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Chapter 3: Just Another Manic Monday

Cordelia huffed in frustration. She kept reaching for a smartphone that she didn't have. They didn't exist in 1998. She was so used to checking the time, checking everything from the palm of her hand. This would take some getting used to. She was in her closet, trying to figure out what to wear as Angel waited, peering out her thought of Caleb. Her eyes welled. She took a deep breath. He didn't exist. "Angel?" she asked. "Hmm?" he responded. "I'm scared. What if we're trapped here? What if we can't find a way back? What if we mess something up here and completely change everything? Angel strode towards her quickly, tucking her long hair to the side. "Caleb." she whispered. "And Connor. Gunn, Lorne..." she trailed off.

"Hey." he said. "We're going to get back to where we are meant to be. We'll get him and them back. I won't stop until we do."

She nodded as he wiped her tears and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, their foreheads touching. Her skin tingled as the familiarity of this moment seeped in. She lost count of how many times this very moment happened throughout their marriage.

She caressed his face. "I should get dressed for school." They chuckled at the absurdity of that statement. She took a step back and proceeded to take her shirt off.

Angel turned away from her quickly. "Uh honey, friendly reminder that I'm a vampire again and can't..."

Cordelia gasped and pushed him out of her closet.

A few moments later, Cordelia emerged. "How do I look?" Angel shook his head and smiled. "Gorgeous." She wore black jeans and a white top. Her hair was just below her shoulders, brown, wavy, side bangs. She was radiant. "I always thought you were beautiful. Even in Sunnydale." he smiled at a memory. "What was that first thing you said when you saw me?" he asked playfully, taking a few steps towards her.

She smirked. "Oh, I'm sure you heard."

"Hello, salty goodness." he said, placing a kiss on her lips.

She chuckled, drew a breath. "So, what's the plan?" she asked

Angel bit his lip. "I think we act normal and we assess. Let's see if it's just us or if anyone else is affected. Once we know for sure, we take it from there. You go to school. Head to the library when you can. See what books you can find on time travel.I'll be underneath, in the tunnels keeping an ear out. If anything, we meet back at my mansion tonight. It's January, so should be dark by 6pm.

Cordelia nodded. "So, this is before...you turn into Angelus."

Angel swallowed, a pained look flashing across his face. "Not long before, but yeah."

They were silent for a few seconds.

"And you're with Xander." he said, an annoyed look on his face.

"I am." she said. She frowned at the thought of Xander kissing her. Anyone kissing her besides her husband seemed ancient and wrong.

They spoke at the same time.

"Don't kiss Buffy.

Don't kiss Xander."

Cordelia put her car in park in front and glanced towards the front entrance of the building she hadn't been inside in almost 25 years. She watched the students as they talked, laughed and headed inside as the first bell still couldn't believe this was happening. She took a deep breath. "Okay, Cordelia. Remember who you are. You're Queen C. You've got this." She ran through the plan in her head. Act normal until they have a reason not to. She played with her ring finger only to remember, again, she didn't have one.

She checked herself in the mirror and exited the car. She looked around for Buffy, Willow and Xander. She didn't see them. Head held high, she walked towards the entrance to Sunnydale High School.

"Back to the Hellmouth." she muttered to herself.

Striding past her locker, she quickly turned the corner to head towards the library and bumped right into Xander Harris.

Startled, she dropped her books. Xander stared at her. He cleared his throat. "Cordelia." he said, after a beat, bending to pick up her books.

"Thanks." she said as he handed them to her.

"No sweat." said Xander.

Awkwardly, Xander leaned towards her slowly as if to give her a kiss on the cheek. Turning away, Cordelia coughed. "Sorry. I think I'm coming down with something." she said, touching her throat.

Xander quickly took a step back. "Yeah, something's definitely going around."

They both gave an awkward chuckle. The bell rang, signaling they were late for class. "Well, we'd better get going." he said.

"Totally." said Cordelia. She awkwardly patted him on the back and rushed off.

"God, I hate Mondays." She said to herself.