Into the Past
by Anne
Category: Angel/Cordelia
Disclaimers: Nothing of Joss’ belongs to me, to my chagrin.
R
Spoilers: After everything...but also, before everything. ... The WB 'official site' says that by 1880, the fanged four were in London. Then after becoming well acquainted, they went to Yorshire, then we jump to 1898- And the soul thing..etc. Well, since the WB was vague on how long the fanged 4 stayed in London, I've imagined...and now you all are suffering for it...

Chapter One

“Does Angel know?”

“I showed him.”

“Great, he went all broody, didn’t he?” Cordelia glanced up the stairs, which led to Angel’s suite.

“He seemed to be in a contemplative mood about it.”

“Like I said, he went into dark brood mode.” Cordelia shook her head. She scrunched up her face. “I know prophecies come from up high, but they don’t actually have to come true, right.”

“Forewarned, they can be prevented.”

“Well, there you go then. We got the coming attraction, now we just need to do the prevention thing. It can’t be that hard. It’s not like Buffy pops into visit every day. So, we will just make sure that she stays in Sunnyhell where she belongs.” Cordelia said.

“Cordelia, we don’t know that the Prophecy meant Buffy.”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “The vampire with a soul will be damned, his redemption lost, when the mate of his soul, is torn asunder by the demon that lies within? Buffy, duh. Soul mate, love of ‘grr’ guy's life, that’s Buffy. And the demon within, well duh to that to. The way I see it is, Buffy stays where she’s at and we make sure that there is no way Angelus comes a creepin. - Viola, bad stuff averted.”

“Where are you going?”

“To make sure that Angel realizes that there will be no more sneaky side trips to Sunnydale.” Cordelia bounded up the stairs.

“You don’t think she is right.” Gunn asked.

“Do you?”

“You know me, English. I’m just muscle you’re the brain.”

“Angel loved Buffy, that’s true, but his soul mate? No.”

“I was afraid of that. So, what are we going to do?”

“She won’t leave him. Even if we tell her. Hell, she won’t believe it.”

“Angel could tell her, make her go.”

“That would assume that Angel would believe it. Both can be extremely blind and stubborn.”

Gunn nodded. "So, like I asked. What are we going to do?”

Wesley shrugged. “Make sure that there is no chance of Angelus appearing.”

Gunn's brows rose. “How could that happen anyway, I thought the two three- letter words were needed.”

“No, it can be done by artificial means. Abet it is only temporary, but it wouldn’t take long for Angelus to kill Cordelia.”

Chapter Two

Angel sat in his armchair. Thinking, or as Cordelia would say, brooding. The prophecy had scared him. The idea that Angelus could return and harm…..

“Knock, Knock, Mr. Brood guy.”

“Cordelia, I…”

“I know…You want to be alone with your ‘thoughts’. Fine I’ll let you get back to them, after we get a few things straight.”

Angel brows rose at the beautiful girl’s demanding tone. A slight smile started to form. Angel took a deep unneeded breath and forced his frown back in place. “And they would be?”

“No more sneaking off to Sunnydale. You, Buffy, temptation, pelvic action, love…Angelus…then where would we all be, I'll tell you where, Buffy torn asunder and you really damned. Not going to happen, not while I’m here. But you got to do your part, no more sneaking.”

“Cordelia, I don’t sneak off to Sunnydale to see Buffy."

Cordelia arched her brows. “Really?”

“I didn’t sneak."

“You didn’t tell. You snuck.”

“Buffy’s mother died, then Buffy died, and came back. That’s why I went to Sunnydale, and since you know about those trips, I didn’t sneak.”

“Hmmph, what about Thanksgiving? Remember?”

“Cordy, that was over two years ago, and you sent me there. You had a vision, remember,” he said in the same tone she had.

“Right, well. After that. You definitely snuck then.”

“What? When?” Angel thought a moment. Okay, maybe he did sneak then. “How did you know?”

“I came back from my well earned vacation, hearing that Buffy visited and witnessed the whole rescuing of Faith’s soul bit. I figured that you would be all broody, so I stopped by. You weren’t at your apartment, so where else would you be.”

“Out killing demons, saving the world.”

“Were you?” Cordelia’s tone was sarcastic.

“Buffy and I argued, I just wanted to make things okay again. Okay?”

“Maybe, then, but not now. There will be no more running to Sunnydale. Got it. I will not have you risk your soul.”

Angel didn’t know what to say. He just stared.

“Oh, and no, taking drinks from strangers. There will be no artificial Angelus making pills or stuff slipped into your blood or whatever. Got it.”

Angel just nodded.

“Good.” Cordelia relented a bit. “Perk up, gloomy guy, Wesley will look some more, I’m sure there is another prophecy that tells us exactly how to prevent it all from happening. I mean what’s the good of a warning if there is no solution. Or maybe, I’ll get a vision.” Cordelia smiled optimistically.

Angel frowned. He didn’t want Cordelia to get a vision. He hated what the visions did to her.

“Okay, are you all straight on the rules?”

“Yes, Cordelia.”

Cordelia gave a smart nod. “Good, because, I have to go.”

“Where?”

“Audition.”

Angel’s frown became even deeper. He hated that Cordelia willingly put herself in the position to be insulted by those Hollywood jerks.

“Oh, don’t frown so. It’s a dish washing liquid commercial. How bad can they insult my hands?" Cordelia glanced at her nails. “Damn, that Laxus demon, it made me break a nail. I better hurry, if I want to get it fixed. Angel….” She looked at him sternly.

“I will not run off to Sunnydale or accept anything from strangers.”

Cordelia nodded again and smiled. “See ya.”

Angel watched as his seer ran out of the room. Cordelia thought she knew him so well. And for the most part, she did. But on one issue, she didn’t have a clue. Buffy was not in danger or the danger. Wesley and Gunn thought he was blind; he wasn’t, just unsure and scared. And now even more so. Because, Angel knew that his soul mate wasn’t Buffy, but Cordelia, the young beautiful woman that had so completely taken over his life, heart, and soul. Angelus could not, would not touch her, Angel vowed.

Chapter Three

“I don’t know Lilah, it sounds a bit far fetched to me.”

The tall brunette rolled her eyes. “Anymore farfetched than the things we have attempted before. I tell you, the spell will work. It’s been verified.”

“I still don’t see why we just don’t kill her.”

Lilah grimaced. She couldn’t believe that she missed Lindsay. But this new guy was just plain stupid. She spoke slowly. “The prophecy calls for the demon with in Angel to kill the seer, we do it, nothing happens, well nothing but having one pissed off vampire with a soul on our doorsteps. No, Angelus has to kill Angel’s soul mate.”

“Then why not just bring out Angelus.”

“You did read his file didn’t you.”

“Of course.”

“Then you must have seen, we haven’t been real successful on that front. No, this will work.” She turned and faced the senior partner that was present. “It will work.”

“Do it.”

Chapter Four

Cordelia jumped back as a car’s horn blared at her. She glanced up from her newly repaired nail and glared at the speeding off car. Cordelia couldn’t decide if she wanted to get the commercial. Well, of course, she wanted it. But if she got it, then that would mean more time a way from Angel. And as long as the specter of the prophecy was around, Cordelia didn’t want him out of her sight. She thought about it some more as she crossed the street. No it wasn’t worth it, she turned to head back in the direction that she came. Anyway, it was just a dishwashing commercial, not even national. Cordelia would go back and watch over Angel.

Cordelia was forced to jump back again as another vehicle squealed in front of her. Her glare turned to shock as the dark van stopped suddenly and it’s doors opened. In an instant, she was grabbed and dragged into the now moving vehicle.

“What the….who…how dare….” Cordelia stopped her yelling as she recognized Lilah. “You bitch.”

“Shut her up.” Lilah ordered. One of the men that had grabbed Cordelia nodded and stuck a long needle into the side of Cordelia’s throat.

Chapter Five

“What time is it?”

“Five minutes later than the fifth time you asked.”

Angel stopped his pacing and glared. “Cordelia should have been back by now, she said she was coming back. How long does an audition take?”

“Maybe she got the commercial and they started shooting right away.” Fred suggested.

“That’s not how it works and anyway, she would have called.”

“Angel, I’m sure she is fine. Probably just stopped off somewhere.”

“Why should she be fine, just because the Prophecy calls for Angelus to kill her doesn’t mean there aren't other dangers out there.”

“Oh…”

“I’m not completely dense. I know who my soul mate is.”

“Oh…” Wesley repeated, trying to form a complete thought.

“Something is not right.” Angel growled. “Where was the audition?”

Wesley, Gunn, and Fred looked sheepish and shrugged.

Angel glared at them and went to Cordelia’s desk, looking through her calendar. “Bayside Studios.” Angel tore off the sheet and thrust it towards Wesley. “Find the address.”

Wesley nodded, grabbing the sheet and the phone book. Angel continued his pacing.

Chapter Six

Cordelia’s eyes opened slowly. She took in her surroundings. This was not good. She was obviously a prisoner in the Wolfram & Hart building. Why, though, that was the question. It had to be another one of their lame attempts to capture Angel.

She stared as Lilah sauntered in. Cordelia glared. “It won’t work you know.”

“What won’t?”

“This trap. Angel will save me and you won’t hurt him.”

“Trap? This isn’t a trap. No, you will be long gone before Angel even knows that you are missing, much less that we took you.”

Cordelia scrunched up her face. She didn’t like the sound of that at all. “Why?”

“No reason, not to tell you. We found a prophecy that will ensure Angel’s eternal damnation. We thought we would give it a whorl.”

Cordelia started to speak, then stopped. Obviously, Wolfram & Hart found the same prophecy that Wesley had, but they didn’t know what it really meant. Otherwise, Buffy would be sitting in the chair that Cordelia was now tied up in. Or rather, Buffy would’ve beaten the crap out of them for trying to tie her up. But, as long as the evil lawyers got it wrong, then there was no danger from the prophecy or to Angel’s soul. No, Cordelia wasn’t going to correct their mistake and risk them getting it right the next time.

Cordelia squirmed as Lilah came close, untying the ropes. “Have fun.”

Cordelia glanced up, the questions overcoming her anger. The room darkened and she heard mumbled chanting floating around her. The walls seemed to move, swirling and twirling, creating a black hole. Oh shit, not again, Cordelia panicked as she was sucked through the portal that had formed.

Chapter Seven

“Great, great,” Cordelia mumbled as she got up swiping the dirt off her red silk dress. “Just great. Hmmph,” she grunted. She didn’t want to have to go to the castle and see Groo. “Man…” Cordelia whined. She would have to face him and explain that she hadn’t meant that Love stuff. How embarrassing. But, she needed the stupid priest’s books, if she was going to get back.

