be OK. The crowd over there would have to be stupid and blind not to see what a miraculous young woman you are. As for Angel's reaction to Buffy, you're forgetting one key thing."

"What's that?"

"It's that last time Angel saw Buffy, he had no one else that he really loved and cared about. So he spent all his time upset, with no one to cheer him up. But that's different now. He has you now. To tell the truth, I'd say that vampire cares more about you than his supposed "true love". So cheer up. Everything's going to be OK."

Cordelia sighed. "Lorne, maybe that's partly true. But Angel will always love Buffy more than anything in the world. That's the way it is. I've just got to be happy that I'm his best friend." Then she smiled. "But you're mainly right. Thanks Lorne, I think I needed a pep talk. G'night."

Lorne smiled gently at her. "Alright, Princess. Good night, don't let the bed bugs bite."

As Cordelia departed for her apartment, he couldn't help but think that for someone so perceptive, Cordelia could be remarkably blind when it came to Angel's feelings for her.

"But she'll figure it out someday, won't she stroodles?" he cooed to Connor.