Chapter 7

After they'd found and checked into a hotel, this time with two beds, Angel went to the nearest market and picked up some ready made salads, bread, water, and chocolate, wondering if the treat would make Charlotte feel better. She had remained quiet and distant, other than to ask if she could go shower first as they entered the room. He also picked up some vitamins, figuring if he was going to need to change his diet, supplements would be necessary.

Angel had left clothes on her bed after she'd disappeared behind the door before leaving, and took his time shopping, lost in his own thoughts. Normally, he would feel energetic and in a good mood, being able to help find the boy but Charlotte's sadness was infectious. He did not witness what she'd gone through, only the end result, and hearing the pain in her voice when he took the boy off her chest, felt deep remorse asking so much of her. He also felt a deep shame of selfishness, accepting her help because it gave him such a unique advantage he'd never had before, and questioned himself if he was doing right by her. It didn't matter that she'd insisted on joining him, if he was abusing her because of her power, he'd have to find a way to end it.

The conflict of it all was that he made a promise to her, to help her remember her past, and more importantly, to protect her. If anyone every found out what she was, she'd be a target of the Government. And he knew very intimately how disastrous that would be. They would have to work this out, together, but it would wait for later. Tonight, she would be treated to a vegetarian dinner, dessert and he'd find a fun movie to watch, hoping she'd relax.

Paying for the groceries and picking the various bags, Angel left the store and decided to fuel up before going back to the room to give Charlotte a bit more time. He took care of that business swiftly and with the van full, he pulled aside to free up the pump and took out his phone, calling his sister.

"Hey, Angel." Cassie's voice was warm, "I heard on the frequencies that you found the boy! I'm so happy. Good job, lil brother."

"Thanks. It was close. He'd gotten swept up in the fast currents of the river. It was sheer luck I'd found him when I did."

"Yeah, they said he was out of the search zone. How'd you figure this one out? It's not exactly a 4-D chess kind of strategy."

Angel explained what the officer said about the K-9 losing the scent, and that they'd expanded to the area to the north. He went on gut instinct to continue in the same direction that dog had been going before turning around. While it was a flat out lie to his sister, the dog had been right to a degree, as he later deduced where the boy may have fallen into the river and had the searches not stopped, they may have found him much earlier.

Cassie whistled in appreciation, "You never cease to amaze me, lil bro! I admit there are times I wonder if if what you're doing is best for you, but then these things happen and I thank the Goddesses for their guidance."

In the past, Angel was known to bite back at Cassie for suggesting 'divine guidance' but a flash of Charlie's demonic form stopped him short and Cassie was quick to pick up on it, "No teasing?"

"Cassie, I don't know what to believe anymore, but right now I'll accept that something helped me, tonight, 'cause even I can't believe my luck in finding him."

That something was someone; Charlie, and her arrival and being with him in that moment, saved that boys life. Charlie was a demon, no argument to be made, and it all was really impacting Angel's conflicting beliefs. He wanted to tell his sister everything, and he knew Charlotte wondered if she could help, but in the moment, he didn't know what was right, so he would wait.

"That's quite an admission, Angel, and I'm not going to tease you about it. I know how much everything has weighed on you, and you know I'm here anytime you need me."

"I haven't given you enough credit, but it means a lot to me that you supported my decisions, both with leaving the service and what we're doing now."

"This work is important to me, too. Now. I just.. I just hope you'll accept redemption sooner, rather than before anything bad happens to you. You don't have to do this forever to make up for the past. You know that, right?"

"Maybe someday I'll believe that." Angel smirked with out humor, "and you'll be the first to know when I do."

"I like that you said 'when', not 'if'."

Angel hadn't realized what he said. He thought back to how Charlotte was adamant they'd find the boy, correcting his 'if' to 'when' earlier that night, and found her determination infectious. It felt good to think of a when over an if. He looked at his watch and figured he'd been gone long enough.

"I like it, too," He granted her a bit of honesty, "I need to get some sleep, sis. Call me if a case comes up, but I think I need about 50 hours of sleep otherwise."

Cassie acknowledged and gave Angel her love and hung up. Angel tucked the phone away and started the van and headed back to the hotel.

.

.

Hearing the outer room door close signaling Angel's departure, Charlotte dropped the weight of her back against the bathroom door, laying the back of head against the cool wood. Her mind kept racing over the last two nights. She messed up, showing herself to Amy, and that caused her to not show herself to the little boy, when it could have been the difference between his life or death. She understood why she needed to stay hidden, as Angel warned her what could happen if she was discovered, but it hindered all she could do. She imagined if she'd have free reigns to go into any situation in full demon form with the FBI backing her, how many lives she could ultimately save. Evil would bow before her, as if she was the Queen of Hell, itself, but not to rule them as their leader, but lead them into repentance for their sins. She liked that idea, a lot.

She cursed at the ghostly chains binding her, but she didn't blame Angel at all. If anything, he'd given her a purpose, and it was a grand purpose and she was grateful that he'd accepted her as his partner.