Cordelia glanced around. Her faced scrunched up as she noticed the dirty brick walls that surrounded her. She didn’t remember any brick buildings in Pylea. But, then again, she had spent most of her time in the other dimension in a barn, then in a castle. It’s not like she went exploring or anything. Cordelia bit her lip, glancing around, unease growing in her belly. Exploration or not, she just didn’t think that Pylea had any alleys and she was definitely in an alley. Her nose crinkled, it sure didn’t smell like Pylean. Even the barn smelled better than what she getting a whiff of. It was worse than the LA sewers.

Oh no, she whined quietly. She wasn’t in Pylea. And while, LA had some nasty alleys, she was pretty sure she wasn’t in LA, either. Cordelia looked at her feet. Why not? She squeezed her eyes shut and clicked her heels together three times. Still didn’t work. Well, she couldn’t just stand there. OR could she? Angel and gang would be coming after her, right. Cordelia turned and stared at the air, which had once been a swirling black hole. “Come on guys, anytime now. Angel, please.”

Cordelia pouted as nothing happened except her stomach growled. “Great.” Well, she couldn’t just stay here. And Lilah was right; Angel wouldn’t even know Cordelia had been kidnapped, yet. But, he would, and Angel would know that the bitch took Cordelia- then come save her. Cordelia wasn’t exactly sure how, but she knew with a every fiber of her being, Angel would save her. He had to right? “Right,” Cordelia said. But until then, she needed to get out of this gross alley, figure out where she was, and get something to eat. Her stomach growled again.

Cordelia hesitated as she moved toward the entrance of the alley.

“Please, let this be a dimension that humans and demons live in peace. Please.”

Cordelia just wasn’t in the mood to go running for her life or go through that slave crap again. With a deep breath, she stepped out and just as quickly stepped back in. It’s okay, those weren’t demons, just people, a lot of unwashed sorry looking people, in bad outfits. Cordelia peeked around the corner. Her eyes stung as a shift in the wind brought even more of the unpleasant stench to her face. Oh, this was just nasty. She was in hell. Dirty, smelly and bad clothes, the flames were missing but everything else she imagined hell to be, was sure there. When Angel saved her, Cordelia was going to kill that lawyer bitch for dropping her into the middle of a cesspool.

Cordelia listened to the voices around her. Yep, English-English, Wesley’s English. Well, not exactly Wesley’s English but definitely not LA English. She stared at the people; she had seen those bad outfits, before. But in the movies, they were cleaner. Somehow, she landed into a dirtier, seedier version of a Dickens’s tale. Why would another dimension copy 19th century England and do it so disgustingly. The street was lined with dilapidated, but occupied tenements. Eww, she grimaced as a woman tossed a bucket of foul looking liquid out a second story window. Well, Cordelia figured out where the stench was coming from, or at least where some of it came from. Gross. Cordelia glanced further down the road. She saw vendors hawking their wares, everything from food, clothes to flowers, she blinked and themselves, she thought, as she noticed a group of woman beckoning and calling to the men that passed by them.

Cordelia’s eyes were drawn back to the flower cart. An old woman was filling a basket with the blossoms. The old woman was wearing a cloak that hid almost all of what had to be fashion disaster underneath. Cordelia looked down to her own bright red slip dress. Appropriate for an audition, not appropriate out there. This was not the time or the place to draw attention. She needed some other clothes, or a least a cloak. Money, Cordelia needed money. If this dimension was a replica of 19th century England, then it would use money. If she couldn’t have Angel and a rescue, then Cordelia would settle for money, for now. Of course, the lawyer bitch didn’t bother tossing in Cordelia’s purse. Cordelia shook her head. Her purse would’ve been of no use; this definitely was the one place that neither accepted VISA nor MasterCard.

But pearls worked in any century, her hand grazed the necklace around her neck, Cordelia would have to just hope that they worked in this dimension. Okay, this neighborhood had to have a pawnshop of some sorts. But, how to get there, without being propositioned or arrested for indecency. Cordelia glanced around, her eyes widened as she saw a make shift clothesline drawn out between two buildings. She didn’t know why the person even bothered; those clothes and rags weren’t clean. But, there was a cloak.

Chapter Eight

“Angel…” Wesley stopped. There was nothing he could say. Angel was right. Cordelia was missing. She hadn’t shown up at the audition, she wasn’t at her apartment; she wasn’t answering her cell phone. Cordelia always answered her cell phone.

“Angel, there was no sign of a struggle in her apartment.”

“So, all that means was that she wasn’t attacked there. Where is she?” Angel growled, pacing. Cordelia had vanished. Fear, rage boiled through out his body. This was unbearable. More frustrating than when Cordy was sucked into Pylea, at least then they knew where she had gone and had a starting point at which to find her. But, now nothing. Angel’s strong fist slammed into the counter, shattering the wood.

Gunn walked back into the lobby, glanced at the counter then at Angel. He gave an apologetic smile at the vampire’s glare and tone.

“Well?”

“Cops still haven’t seen nothing on my truck.”

“You gave them the address of the studio.”

“Yeah, before we went there, but no sign of it in the blocks around the place or anywhere else. Shit, Angel, the cops aren't looking, they arent't going to find it, unless it was illegally parked."

Angel’s fist rose again.

“Angel.”

Angel ignored Wesley and stared at his fist as it unclenched. “Nails, Cordelia said she was going to get her nail fixed before the audition. Where does she get her nails done?” Angel growled.

Wesley and Gunn looked sheepish again.

“The Hair & Nail Gallery. I go there too, well actually Cordy took me there first.” Fred fidgeted, wiggling her nails towards her hair. She gulped as Angel’s gaze focused in on her. “Um, it’s on tenth near the Boulevard.”

Angel was out the door before Fred finished.

Chapter Nine

Cordelia sniffed the coarse wool around her shoulders and grimaced. She was just going to have to accept the fact that she was not going to stay clean in this dimension. Cordelia halted the ‘eww’ that was threatening to explode out of her mouth as her foot stepped into a foul mixture. She gagged as she lifted her foot, the slime oozed through the straps of her sandals. Cordelia just knew that she had stepped into raw sewage. Her shoes were ruined and she was probably going to catch some nasty disease. Oh, she was in hell all right, and Lilah was dead. Cordelia seriously hopped that the Wolfram & Hart lawyer played difficult with Angel when he figured out that the bitch had kidnapped her. Okay, so, Angel wouldn’t actually kill her, but he could scare her plenty. Cordelia hopped the bitch pissed in her expensive designer pants. Cordelia looked down at her feet again, her sandals were ruined. She sighed. Oh well, she would’ve had to get rid of them soon enough, anyway. Strappy red sling backs that exposed her bright red pedicure toes weren’t at all the norm in this place.

Cordelia continued down the street, careful to avoid mucky puddles and eye contact with the passersby. She glanced up now and again to study the wooden signs hanging above the doors. Her eyes widen as she saw three circles hanging from a bar painted on the sign in front of her. Not neon but definitely the universal symbol of a pawnshop. Damn this dimension copied well, if not on the dirty side. Cordelia hurriedly unclasped her necklace and opened the door into the dark shop. Her eyes peered into the dimness.

“What ya selling?”

Cordelia jumped at the deep voice. She handed the beefy man behind the counter her pearls. The man squinted an eye at the necklace, and then rubbed them against his teeth. He blinked looked at the necklace then at Cordelia. He thrust the necklace back at her.

“I run a respectable place. I’ve no plans to end up in Newgate.”

“Excuse me,” Cordelia pushed the necklace back at the man. “They’re real.”

“Aye, there are. You napped ‘em, to be sure.”

“Napped…Oh, I didn’t steal them I swear. They were a gift.”

“Who would be given the likes of you such finery.” The man looked at Cordelia’s dirty cloak.

Cordelia scowled and choked her retort at the man’s derogatory tone. “I didn’t steal it, you big oaf.” Okay, may be she didn’t choke down all of her retort.

“Where do you come from?’

“Uh?” Shit.

“The colonies, you’re a Yank. What’s a Yank doing in the East End?”

Cordelia’s eyes widened. The dimension copied the founding of the colonies and the American Revolution? And the East End of where? “The United States, right.” She nodded.

“Thought so, ungodly land”

“Look are you going to buy this or what? They’re real, I didn’t steal them….” Cordelia paused trying to calm down. More flies with honey, more flies with honey, she repeated to herself and started again. “Sir, I’m sorry to be so rude, but I pretty much was abandoned here with only the clothes on my back and these. I need some money. They were a gift. Please.”

The man looked again at Cordelia’s cloak, then up to her face. “Come to the light, girl.”

“What?” Cordelia just knew she was going to lose it.

“To the light, girl.”

Cordelia moved to the weak light on the counter. She stared at the man as he studied. The Man leaned back on his heels and raised a brow. “Let me see your hands.”

“Uh,” Cordelia lifted her hands at the man’s insistence.

The man studied the long delicate fingers. His eyes widened at the red polish. A sign of a whore. He looked again at Cordelia’s face. But if the girl was a whore, she hadn’t been one for long; either that or the colonies treated their women of trade kinder than England. There were no signs of drink, disease, or hardness to her eyes and she had all of her teeth, in fact, she was quite pretty. “Not one for an hard honest day of work are ya. Maybe you did nap it. Or sold yourself for them.” He watched her expression.

Cordelia’s eyes flashed daggers. Cordelia wanted to hit some thing, mainly the man standing between her and her means to get food.

A small smile formed on the man’s face. Aye, she was a proud one. And if she was a whore by trade, then he was the Queen’s paramour.

“Abandoned, said he was a gentleman did he?”

Cordelia’s frustration turned to hope as she heard the sympathetic tone.

Cordelia thought quickly. “It’s all so horrifying,” Cordelia let a small tear trickle down her cheek. “He said he would be there, take me to his family, marry me. What am I to do?” Thank god for romance novels.

“There, there girl. Had me daughter of me own. Men can be bastards that for sure.” The man took the necklace. “At least, he gave you some valuable treats. Sad, how many times that tossed aside skirts come in with paste or a death shroud. Sad.”

Cordelia decided to let that comment slide and accepted the coins gratefully. She glanced at the heavy gold coins; she brought them under the light, studying them. An monarch’s head was engraved in the coin, as well as the words, ‘God Save the Queen’. She wasn’t sure, but they looked real, too real in fact. With some trepidation, she looked up. “Not to sound to crazy, but what year is it?”

The man stared. “1889.”

Cordelia shot him a big smile. “Thought so, that sea voyage and all made me start to think that I fell off the world. But no, I'm here in England…in …”

“London. Whitechappel. Don’t you know where you are girl?”

“The Sea air, I’m from the States, feeling really not myself, right now. Whitechappel, the home of Jack the Ripper, wonderful.” Cordelia’s stomach clenched.

A dark scowl descended on the man’s face. “The bastard won’t a East Ender, some say he was a society doctor playing games, some say a Jew, I say he was Satan personified. “

Cordelia’s stomach clenched. She was getting the horrible suspicion that this wasn’t just some dimensions copy of 19th century England, but the real thing. How in the hell, did Wolfram & Hart send her back in time and why? Cordelia couldn’t think about it. Dimension, time it made no difference, between Angel’s powers of persuasion and Wesley’s smarts, they would figure out how to save her. She just needed to remain calm, inconspicuous and unfortunately stay in Whitechappel, until they could. Her thoughts were interrupted by the man’s last words.

“Satan he was, spreading his evil, then returning to hell where he belonged, but not before he took me Mary.” The man’s eyes were filled with anger and sorrow.

“Mary?”

“Aye, me daughter.”

Cordelia closed her eyes. Cordelia wasn’t one to study serial killers; she got enough blood and terror through her visions. But she knew about Jack the Ripper, everyone knew about the first serial killer, or at least the first reported one, famous for his brutality and elusiveness from detection. Wesley had told her once that some in the Watcher's Council believed the Ripper to be a demon, possibly a vampire, but they didn’t even know. It was just speculation. Cordelia thought it just a bunch of humans expounding excuses, humans that couldn’t accept that another human could be so evil. Which was stupid considering all of the glorious examples of evil that the human race could boast of. Cordelia held up a hand and caressed the gruff’ man’s face. “I’m truly sorry for you. She didn’t deserve that horror, no one does”

The big man blinked and jerked away, clearing his throat. “Aye.”

Cordelia smiled. “Thank you.”

“Aye.”

Cordelia turned to go.

The man watched her. A thrown away fancy piece, maybe, but a lady definitely. His Mary would’ve never been considered a lady, but she was- before the streets and the devil took her. He would not let it happen to another, not if he could help it.

“Child.”

“Hmm,” Cordelia paused. She didn’t know why but the man’s attitude had done a complete 360 towards her.

The man saw the question in her big eyes. He smiled. She really did remind him of his lost Mary.

“You will need a place to stay and a job. Those coins will get you only so far, then the streets will be your only option.”

Cordelia looked at the coins in her hand. She didn’t even know how far they would get her. An overwhelming, helplessness washed over her. She was lost, really lost. Please, Angel, she begged.

“Gerty runs an Inn down the road, on the edge of the East End. It’s as respectable as you’re going to get in the Stews. Tell her Pa Kelly sent you, she’ll put you up in a real room with a real bed, and give you a job, but lass, don’t be going upstairs, that’s where the light o skirts ply their trade. You don’t need to be doing that.”

Pa’s eyes widened as Cordelia filled the room with a bright smile. Lordy, the child could take the wind out of any man’s sails.

“Don’t be letting them drag you up those stairs.” He warned. “And the Ripper as been silent for almost a year, but don’t you be going out after dark.”

Cordelia giggled and smiled. “Don’t worry, I don’t go anywhere I don’t want to…unless I’m drugged, tied up or enchanted, and the after sundown thing, I got that one covered.” She laughed at Pa’s expression. “I’ll be fine,” she smiled, running up a placing a kiss on the man’s cheek. “Thank you, Pa.”

Tears threatened to run down Pa’s reddening cheeks. He was going to have to visits Gerty’s real soon. He would make sure that the beautiful child didn’t end up like his Mary.

Chapter Ten

Angel scanned the city street.

Wesley stopped Gunn, as the black man was about to comment. “Let him be.”

Angel searched the night air for Cordelia’s scent.

They had reached the salon moments ago. Long enough to find out that Cordelia had been there, that she had been talking about the commercial and how she had been debating to drive there are just walk. It wasn’t that far from the salon to the studios and parking in LA could be a bitch. She had decided to walk; it had been a pretty day. The smog was less oppressive than usual.

They found Gunn’s truck quickly. There had been no sign’s of a struggle. So, now Wesley and Gunn were visually scanning the area, while Angel utilizes his more discerning senses to find something, anything that would lead to Cordelia.

Fred watched the men and vampire, impressive, but not very effective. The young woman’s eyes went to a newsstand across the street. She started to cross. Tires screeched as she jumped back. The noise brought Angel, Wesley, and Gunn’s attention to her.

“Fred what are you doing,” Wesley lectured.

“I was thinking that instead of standing here looking and smelling, that maybe we should ask him,” she pointed to the newsstand’s vendor, “if he saw Cordy.” She blinked, nervously. “I mean who doesn’t notice Cordy.”

Angel was across the street in an instant. Wesley and Gunn followed slower dodging the traffic.

Fred pouted for a moment. It was her idea. She shrugged and tentatively crossed the street. She reached the other side in time to hear Wesley tell Angel to put the man down.

There were times that Fred was envious of Cordelia’s beauty, confidence and relationship with Angel, that was until things like this happened. Fred had to give credit where credit was due, sure, Fred knew that Angel wasn’t a beast, but sometimes he could be rather difficult. And Cordelia definitely had the ability to tame the beast. Fred winced at her choice of thoughts. She hadn’t meant the beast part, honest.

“Angel,” Wesley repeated. “Gunn.”

“Right. Angel, not productive, scary. Put the man down.”

Angel growled, but let the man loose.

The old man’s eyes were wide and his body shaking. “What’s the matter with him.”

“He’s a little excitable, not dangerous, just a bit high strung.” Wesley explained.

The wrinkled black man squinted his eyes suspiciously. “High strung, sure.”

“Yes, well, we were wondering, whether you here this afternoon.”

“24-7, that’s what the sign says.”

Wesley nodded at the cardboard sign that proclaimed the newsstand opened 24 hours. “Yes, well then you were here this afternoon.”

“Yeah,” the man narrowed his eyes.

“Did you happen to see a young woman, early 20’s, dark hair, red dress, beautiful?"

“This is LA, come on,”

“She is…” Wesley stalled, how did you describe Cordelia. There was the obvious, but the old man was right, this was LA, beautiful woman were a dime a dozen. So how do you explain that Cordelia was something more, something special?

“She makes time stand still, the breath stops in your throat.” Angel said.

“Oh, her.”

“You saw her.”

“I don’t know. What kind of description is that, except a love sick one. But I did see a very beautiful young girl in a red dress, but she was an actress.”

“An actress,” Wesley asked.

“Yeah, they were filming, the man said it was for a new movie.”

“Filming what?’

“See it was all exciting, at first. Most of the time, you can see the film crews; you know streets blocked off, yellow tape, police telling you to stay away. But this time, none of that. I thought it was real.”

“What was real,” Angel’s voice was low, the growl vibrated in his throat.

The old black man jumped at the sound. “Why does he do that?"

“Nervous condition, please ignore him and continue.” Wesley urged.

“That’s it, I saw a dark van pull up and snatch the pretty actress from the street. Then whoosh, off. It looked real, I was about to call the cops, when the man came up and told me it was all for a movie. The cameras were up there in the windows, he said they wanted to experiment with the shots. “ The old man looked up to where he had pointed. “ Funny, I never saw the cameras go up or down for that matter. Weird.”

“Gunn.”

“Got it.” Gunn answered, dragging at Angel’s arm pulling the vampire away from the old man. “Angel, he is not who you want to kill. Okay.”

Angel grunted. “Let me go.”

“Angel.”

“Gunn,” Angel’s voice was low and deadly.

Gunn shrugged and gave up.

Angel went to the old man. “The person that explained that what you saw was a movie, did he have a name.” Angel said calmly.

“No, but he gave me a card.”

“Really, may I see it?"

The old man’s eyes narrowed again, he didn’t like the dark man’s calm approach either. The calmness was just, if not more scary than the craziness. But, if giving him the card would get rid of him, then it was his.

“Okay.” The old man gave Angel the business card.

Angel looked at it; with a fierce growl, he crumbled up the small card and took off across the street.

“English,” Gunn asked torn between following the vampire and finding out what set him off.

Wesley picked up the crumbled card. “No.” Wesley shook his head. “No.” He repeated. “Wolfram & Hart.” The damaged card fluttered to the ground.

“Shit.”

“Let’s go. It has to be trap.”

“We aren’t going to catch him.”

“Then….”

Wesley’s words were muted by the sound of Angel’s tires squealing against the curb as the black convertible rolled to a stop.

“Angel…” Wesley started and stopped as the car’s engine started to rev up again. “Of course, you’re in a hurry,” Wesley mumbled as he vaulted over the passenger door.

“Fred, take care of my truck.” Gunn tossed his keys as he jumped into the back seat of the now moving vehicle.

Fred stared as the black car sped off. It wasn’t fair; it had been her idea to talk to the newsvendor in the first place. Oh well. Fred gave a nervous smile to the old black man. “Thank you.”

The old man’s nod and look clearly showed that he was glad to be rid of all of them.

***

“Angel, you know this has to be a trap.”

Angel remained silent as he gripped the steering wheel. He would level Wolfram & Hart with bodies, blood and stone if he didn’t find Cordelia.

“Angel, the prophecy, Wolfram & Hart may have found it. And they took Cordelia to bring you to them. They may have found a drug or gas or something that could release Angelus.”

“Yeah, then they could just feed Cordelia to you, I mean to him. the evil guy, not to you. Then you're damned and Cordy is dead. Maybe you better let English and I check things out first.”

“I won’t lose my soul by some drug or gas.”

“Angel, I beg to differ, it has happened before.”

“It won’t now.”

“Angel, I know you want to find Cordelia, we all do. But, you can’t let that blind you to the risks. Drugs can create that feeling..”

“My soul is permanent.”

“That simulates the euphoria….What? Your soul is permanent, since when, how, why don’t I know?”

“Epiphany.”

“You never said that your epiphany included soul permanency, did he, Gunn.”

“Hell, no. I ‘d have remembered.”

“Are you sure? I mean have you…” Wesley’s eyes widened. “You and Cordelia haven’t…no, she seemed pretty positive that Buffy was your soul mate, and I can’t imagine….I don’t want to imagine it…Did you?”

“Cordelia doesn’t know and no, I haven’t tested it, by any means. Like it would’ve worked without Cordelia.”

“Stop, the mental images…" Gunn winced in the backseat. “You’re talking about Cordy, hey, like you’re talking about my sister. She ain’t having sex.”

“What was that, Angel?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh, I thought you mumbled or rather growled something." Wesley shook his head, trying not to laugh. He shouldn’t laugh, this was very serious. But Angel’s growl at the idea that Cordelia wouldn’t be having sex was funny and a bit disturbing when he thought about it some more. Gunn was right; those were not the mental pictures he wished to have.

“I said Lorne verified it. My soul is permanent.”

“That’s good. But the prophecy calls for the demon within to kill Cordelia. That’s Angelus. Good lord, have Wolfram & Hart found a way to take away your permanent soul. Angel, you really should allow Gunn and I to check things out before you walk into a trap.”

“I’m going.”

“And if they have?”

“Then you kill Angelus and save Cordelia.”

“Oh. That sounds like a plan.” Wesley shot a look at Gunn.

Gunn shrugged. “The tranq guns are in the trunk right?”