Pushing away from the door, Charlotte started the hot water and undressed, this time as she looked into the mirror and saw her disheveled self, she shrugged and thought, "Still a sexy bitch!" and let a small smile lose. Focusing on the good she could do, not the limits she had and feeling the moment she fell on the mud with the boy safe in her arms, she permitted herself to feel what she couldn't in that moment; relief.

Like the scalding hot water that moments later drenched her crusty long hair, and soaked her slim form, that sense of relief washed over her and cleansed away her sadness. There was a lot of complicated shit yet to deal with, but it would wait. The water was a balm to her emotional state, soothing her, and she let her thoughts turn to Angel. She needed to let him know she was okay, so maybe he'd feel better, too. She owed him that.

Soaping up to rid herself of the mud, grime and sludge, Charlotte spent the rest of the shower enjoying the feel of her hands over her naked form, allowing herself to feel a sense of pleasure for the first time as the soap cleansed her physical & spiritual self. She rinsed and then re-soaped all of her body a second time, lost in sensations she couldn't recall the last time experiencing. Covered in the layers of suds, all the filth long since taken by the drain, her hands explored herself intimately. With the sadness and other negative emotions tucked away, new more intense needs took their place. Biting her lip, Charlotte slowly teased a release from her that she didn't know until that moment she needed so bad. A soft moan escaped her and she nearly fell, but steadied her feet. Short of breath, she brought her fingers to her lips to taste her sweetness, and sighed contently. She swayed under the water, eyes closed, lost in the void after her intense climax, only to be rudely brought out of it as the hot water was replaced by bitter cold pellets as she'd used up what hot water the shower had.

Cursing her selfishness, since Angel had yet to shower, she shut the faucets off and stepped out while reaching for a towel. She repeated last night of drying and fetching the clean clothes Angel had left for her, and started to brush her hair. She looked at the TV and grinned, suddenly quite curious what there was to watch. She went for the remote when she heard the door rattle and sat back on the edge of the bed, remote in hand, when Angel stepped through, struggling with six full bags of items. Charlotte jumped up, hair a mess and came over.

"Let me help." She took half the bags off him to help set on the desk by the door, "Wow, what all did you get?"

Angel picked up on her tone, "You feeling better?"

"Yes! I came.." the very slightest of pauses as she smiled internally, ".. to an agreement with myself to focus on the purpose you've granted me and that we can do a lot of good and save a lot of lives. I'm so so so sorry I made you worry tonight, Angel! You've given me a chance to do good, and it makes me feel amazing that I was able to help Amy, Jamie and that little boy and I want more of it! I want you to be able to trust in me, and see how much I can help you fight for your dreams, too!"

The complete change in Charlotte's demeanor eased Angel's own angst of worry for her, and while she may be over compensating a little bit, being able to let the sadness go would help her focus on their future missions.

"I already do trust you, Charlotte. From that moment you gave me my gun back, and your soft voice carried from those demon's teeth, I trusted you." He made sure his voice was firm, so she could feel the way he did. He still had to discuss with her his feelings about using her powers, but her words quelled his concerns for the night. Opening one of the bags, he pulled out two plastic containers, announcing dinner.

Charlotte decided in that moment to tease, and let her eyes go pure red as she playfully scolded, "No meat?"

Angel returned her crimson stare with a serious look, his voice carrying a humored undertone, "No, no meat, your highness."

"Good!" She declared, taking the offered container, eyes back to their dark black, "You learn fast, My knight."

"Knight, huh? A bit more medieval than Angel." He chuckled.

Charlotte had the container open and looked at the salad hungrily, but what he said distracted her, "Is it okay to ask what Angel means? I know it's not your given name, right?"

Sitting across from her and opening his own container, admitting to himself it looks pretty good, Angel takes up the plastic fork and pokes at the various items to scoop some food up, "Angel is short for Angelus, my middle name. In the service, It became my call sign in my unit, too. With what I do now, I feel I am still serving and protecting the innocent, so I kept it."

"You are an angle to the ones you save, "Charlotte blushed adding, "Including me."

Angel smiled gratefully at the compliment, giving her a bow of his head, "I am honored to have you at my side, Charlotte, and I know that together we're going to do a lot of good."

Hunger took over and the two ate in comfortable silence until the salad and bread was devoured in short order. Charlotte took two bottles of water, finding herself loving it a lot and after meal was over, Angel presented the chocolate to her.

The light that sparkled in her eyes told Angel all he needed. The chocolate was a success. Charlotte looked at him like he'd just granted her entrance to heaven and bit into the bar three times in quick succession after the first. She asked what it was and he told her and she declared that water and chocolate were to be stocked in full at all times. Angel told her he'd obey. The lightness of the air was refreshing and all other items would be checked off later. Angel went and turned on the TV, flipping through until he found a movie to entertain Charlotte with.

Sitting on the bed with his back to the headboard, he watched Charlotte lay on her stomach, flipping her legs up in turn as she giggled at the action on the screen and for the first time in a long time, Angel felt a calmness he didn't know he would be allowed to have again. There was another feeling, teasing the edge of his emotions, as he watched her. If she never found herself, if she were to stay with him forever… he didn't know if he was allowed to feel anything for her, or if it was even possible… she wasn't human after all, she was a demon. But, for the time being, as agreed by both of them, she was Angel's demon.