Chapter Eleven

Cordelia was really beginning to have a crisis of faith. She was sure that Angel would have come by now. It had been five days. Maybe time ran differently here. She just didn’t know. Cordelia looked in disgust at the tray she was holding. Once more into the deep, trenches, what was that saying? Damn. Oh well how about once more into the swarming mass of grabbing, smelly men. Cordelia took a deep breath a ventured out into the Inn’s taproom. She guessed, she should be grateful. Gerty had given her a job and after repeated refusals on Cordelia’s part, Gerty gave her a place to stay other than the upstairs. And relatively speaking the room even with the rats and bed lice was a palace compared to some of the lodging houses she had seen. The living conditions in the East End were abhorrent; she didn’t know how England made it to the 20th century. By all rights, the population should have died out from poverty, disease, and despair. If Cordelia had to stick around this hellhole any longer, she just might have to start the suffrage, employment reform, and anti-pollution movements a little earlier than history dictated. The only good thing was, she hadn’t seen or felt via visions any sign of demon activity. The demon’s probably thought this place was too disgusting to venture forth. But, for the life of her, Cordelia couldn’t figure out why Wolfram & Hart sent her here. Was it just randomly sadistic or did they have a plan. Maybe they didn’t think she was Angel’s soul mate, maybe they just wanted her out of the way because they knew that there was no way that Cordelia would allow Angel to lose his soul. Which was true. But, some how, she really didn’t think that Wolfram & Hart were in fear of her abilities. Everyone either misjudged or underestimated Cordelia. Except Angel. That’s why she liked him so much; he gave her credit and valued her. A very heady feeling. It’s a shame that he was a dead guy that was in love with some one else. Otherwise…Stupid thoughts, she didn’t have time to wallow in what ifs and maybes. Facts were facts, Angel loved Buffy, and Cordelia was stuck in the dirty, smelly past. Right now, she would be tempted to sell her soul for a bar of soap and a can of Lysol.

Her rambling thoughts were interrupted by a sound of laugher and the shiver it brought to her spine. She glanced around. Angel, thank god, she dropped her tray and started to pick up her skirts to run to him. Cordelia instantly noted in a frown that he had managed to get better 19th century garb than she did, he looked pretty good in it, too, damn good, but nothing beat his black duster. She couldn’t wait to get home. Cordelia’s increased pace slowed as she heard another voice.

“Let’s get out of this hell hole, there is a fashionably party uptown with many a tasty bits.”

Cordelia stopped and stared. Spike, why would Angel bring Spike to save her. Sure, maybe Spike was one of the good guys in a chip sort of mandatory way, but why? She took a step closer, ignoring the angry shouts of the men her tray landed on. Her eyes widened, her feet stalled as the commotion behind her got louder. Darla, Drusilla. She watched as the two vampire’s glided up to Angel and Spike.

“Spikey’s right, come on daddy, this is so boring. Let’s go to a party.”

“Yes, Angelus,” Darla laughed. “Can’t take the tap room out of you can I, my boy? Really, Whitechapel?”

Oh shit, Cordelia stumbled back ramming into the men that had gotten up behind her.

“What’s wrong with you wench. This was my new suit.”

“Let me go,” she cried. Cordelia had to get out of there. Her vision blinked in and out of focus as a familiar pain started to build up in her skull. God no, please, she cried as the images over took her.

Cordelia fell, one hand grabbing her head, the other grabbing at a wooden chair to steady her fall. The tears started to form, as the chair broke, causing her to crash to the floor.

“The wench is possessed.”

“Get out of the dark ages, she is having one of those fits that I read about. Glad I didn’t bed her.”

The voices swarmed around her head as the visions flashed through.

“Cordy, me darlin', Cordy.”

Cordelia let the big hands draw her up. She blinked. “Pa.”

“Come on child, I’ll take care of ye. Back away you fools, let the girl breathe.”

“I’m okay." Cordelia stood, turning to give a grateful smile to Pa, her hand still holding on to the broken back of the chair. Her gaze froze as she stared straight into Drusilla. The vampiress had pushed her way through the circle that had formed around Cordelia.

“What did the little birds, say?’” the willowy vampire urged to Cordelia. “Daddy, the birds talk to the pretty one.”

Cordelia lost it. She hated Dru just as much as she hated Darla. Both of the undead bitches had caused Angel nothing but pain and major broodiness, and not to mention risked his redemption. That and the stress and frustration of the last five days, the pain and horror of the vision, did it. Cordelia couldn't help it. She lost it.

“Get away from me you crazy dead bitch.” Cordelia slammed the wooden back of the chair against the hard surface of the table, splintering the wood; making two very good make shift spikes. She thrust it towards Drusilla.

“Dru, pet, it’s time to leave.” Spike moved into the crowd, beckoning his mate away from the jagged pieces of wood.

“Not real smart threatening my princess.”

“Fuck you, Willy,” Cordelia retorted, keeping the stakes steady.

Spike let out a low growl.

“Scary, how about I shout vampire and stake your ass,” Cordelia whispered.

“Cordy?”

“Stay away, Pa. These people were just leaving, weren’t you?”

“Yes, we were. Thank you for making this a memorable evening,” Angelus eyes’ locked onto Cordelia’s. “Very memorable.”

Cordelia fought down the shiver that ran through her being as she held the demon’s gaze. “Goodnight, then." She glared.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“Leave or I’m doing the Van Helsing bit.”

Angelus shrugged in ignorance then grinned and motioned to Darla, Spike, and Dru.

Cordelia stood completely still as the vampires left.

“Cordy?”

“Pa, can you please use your charm with Gerty and make sure I still have a job. Tell her to take the broken stuff out of my salary, for what that’s worth.”

“But,”

“I get these headaches, it won’t affect my work, please.” She flashed a smile and blinked.

Pa started to turn pink and nodded.

“Thank you,” she beamed.

Pa knew that the girl was a bit strange, but that smile.

Cordelia gave quick little smiles to the other customers that were staring. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt anything, Show’s over go back to whatever,” she said as she ran to the door of the inn. Cordelia concentrated and recited the words that she had memorized as soon as she realized that vampires existed. The inn was safe, for now at least.

Cordelia tucked the wooden stake in her skirt and ran to pick up another. She didn’t know how it could help with what she had to do. But maybe it could keep her alive until she got there. Then she slipped out the door. Cordelia glanced around. Shit, she couldn’t tell if the ‘Scourge of Europe’ actually left the area or not, but that wasn’t her concern right now. She had to get to the alley. Damn, everything happens at once. Cordelia darted along the street taking care to notice every shadow or noise. Finally, she crept into the alley, just in time to see the man in the dark flowing cloak raise his knife towards the woman’s throat. Cordelia moved quickly picking up a large discarded lead pipe and swung with all her might. She released her breath as the man fall stunned to the ground.

The woman stared wide-eyed, her terror apparent in her posture. Cordelia recognized her; she was one of the local prostitutes that frequented the Inn.

“The devil, Ripper…”

“Go, run.” Cordelia urged. The woman blinked and nodded, then took off.

Cordelia stared at the fallen man. She knelt down, her fingers reaching for his chest. Damn, he was human. She never killed a human before, never wanted to, well okay, maybe a couple, but that had been just talk. But Jack the Ripper, she couldn’t let him just wake up and go. She just couldn’t, he may not be a demon, but he was pure evil. There was always the police. But, this wasn’t the 21st century with its forensic evidence and the only witnesses were a whore and her, who was a bar wench not that much higher on the credibility scale. No, she couldn’t risk it. Cordelia stood to raise the pipe again, praying for her soul.

“The sight and the bloodlust, an intriguing combination.”

Shit. Cordelia dropped the lead pipe and grasped the wooden stakes as she turned to face Angelus. She looked around for the rest of the fanged four. “Where’s the entourage. I heard you always liked an audience.”

“I’m flattered.”

“Don’t be.” Cordelia couldn’t afford to take her eyes off Angelus, but she had to know where the others of the evil foursome were located. She slowly backed up until she was up against the wall. Well, she was good and royally fucked if they were above.

“But, it’s just you and me.”

“Yeah, right, like that Blonde bitch would let you out of her sight, get a life,” Cordelia couldn’t help it, she started to laugh. “Get a life, get it.” Cordelia got a hold of herself. “Come out, Come out where ever you are you blond dead floozy. Told you so.” Cordelia smirked at Angelus as Darla dropped from above. “Possessive, isn’t she.” Cordelia pushed back further into the wall, her other hand pulling out a second stake. “I may not be a slayer, but I’ve been taught by one and a vampire with a soul.”

“Soul, “ Angelus said involuntarily.

“Get use to saying it.”

“Darla, “ Angelus ordered.

“I want her dead, she knows who were are.”

“Who? Please, what is more like it."

“I want her dead.”

“I want, I want, geez you always were a whiner, I thought maybe it was just a human condition, but no, it was always there, it makes one wonder about truthfulness of the whole scourge of Europe hype. And your taste in women,” she shot to Angelus. “A loon, and a whiner, and really it doesn’t get much better.”

“Darla.” Angelus ordered again. “Leave her.”

“My boy.”

“Go.”

Darla glared, “I will kill you.”

“Heard that before.” Cordelia rolled her eyes.

Darla stalked out of the alley. Angelus stayed. “You are intriguing, foolish, possibly crazy, but definitely of interest and quite the tempting morsel.” Angelus was up against Cordelia in a flash, the stakes on the ground. “Slayer you’re not. But you do have a spirit and I love that in a woman.”

“Who could tell with your track record? And Angelus, don’t underestimate me,” she said as she brought a third stake up against his chest.

He slowly backed away and laughed. “You will be mine. Oh, I left you a present.” He laughed again as he disappeared into the blackness of the night.

“And I left you one,” Cordelia didn’t know where her courage was coming from or the idea. She pointed to the unconscious body of Jack the Ripper. “Drink and be merry, because who knows tomorrow you may be dust.”

Angelus growled and looked. He was hungry. “Thank you, I do hope you find your present as appetizing.” He winked and moved back into the alley, leaving room for Cordelia to pass.

Cordelia didn’t breathe or think, she just ran. Ran as fast as she could back to the rooming house where she was staying. She stopped momentarily to recite the barrier spell at the front door and once again at the door that led to the floor that her room was on. Cordelia slammed her door. And recited it once more. Okay, maybe overkill, but she couldn’t be sure, in the last five days Cordelia noticed that every stranger in the immediate area made their way into the rooming house. Obliviously, Pa didn’t know that the light skirts plied their trade here as well as the second floor of the inn.

Cordelia slumped to the floor, the adrenaline that had directed all of her actions since seeing Angelus drained quickly from her body. Dry heaves threatened to overtake her. She struggled up stumbling for the water basin. God, what she wouldn’t give for Dennis and a bath. Or..Please Angel, come soon. Cordelia shook herself, she would be fine until Angel came, he just needed to come. She couldn’t handle Angelus with out the knowing that Angel was there. She rested her head against the iron of the basin. They did it somehow, Wolfram & Hart sent her back into the past, where the Scourge of Europe reigned supreme, and Angelus wouldn’t be getting his soul for at least another decade. Angel had better save her soon, because she knew that she couldn’t last that long.

Cordelia splashed the luke-warm stale water on her face and plopped on the bed, her hand searching for the pillow. Instead of a pillow, her hand found cooling flesh and blood. Cordelia bit back her scream and jumped up. She ran to the lantern and after several bad attempts, lit the match. Cordelia stared at the sickening display of Pa’s lifeless body on the bed.

Well, it had been stupid to assume that Jenny Calendar had been Angelus first attempt at grotesque dead art. Cordelia fell against the wall and stared. Tears welling up for the gruff, big man that had offered her his help. "The devil took his own, the Ripper is dead.” She whispered to the lifeless body. “Evil incarnate stole the blood from satin personified." Cordelia refused to dwell on God's or the Powers, or whoever's sick humour. "Your Mary has been revenged and now you can protect her in heaven.” Cordelia prayed, there had to be a heaven for innocents that evil destroyed, there just had to be, she begged any power that would listen.

With a brisk brush of her hand, Cordelia wiped her tears away and the practical side took over, wondering what the hell she was going to do with the body. She struggled up and went to the window. There he was just like she figured. Angelus did always want to know that the gift was received and appreciated. Cordelia forced a light-hearted smile into the darkness. Make the bastard wonder. She waved.

Chapter Eleven

“Lila’s still in the building.” Angel pointed to a dark Mercedes parked in Wolfram & Hart’s underground lot. Angel moved to the elevator.

“Angel, it maybe better to wait for her here.”

“Cordelia maybe up there.”

“And she may not be. Angel, if you barge in and it’s a trap then you aren't helping Cordelia. It’s almost eleven; Lila doesn’t strike me as one that likes too spend all night working. Let’s give it some time. Please, Angel. Our purpose is to find Cordelia, not to bring Angelus to Wolfram & Hart. The risks are too great.”

Angel growled. His head jerked back to the elevator. “Someone is coming down. Go back to the car.”

Wesley stopped his protest and with Gunn headed back in the direction of the car. He and Gunn took position behind separate concrete columns, each armed with tranquilizer guns.

Lila got off the elevator and headed for her car. She fumbled with her briefcase, as she attempted to get her car keys out of her purse. The case fell to the ground. “Damn’t” Lila clutched her keys and bent down.

“Here let me,” Angel whispered.

Lila hadn’t enough time to straighten before Angel grabbed her by the neck and slammed her up against her vehicle. “When will you learn that Parking garages are dangerous?” He said, his game face inches from her’s, his voice smooth as silk. “Very dangerous, but them I do question your intelligence, taking Cordelia was definitely not very smart, no not at all. You do see that don’t you.” Angel grinned.

Lila’s feet kicked out uselessly. Angel smashed her body, immobilizing it with his greater weight and strength. “Lila, the only possible way that you will not be screaming in pain in the next minute is if you tell me where she is.” Angel’s free hand gripped at the terrified woman’s arm yanking up and behind her back. “50 more seconds.” He twisted her arm.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. We don’t have your seer.”

“Wrong answer.” Angel twisted, until a satisfying snap was heard. Lila’s scream was muffled as Angel pressed his hand over her mouth. “Shall we try this again? But, I should warn you I’m losing patience, I can’t guarantee that I will be as gentle next time.” Angel smiled, gripping her trembling fingers in his fist. “Now, where is Cordelia?”

Lila shook her head. “We don’t…”

“Now you are just making me angry.” Angel said, as he crushed the small bones in her hand. “I know Wolfram & Hart kidnapped her, black van, a ‘film’, Jeremy Reynolds, who’s he Lindsay’s new replacement. Impressive business card.” Angel’s hand moved tightening around Lila’s wrist, squeezing.

Lila’s eyes widened. That stupid son of a bitch. She gasped as the pressure of Angel’s grip increased.

“She’s gone, okay. You’re too late.” Lila tried to sound triumphant but her fear and pain were ruining the effect.

“Too late, you better be mistaken, otherwise, I have no use for you or this prolonged play.”

“You wouldn’t”

Angel laughed. “Of course, I would and I would enjoy it.”

Lila gulped the tears streaming down her face. Never in all of her imaginings or speculations about Angel, had she expected that the vampire with a soul would kill a human. Now, who was the stupid one, she should have realized that soul or not, Angel was capable of anything, after all, he did chop off Lindsay’s hand and leave the lawyers, her included to be killed by Darla and Drusilla. Lila started babbling and if she didn’t just wet her pants.

“My briefcase, the spell….she was sent back in time.“

“Lila, dear, this really isn’t the time to make up outrageous stories. It isn’t going to save you.” Angel crushed her wrist.

Lila choked on her scream as Angel’s hand slammed against her mouth. Lilah shook her head, trying to dislodge his hand. She gasped as he released her mouth. “I’m not lying, damn you. We found a spell. My briefcase. Your seer is gone, sent through a time portal.”

Angel stepped back, Lila crumpled to the ground. He picked up the briefcase. “Lila, if you are lying, there will be no games next time, you will just be dead.”

“I’m telling the truth.” She said to the retreating back of the vampire. Lila struggled to pull her body up against the car. She saw her purse lying open, her cell phone in sight. She cried, she couldn’t reach it or use it; both of her arms and hands were useless. Lila was going to kill Jeremy. The idiot left his card for Angel to find. Angel was not supposed to know about the kidnapping, not this soon, preferably never, but definitely not before, he was safely damned. Lila winced as she willed her lower body towards the elevator. She just hoped that she also didn’t end up dead, when the senior partner found out that Angel now had the spell. Maybe Lindsay hadn’t been foolish to get the hell out LA and away from Wolfram & Hart, and the vampire with a soul.

***

Angel thrust the briefcase at Wesley as he got into the car.

“Cordy isn’t in there?”

“They did a spell, transported her to the past through a portal. It’s in there.” He motioned to the briefcase as he pressed on the gas.

“A what? A time portal?” Wesley quickly reached for the clasps of the case.

“Man…Could she have been lying? She has to be lying.”

“She wasn’t.”

Gunn’s eyes widened and looked back to crawling woman. “No, I suppose she wasn’t.” Gunn said.

“Goodness.”

“What? Is it a spell? A time portal spell?”

“I have no earthly clue. It’s a spell, I presume, the words are incantations, but these symbols and equations…I just don’t know.”

Chapter Twelve

“It’s a mathematical description for time travel. The equation utilizes the theories of Einstein and Newton as well as…”

“It’s a real equation, not just a bunch of numbers?”

“It’s a theoretical equation, valid even.” Fred said, annoyed by Gunn’s interruption.

“Time travel is possible?”

“In theory, but it’s impractical, the power needed for it to be operational has not been discovered yet, if it ever will be. But the math is right.”

“But…”

“Wesley, you maybe the expert on demons and magic, but this is my area. It is description for time travel, the equation that would be needed to design a time machine. All that would be needed is the power to make it work.”

“This is nuts.” Gunn just shook his head.

“And going through a dimension portal wasn’t?”

“Magic is power.” Angel growled.

Wesley took the paper from Fred. Wesley nodded as he reread the incantations. “Yes, if the equations do truly depict time travel….”

“They do.”

“Then it is possible.”

“So, do it.”

“Angel, it’s not that simple. The spell and equation may create a time portal, in lieu of an actual machine, but we don’t know what time they sent Cordelia. We need to know.”

“No we don’t, we just need to go.”

“Angel, if the portal is like the portal to Pylea, we could end up in the wrong place or the wrong time.”

“Lawyer chick still has the use of her legs. Angel could go back and ask her.”

Angel nodded and turned to leave.

“I was kidding.” Gunn mumbled.

“Well, he wasn’t you saw that.” Wesley shook his head. “Angel wait, there may be some more information in the briefcase.”

Wesley pulled out a file and another loose piece a paper. “It’s the prophecy.”

“How would sending Cordelia through a time portal bring back Angelus?” Gunn asked.

“It wouldn’t….Angel.” Wesley held up the file. “It’s your history or rather a portion of Angelus’ – London 1880’s – 1890’s” Wesley winced as he looked through it. “Active wasn’t he? They must have gotten the information from Darla. …. Angel…Wolfram & Hart couldn’t bring Angelus here, so….”

Angel listened to Wesley’s words; they sounded as if they were coming from far away. Cordelia, his Cordelia was alone somewhere in the past, somewhere Angelus could touch her. He should be enraged or terrified, but strangely, he felt nothing but a eerie sort of calmness. As if he was on the outside of his body, looking in. The world was starting to fade.

Fred picked up the time portal spell again. “It’s a specific equation. The distance and velocity vectors aren't variables but constants. I think the equation itself indicates the time period and coordinates.

“You think? We can’t afford to be wrong by even a day or city.”

“We won’t be or won’t be by much, I think. This is theoretical,” Fred defended at Wesley and Gunn’s look. “But, the portal should form in the same place, as for the time, that should be the same too, well give or take hours or days.”

“We…"

“Wesley, if were earlier, we wait, if it’s after, then we just find Cordy. We have the time, Angel still has is soul so obviously Angelus hasn’t killed Cordy yet.”

Wesley winced, and shot a concerned glance at Angel. The vampire hadn’t said anything in a while, no growls, no pacing, nothing.

“Angel, Angel…” Wesley waved his hand in front of the vampire. “I think he is in shock.”

“Yo, Angel." Gunn snapped his fingers.

Angel slowly blinked. “I’m going. Angelus will not touch Cordelia.”

“Of course, we’re going. Angel, Winifred is right, Cordelia must still be alive, or the prophecy would have happened. And it is not necessarily true that she is in immediate danger from Angelus, just because they sent her back presumably to the latter 19th century London, doesn’t mean that Angelus has come across her or would kill her if he did. Angelus doesn’t know who she is; to him she would be just another young woman. Angelus didn’t kill everyone he came into contact with.”

“Yeah, and Cordy does know him, if she sees him, she will avoid him.”

Angel stared at his friends and laughed.

“The vamp is still in fly away zone. English hit him.”

Angel held up his hand, his burst of laughter dying into small sorrowful ironic gasps. Avoid Angelus? Just another woman? Angel thought back to Angelus’ appearance in the 20th century. The demon may have been obsessed with tormenting Buffy in Sunnydale, spurned on by Angel’s love for the slayer, but Angelus had noticed the beautiful dark haired teenager and if he hadn’t been vanquished, Angel had no doubt that after he got bored playing with Buffy, Angelus would have turned his attention to Cordelia. Just has Angelus had planned to do when he made his brief appearance in LA. Avoid him; Angelus wouldn’t let her, not if he saw her. And he would see Cordelia, of that Angel had no doubt.

Angel shook his head at the foolishness of his friends. “No, sometimes Angelus did leave the beautiful, bright and spirited ones alive- insane and broken, but still, I guess you could say they were alive.”

Wesley, Gunn, and Fred shifted nervously at the wretchedness of Angel’s tone.

“Um, yes, well, we have the spell, we should probably get prepared to leave, then, yes..” Wesley was the first one to collect himself, sort of.

“Actually,” Fred hesitated; she held the spell in her hand. “I do think that the equation depicts the coordinates and time, but see, that maybe a problem.” She pushed her glasses up.

Angel growled. His mood had shifted again. The shock, the sorrow gone, in their place anger and impatience. He had to get to Cordelia.

Fred involuntarily moved closer to Gunn. “It’s the coordinates there, but not here. It’s a one-way spell.”

“Might be a problem?” Gunn looked at the young woman.

“Um, it’s just..”

Angel stifled his growl and took a unnecessary needed breath. “It works?”

“To there, I guess, yes, to there.” Fred fumbled.

Angel nodded. “Then do it.”

“Angel, this could be serious.” Wesley pushed his glasses up.

“Could be?” Gunn switched his gaze to Wesley.

Angel ignored Gunn. “Will the spell open the portal and take me to Cordelia.” He turned to Fred.

“Yes…most likely,” she shrugged.

“Angel?”

“Do it.”

“Angel, we have to get back.”

“No, I have to find Cordelia.”

“Angel…”

“Um, the portal will open. You can go through either way, we just can’t create it from there to get here.”

Angel nodded. “Then stay, keep the portal open. I will go and bring Cordelia back. Do it.”

“But the power source?” Fred looked at Wesley. “That’s magic. Will it be to maintain its power indefinitely?”

“Angel and I will go, you and Gunn stay. Do the spell every 24 hours at…” Wesley paused, calculating quickly. “10:00 pm.” He signed. “Angel, I don’t know how this works. I don’t know if there will be a time change…what I mean,” He said at the other’s looks. “Is whether there is a time difference or not. It’s almost 1am now in LA, but it’s almost dawn the next day in London right now. If the same holds true in time travel, then if we went through the portal now, Angel would be in flames. We can’t count on the same conditions that existed for Pylea. It would be best if we waited before leaving.

“No.”

“Angel.’

“I’ll take a blanket. Now let’s go.”

“I want to go.”

Angel took another deep unnecessary needed breath. Angel was reaching his limit; he could feel the rage and frustration threatening to take over. And that would not be healthy for his well- meaning friends.

“Wesley, you have exactly 15 minutes to gather whatever you’re about to say we need to get and to do whatever else you think we need to do. Gunn, you will stay with Fred and make sure Wolfram & Hart doesn’t try in anyway to interfere. Understood.”

“Angel, we can’t go like this.” Wesley waved at their clothes. “We are about to go on a rescue mission in 19th century London. “

“I’ll take care of that. Anything else. Fine.” Angel strode up the stairs of the lobby.

“I guess I’ll go get some weapons then.”

“I want to go.”

“Shush, Charles, I don’t think Angel is in the mood.” Fred said shaking her head.

***

Angel yanked out the wooden chest out from under his bed. Every year, every decade that past with it still in his possession, he would wonder why. Now, he knew. Angel pulled out the woolen suits and coins. Souvenirs of a time that he loathed; a time when Angelus was at his best. Sure, there were times after London that Angelus made his evil mark on the world, but it was in London that he enjoyed it the most. He had his family that he led them into society, only then to guide them on how to destroy that same society. Darla may have been older, she may have had the will, but it was Angelus that had the skill. And he used it well. It disgusted and saddened Angel, but mostly it terrified him that Cordelia would now be fully exposed to the evil of Angelus, to the demon within Angel.

Chapter Thirteen

Cordelia sat in the corner of her new room. She heard the sounds of voices, laugher, and yelling all mixing to create a rumbling thunder that penetrated the floor and walls. Cordelia had moved into the Inn, the second night after her confrontation with Jack the Ripper, and Angelus.

She had spent most of the rest of that night pretending that Pa was a slimy demon that needed to be hacked and disposed of. Cordelia didn’t know how she did it, but she did. And disposing of the body, turned out to criminally easy. It’s seems that Whitechappel had so much crime, filth, and residents that minded their own business that no one noticed or cared that she was dragging bloody heavy sheets to the street and tossing them into the heap of trash lined along the alley. Cordelia had gone back to the room, blocking her tears and fears, just concentrating on the ritual of washing her body slowly and as thoroughly has she could with a rag and basin. The next day she went to work.

The regular customers and staff had looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to put on another performance. Cordelia refused to acknowledge their looks and just smiled and served. Soon, they became weary of their watch.

When the taproom closed for the legitimate customers, she left to go to her room down the street, her stake firmly in her hand.

Cordelia had jumped as a silent dark figure sidled up to her side. Before she had time to react, the stake was on the ground.

“I just wanted to walk you home.”

Cordelia fumbled into the body of her skirt. Her hands were brought up swift and empty. “Not very polite, all I wanted to do was make sure you got safely home.”

“Right”

“It’s true, I’m intrigued. How do you know about us? I would’ve have remembered you if I had met you before…”

“Yeah, and I would be dead.”

Angelus shrugged. “You do know that the sight is the sign of the devil. So, what’s your disagreement with vampires.”

Cordelia stopped, glanced around, and thought quickly. She took a step back away from the vampire, her expression fearful. “Devil?”

“The devil, there is evil in you girl, why fight it?”

Cordelia widened her eyes and stepped back again, her hands going to her breast in shock. “Evil?”

Angelus studied her, and moved. But he was too late; Cordelia had taken that last step into the doorway of her boardinghouse. He tried to follow, but the spell that Cordelia was frantically reciting barred him.

“You think this will keep me out?”

“Long enough, for me to get to my room, where there will be no one to invite you in.”

Angelus growled.

Cordelia laughed. “Oh, keep that lame ass line about sight and the devil for loony tunes like Dru. Please.” She ran up the steps.

***

The next morning Cordelia awoke, feeling somewhat powerful, she had managed to keep Angelus at bay and get in the last word. She was feeling pretty good. Now if Angel would just show up.

The next night, she left the Inn, her stake still firmly at her side.

“You were expecting me.”

Cordelia had truly hoped that Angelus had grown bored. After all, Angel had always said that the demon had a limited attention span. Cordelia thought about that, Angelus’ obsession with Buffy hadn’t been that limited. Damn. She would have to deal with the demon. Like before, she scanned the area for Angelus’ companions.

“I’m alone.” He smirked at her investigation.

“Hmmph, that’s what you said the last time.” Cordelia continued to look around and above, and then back to her designation. She would never get to her room before Angelus could grab her. She knew Angel’s speed. But she had to try. Cordelia took off running, Angelus’ laughter echoing in her head.

“Tsk, tsk, I was alone last night and really now, you knew that wasn’t going to work again.” Angelus said, blocking the door. “Come, I have another gift.” Angelus swiftly snatched the stake, tossed it on the ground, and pulled Cordelia to the side of the boarding house.

Cordelia fumbled into her skirt.

“You are a little arsenal aren’t you?” Angelus laughed, watching her. “Am I going to have to search you?”

Cordelia glared and stopped the movement of her hands.

“That’s better, I just wanted to give you this.” Angelus pulled a single stem blood red rose out from his cloak. “One thing of beauty to another.” He handed it to her.

Cordelia stared at the flower. Its beauty was hideous. She shook her head.

“Take it, then I’ll leave for tonight. Don’t….well….”

Cordelia grabbed at the rose. “Ouch,” She dropped the flower as its hidden thorns stung her fingers.

“A thing of beauty with bite, just like you.” Angelus smiled as he clutched her fingers. “Bleeding? Let me kiss it and make it better. I hear it works.”

Cordelia pulled with all of her strength, trying to free her hand from Angelus’ steel grasp.

Angelus licked his lips, his countenance changing to that of a demon. “Just a kiss, a taste.”

Cordelia pulled more frantically.

Angelus demon face stretched into a dangerous leer. “A taste.” He plunged Cordelia’s captured fingers into his mouth. Angelus sucked, his tongue manipulated the small cuts, drawing out more blood. His body tensed and a low growl almost a purr vibrated throughout his body.

Cordelia’s torso stilled, as her free hand dove into the pocket of her full skirt. She pressed the stake firmly against Angelus’ mid section, pressing in time with each of the vampire’s growls.

Angelus’ gold eyes faded to brown as the stake broke his skin. He leaned up and stepped away, releasing Cordelia’s fingers from his mouth, but not his hand.

Cordelia and Angelus stared at each other. Angelus broke the still silence first. He rolled his tongue in his mouth, grinning. “You will be mine.” He laughed and dropped Cordelia’s hand suddenly, and just as quickly disappeared into the night.

The next morning, Cordelia asked Gerty for a room at the Inn. The old woman had been disappointed that Cordelia’s request was not a concession to working after hours, but still Gerty gave Cordelia a room.

It wasn’t that the dark haired woman was such a great wench, but Gerty knew that soon, a man, maybe even a gentleman would notice Cordy. Because the woman may be strange with her odd notions about soap and cleanliness, but she was beautiful, unique among the common whores that plied their wares. And Cordy would be noticed, by some one other than the normal riff raff downstairs and when that happened, Gerty wanted to be on the ground floor of that discovery. Gerty knew that the girl’s high and mighty standards would fall then and Gerty wanted to be around to catch the discarded silver that would be sure thrown towards Cordy.

Cordelia had hopped with some insane thought that moving would deter Angelus, but it hadn’t. He came to the Inn, walking in at either the invitation of some woman that lived upstairs or by Gerty. Gerty seemed to take a likening to the vampire. Granted the innkeeper didn’t know he was a vampire, all she saw was a handsome, well-dressed young gentleman- gentleman- haw.

So, Angelus was now a nightly visitor at the Inn, he would come into the taproom, sit and stare at Cordelia, all the while grinning. It was unnerving. There had been moments when she would turn and see him and think Angel and start towards him. Then Angelus would grin and it would hit her, really hit her. One of them was going to have to die. She was going crazy.

Cordelia had tried to fight it. She went up to him in the taproom, put a wooden stake up to his chest and told him in no uncertain terms that if he came in there again, she would stake him. Angelus just laughed and pulled her to his lap. Cordelia shuddered as she remembered the feel of his tongue and teeth tracing her neck. Angelus said he wanted her, that he would have her. She made some smart-ass comment back about that she wasn’t blonde, weak. What she should have done was rammed the stake into his chest for Pa, for all the evil Angelus had done and was still to do. But she couldn’t. And somehow, Angelus knew it. He just laughed. And told her not to worry, he had all the time in the world; soon she would be begging him. God, Cordelia hated him.

She looked down at the blood red roses strewn across the floor and the sketch crumbled beside them. Not even original. But then again, technically, it was before Angelus little tributes to Buffy.

Cordelia stumbled up from the floor, it had been fifteen days, and soon she just might have to accept that Angel wasn’t coming. She couldn’t live here. Cordelia didn’t doubt her ability to adapt if push came to shove. But she did her doubt her ability to live with Angelus around. Her thoughts were interrupted by a scream.

Cordelia blinked and waited. No sound of running footsteps people to the rescue. There never was when a whore yelled. Cordelia shook her head and grabbed a poker; she was again going to have to be the one to pound some sense into an overeager, sick customer. She went across the hall and down the back hall. She paused at the door and took a deep breath. Actually, she was all for bashing some disgusting male’s head in right now.

Cordelia froze as she burst in.

“Thought this might get you out.” Angelus stood holding the whore in his tight grip, ignoring her struggles.

“Angelus let her go.”

“No. Don’t see why I should, not at all.” Angelus bent towards the squirming woman’s neck.

“Angelus.” Cordelia dropped the poker and brought out a stake.

Angelus smiled. “She will be dead, before you even have a chance, unless…”

“What?”

“I’ll I want is a taste, just a taste. I don’t want to end this, but I really do need another taste and well…if you won’t oblige I will take my fill from this piece and who knows maybe I will just have to finish this game and kill you.”

Cordelia stepped back shaking her head. “No.”

“I understand that trust may be a problem. But, believe me I only need a taste and then the games can continue, otherwise….well, she dies and you.”

“You can’t get to me.” Cordelia prayed that a crossbow would magically appear in her hand. She could never get to him in time with a stake.

“I got you here didn’t I, with no magic to protect you. By the way, you never did explain to me how you got that piece of magic. What exactly are you?”

Cordelia closed her eyes, she wished she could tell him she was a great witch that would smite him, or a slayer that would stake him, or even a seer that could foretell his agonizing demise, but all she was a young woman that could see the soulless vampire’s rebirth into the wonder of Angel. And that wasn’t going to help her right now.

“Let her go.” Cordelia stood straight.

“You know my terms?”

“A taste. Yes, let her go.”

Angelus smiled. “And here I thought you were all tough.” Angelus dropped the woman and had Cordelia in his arms in an instant.

Cordelia closed her eyes as she felt the prick and pressure of Angelus’ fangs penetrate her skin. Angel, she prayed, as the blood slowly left her body.

Cordelia felt strange, there was little pain, not anything equal to the visions, just a prick, then and a coolness that flowed from her neck to her toes. She was beginning to feel light headed when Angelus ripped his fangs from her neck. Cordelia slumped to the ground.

Angelus growled and turned to the whore on the floor. He swiftly went to the woman and plunged, draining her quickly without thought, but instinct. He tossed the empty vessel to the floor.

“No, “ Cordelia cried.

Angelus went to Cordelia, kneeling and cradling her agonized face. “Such beauty, strength, steel even, weakened by heart and naivety. You’ve seen the Ripper, the human equivalent of the demon, you know me, you do don’t you, but you still believe that you can do something? Odd, but intoxicating. I can’t decide. Do I break your spirit or do I just take it away. Perplexing, interesting question, but I do know I will taste you again,” Angelus leaned in his tongue lapping up the trickle of blood on Cordelia’s neck. “You taste divine.”

Cordelia blinked and grasped onto his strong arms. “Angel.” She whispered.

Angelus smiled and left, thinking the plea on Cordelia’s lips was meant for him. Soon. He laughed.

Chapter Fourteen

Cordelia began to wonder what was so therapeutic about this particular part of the room, she now called home. But again, as she had for the last several night’s sat curled up in the corner, huddled, frightened, her knowledge battling with her emotions. With more strength, the she knew she had, she let her mind win the battle, Angelus would live and if need be she would die. She didn’t see any other option; unless Angel appeared miraculously to take her home. Where was he? Cordelia huddled closer; it wasn’t fair to Angel to get mad. It’s not like time travel is a common occurrence, or something that should be attempted, not even by her courageous friends. But, god what she wouldn’t give to see them again. Cordelia got up and went to the window. Gee, what a surprise, Angelus was there watching, smiling. At least he wasn’t resorting to killing others. The stupid vampire thought that Cordelia was fighting a desire for him. Hmmph, she wished he was dead, but she couldn’t kill him. Great, he was gone, Cordelia prayed that maybe it was just the bitch Darla calling him home rather than anything else. Fuck, she couldn’t kill any of them. Hell, what was the point….There was no point to her being in this god awful time.

***

Wesley couldn’t help it but he felt like Captain Kirk, all dressed up and ready to jump through the Guardian Forever.

The black hole appeared before them, whirling and pulling. Angel ran head long into the swirling mess. Okay, Wesley thought, he would have to be Spock in this Scenario, the logical one. It was only fitting; Wesley thought as he followed Angel through the hole, Kirk always got the woman.

***

“No need for blankets, that’s good. “ Wesley got up and examined the dark alley. “Any idea where we are?”

Angel examined the air, moving to the entrance. “East End, London, Whitechappel.”

“Whitecappel, as in…”

“Yes,” Angel looked again. “But the patrols are gone and the streetwalkers are out, so it must be after 1897.”

“After?”

“At the height of the Ripper, the London police were out in force and the locals scared, the Ripper pissed off the vampire community that used this pit as an easy feeding ground. Time as passed since then, but it’s not before. Come on.”

“Where?”

“There’s an Inn at the of the East End. A mixture of people, if Cordelia landed here, someone there would know. It was where all of the gossip and tales of Whitechappel ended.”

Angel was a much better guide than Lorne was that was for sure, Wesley acknowledged silently as he followed the vampire out into the street.

Chapter Fifteen

The sights and smells assaulted Wesley. He looked at Angel. If they were disturbing to him, then Angel must be truly affected. And Wesley didn’t have the additional burden of unwanted memories washing over him, combining with the stench in the air.

“I don’t know why, but I never quite imagined this time period to be so depressing.” Wesley glanced along the dark street. The night sky couldn’t hide the filth of the area or the deplorable conditions of the tenements. Unwashed people were scattered about, some in groups, some alone. Occasionally, Wesley would see the odd person or two, studying their progress down the street. “Angel, I don’t like the way that man is staring at us.” Wesley whispered, indicating a man watching them intently from behind his bottle of rum.

“He’s most likely deciding how to rob us, steal our shoes, clothes…whatever, then on how to dispose of the bodies.” Angel said, without even looking.

“Of course. Silly of me. Right,” Wesley looked down at the clothes he was wearing. “They do seem to be a bit on the upper scale than his.”

“Yes. Angelus may have liked to play in this cesspool, but he didn’t like to look like the part. It was part of the game.”

“Game?”

“Sure, what better way to find a victim? Clothes, money- lures to bring them to him. Robbers, whores all thinking that Angelus could be their victim- then…”

“Yes, I see.” Wesley studied Angel. The vampire seemed calm and unaffected by the immersion into his past.

Angel could sense Wesley’s questions and concern about his reaction to being back in the 19th century. Angel wanted to reassure his friend that he was fine. But that would be a lie. The sights, smells, and sounds, all of it brought back the memories. They washed over him both disgusting and tempting him. The fear, the desolation that permeated the East End pulled at his predatory instincts. It had been so easy to satisfy all of his desires in this place. Angelus’ desires, not his. Angel wasn’t that demon, not anymore, Angel didn’t want the blood that was so readily available around him, and he didn’t want the sensation of hunting and killing. Another lie. Angel had to find Cordelia.

“There it is.”

Wesley looked at the Inn. “Busy.”

Angel nodded, went to enter, and was forced back. “Angel?”

“Cordelia’s here.”

“You can sense her? Wonderful, let’s go.” Wesley went into the building.

“Wesley, I can’t. There is a spell barrier.” Angel’s tone was a mixture of relief, frustration, and fear.

Wesley’s brows shot up, comprehending at once. “Maybe she just did it has a precaution, it doesn’t necessarily mean Angelus has been here.”

“Wesley, go find the owner or one of the whores that lives upstairs.”

“Whores live upstairs?”

“Wesley, go.”

“Yes, of course.” Wesley’s progress was stopped as a woman came towards them.

“Angelus, luv thought you had abandoned me. Don’t just stand there, I keep telling you that you are always welcomed. I see you brought another fine gentlemen with you.” Gerty glance appreciatively at the cut of Wesley’s suit. “Come in, though I know it’s not me you come to see.” Gerty broadly winked. “Come to apologize have you. Just what did you say to our Cordy, that last time. She keeps hiding in her room. Shy and stubborn she may be, but don’t worry boy, she’ll come around, I’ve been telling her what a fine gentleman you are.” The woman winked again.

Wesley barely got of Angel’s way as he barreled through the door, heading for the stairs.

Gerty laughed and turned to block Wesley’s attempt to follow. “Aye, sir, you need a cup. Gerty’s, that’s me, has the best ale in the East End. Don’t bother,” she pulled at Wesley’s arm. “Your friend will be busy for awhile. She’s a stubborn piece.”

“No thank you.” Wesley disentangled the woman’s hands.

“Aye, if you think so, but I warn you, Angelus does get a bit testy when he’s interrupted.”

That was an understatement, Wesley thought as he went to the stairs. Damn, Angelus had been here, frequently from the sounds of that woman. But, at least it seemed that Cordelia was okay, or at least Wesley hoped she was.

***

Angel stopped in the middle of the hallway, his game face flickering. With a growl, he bounded to the door at the end of the hall. “Cordy,” he broke the door, but was still barred from running to the beautiful girl.

Cordelia glared from her position on the floor. That was new. The direct approach, Angelus must be getting bored with the game. “Like busting the door will get you in. Stupid vampire.” Cordelia pulled herself up. “You are going to pay for that and I’m not inviting you in. You may think I won’t stake you, but I will dose you with some holy water. So, don’t even think about threatening another woman to get me to come out.” Cordelia thrust a jar in front of her.

“Cordy……”

“Like anxious pleading will work. Don’t even try; begging so does not look good on you. What would Darla say? Leave or you are so sizzling wet.”

“Cordy, it’s me Angel, let me in.”

Cordelia stared; the bottle fell shattering around her feet. “Angel?”

“Yes, Cordy…”

“Cordelia, it is Angel.” Wesley appeared at Angel’s side.

Cordelia’s eyes widened, she glanced quickly from Angel to Wesley. “Wesley?…. Angel,” Cordelia ran towards the vampire. Angel caught her easily, crushing her to his chest.

“Angel,” she repeated into his shirt, trying to bury herself further into his embrace.

“Maybe we should go inside.” Wesley tried to guide the couple into the room. “Cordelia?”

She blinked, her eyes filled with tears. “Come in.” She pulled Angel through the doorway and was instantly back in his arms. Angel tightened his hold, rubbing his face into her hair, reassuring himself that Cordelia was in his arms and that she was safe.

Wesley propped up the broken door and looked around. His gaze fell on the strewn flowers on the floor and crumbled up sketches. “Cordelia are you all right?”

Cordelia pulled out of Angel’s arms and rubbed away her tears. She smiled widely. “I am now. Get me out of here.”

Angel stared, his hands reaching for Cordelia’s neck. Rage filled his body. “Cordelia?” Angel’s fingers lightly touched the puncture wounds that marred her skin.

Cordelia moved away, her hand covering the marks. “I’m okay, he just wanted a taste.”

“And you let him and he left you alive?”

“Gross,” Cordelia shot towards an open- mouthed Wesley. “Don’t be an idiot. It was either that or watch him drain Molly, of course he killed her anyway. Bastard.”

Angel picked up one of the sketches. It was of Cordelia sleeping. It was beautiful; it made his skin crawl and his anger burn. “What else did he do?”

“The usual, I guess, stalk, taunt, kill, gifts.”

Every dead cell in Angel’s body was on the verge of exploding, the rage with in him so powerful. “Where is he?”

“Like he checks in with me? I don’t know? He’s usually downstairs or out there.” Cordelia pointed out her window. “What does it matter, now? We’re going home. .. Angel, where are you going? To the portal, right? RIGHT?”

“To kill him.”

“No, your taking me home.” Cordelia ran to the door, blocking it.

“Move.”

Cordelia shook her head. “You can’t kill Angelus.”

“Cordelia?” Wesley raised his brows at the girl’s desperation.

“And you call yourself a Star Trek expert. Angel can’t kill Angelus, none of us can- it will change history.”

“Good, no more killing, no more evil.”

“No more soul. Angel if Angelus dies now, he won’t be cursed. You won’t exist.”

Angel stared. “Angelus will die now.”

“Listen to me.”

“Angel, Cordelia maybe right.”

“I don’t care, he needs to die for what he has done for what he will do. It will finally be over.”

“Yeah, like really over. Angel do I have to play it’s a wonderful life here. If Angelus isn’t cursed, then you don’t get a soul, you don’t get a chance to shansu…your dust as soon as Angelus is- you won’t have your future.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Okay, how about then in the 20th century- Sunnydale, Buffy dies, I die, the whole Scooby gang dies, LA- Gunn dies, Wesley dies….What about all the helpless that don’t get saved?”

“That won’t happen and the Powers will just get another warrior.”

“Angel, Buffy will be the slayer, regardless of whether you exist or not. But with your soul, you helped her become a better slayer, helped her survive, and got yourself a soul mate in the bargain. Plus, you helped her keep us all alive. Without you- Sunnydale will still be the hellmouth; I will still become a part of the Scooby Gang; Wesley will still become a watcher and then a fired watcher; my father will still cheat on his taxes and I will still end up in LA. Wesley will still become a rogue demon hunter, that’s if we both make it out of Sunnyhell alive. Gunn will still be living on the streets fighting vampires. I will still go to that stupid party, only this time you won’t save me from Russell Winters. Wesley will get himself killed by some demon or another, without you to teach him how to fight.”

She glared at the beginning of Wesley’s protest. “ You know you would’ve. You were a klutz. “ Cordelia turned back to Angel. “ Gunn, also will most likely die without you. And Fred would still be stuck in a cave in Pylea. Angel you have to exist or we all die. Don’t you see that? Angelus must live, so you can be. Why do you think that I haven’t tried to stake him or the rest of the fanged four? And boy, letting Darla live was not easy. But, she gave Angelus the gypsy, which resulted in the curse. Spike has gotten himself chipped and saved Buffy more than once, Drusilla….well, we might be able to dust her. But what’s the point? We just need to go home.”

“Angel, Cordelia has raised what I believe to be some very valid points.”

Angel struggled with his rage and thoughts. He wanted, no needed to kill Angelus. But what if Cordelia was right? Angel would be willing to give up his future for a chance to end Angelus’ evil rampages over the next few decades. He would be making right all of the terror that the demon had caused during that time. But Angel wasn’t willing to risk his friends, especially not Cordelia. If Angel didn’t exist, the Power’s would probably just find another warrior to take his place, but would that warrior have been able to save Cordelia from Winters. Angel didn’t know, but Angel did know that he did save Cordelia. Angel couldn’t take that risk, not even for the souls of all that Angelus killed before the curse. Angel slowly nodded.

“Whew.” Cordelia let out her breath. “Let’s get this rescue show on the road. How do we get back?”

Wesley looked at his watch. Thank goodness for Timex even through a time portal they just kept on ticking. “We have to get to the alley. Gunn and Fred will be dong the spell with in the hour.”

“I knew that you would figure it out.” Cordelia hugged Wesley. “My heroes.” She smiled and went back to Angel. “Thank you.” She lightly caressed his solemn expression, her touch trying to comfort him. Angel's eyes held hers and he smiled. Angel found Cordelia and she was safe. Nothing else mattered. Angel crushed her back to his chest. “I won’t ever lose you.”

Cordelia snuggled closer. She finally felt safe and she was going home. Cordelia glanced at the rough wool. “Where did you get the clothes?”

Chapter Sixteen

Cordelia practically skipped out of the Inn. Even, Gerty’s bawdy wink and lewd assumption that Cordelia had finally given into Angelus didn’t dampen her happiness. Though, the innkeeper’s not so subtle suggestion that she deserved some sort of finders fee from Angel, did make Cordelia little annoyed. But who cared, Angel was there and she was going home.

“What I still don’t get was why Lila, the bitch esquire, sent me back to this hell hole- I mean how could that benefit Wolfram & Hart? Sure, they messed with me before, but that was just to get to Angel. This little scenario was even a bit farfetched even for them.”

“They found out about the Prophecy….” Wesley said, glancing at Angel. The vampire should really be the one to tell Cordelia that she was Angel’s soul mate.

“The prophecy- wow, I had forgotten. Gee, that is probably the only good thing about this whole mess. I imagine that Angel has been to busy to sneak off to Sunnydale or stuff.”

“I didn’t sneak.”

“Hmmph. Well, we will just have to worry about that when we get home.”

“Actually, then’s when we can stop worrying.”

“What?”

“Later, at home. Wes, how much longer?” Angel would tell Cordelia, eventually. He didn’t want to though; he was scared of her reaction. But he would have to tell her or Cordelia would just keep nagging him about Buffy and Sunnydale.

“Not that much longer.” Wesley stared at his watch, willing the hands to speed up. He didn’t much care for waiting around in the dark alley.

“Gee, never thought I would be glad to see this alley again. Eww.”

“We will be home soon.” Angel smiled and grabbed Cordelia’s hand. She clutched gratefully. Suddenly, Angel stilled, and then pushed Cordelia behind him.

“I don’t think I like this, no, I know I don’t like this at all.” Angelus’ eyes shot from Cordelia to Angel. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the other vampire. He looked familiar.

“Whoa, Angelus that vampire looks like you, but with bad hair, really bad hair. It’s growing straight up. How do you do that? Why would you do that?” Spike said.

“Oh dear.” Wesley pulled out his crossbow.

“I don’t look like that,” Angelus glared.

“Sure, what ever you say, but when was the last time you took a look in a mirror. I tell you that vamp stole your ugly mug.”

Both Angel and Angelus growled at the blonde vampire.

Angel moved closer further blocking Angelus and Spike from Cordelia.

Angelus growled. Any discussion or curiosity about the strange vampire’s looks became irrelevant at Angel’s protective move and Cordy’s comfortable compliance to the other vampire’s touch and direction.

“She is mine.”

“Never.”

Cordelia pulled at Angel. “Remember," she whispered. “Wesley, please tell me the portal will be opening any second now.”

“I wish I could, but we still have several minutes.”

“We hope. You didn’t happen to bring another one of those, did you?” Cordelia pointed to Wesley’s crossbow. She nodded gratefully as she grabbed Wesley’s second weapon.

“Cordy, Cordy……” Angelus chided. “Have you been cheating on me, playing with my affections? I find that annoying. If I find that you have been allowing another to sample your taste, I will be truly angry. Spike you can have the one over there, but the girl and the vampire are mine.”

“Angelus not to be a downer on your little obsession, but the chap is holding a crossbow. And while he looks like a wuss, even wuss’s have been known to aim straight. You want the tasty bit. You dodge the flying arrows. I’ll give Dru and Darla your regards.” Spike slipped away into the darkness. “I’ve got me a deadman’s party to go to.”

“I would advise you to leave, also.” Wesley cocked an arrow.

“Not without what is mine. “ Angelus growled.

“You won’t touch her, you will never touch her.” Angel said.

“I already have, she’s been marked. Where are your manners? It’s not polite to take another’s belongings. Didn’t your sire teach you that? It looks like I will just have to teach you.” Angelus growled, game face on.

“Go away, Angelus, leave now.” Cordelia held up her crossbow.

“Darling, you know you can’t kill me.”

“Oh get over yourself, you arrogant bastard," Cordelia said.

“But I can." Angel growled.

“NO!” Cordelia yelled, pulling at Angel’s arm.

“I told you she was mine." Angelus laughed and lunged. Angel met Angelus in mid- air.

“Wesley, do something.”

“Do you have any suggestions?" Wesley looked for a shot, but the vampires were too close to each other and too quick. One bad shot and either one of them could end up dust.

Cordelia shot an evil glare at her friend, and then returned to the bizarre, deadly scene before her. Angel fighting Angelus. The vampires were pummeling each other, the force of their blows throwing them back. Cordelia swore she could hear bones breaking, she did see their borrowed blood sweeping into the alleyway.

Cordelia yelled as Angel went flying into the wall, his body cracking the bricks. “Angelus no,” Cordelia ran in front of Angel’s slumped body, blocking the limping other vampire. “Whatever you want, don’t do this.”

“That’s my Cordy. Come here.” Angelus grinned, the blood dripping down his face; his swollen eyes didn’t detract from the evil triumph in his smile. His arms, one broken, were held out.

“How much longer Wesley?”

“Cordelia, don’t”

“How much longer,” she whispered.

“Three minutes.”

“When I run, take Angel, and get to portal.”

“Cordelia, don’t.”

“You want me, you will have to catch me.” Cordelia started to dash from the alley.

“Wesley.” Angel pushed his back up along the wall.

“Right.” Wesley ran grabbing Cordelia and throwing her to the ground, just as Angel leapt towards Angelus’ opened arms.

Cordelia struggled kicking and hitting, pushing Wesley off her. Cordelia glared. “What the….Wesley?” Her tone lowered as the air vibrated around her.

“The Portal, Angel.” Wesley ran to the fighting vampires. Cordelia was quickly beside him.

“She is mine. You will never touch her again. NEVER.” Angel had Angelus by the head, slamming it repeatedly against the hard ground, his eyes glowing a fierce gold. His tensed bulk leaning over the prone body of his former self. Angel reached for Angelus head, twisting it back.

“Angel?” Cordelia whispered.

“Angel, come on.” Wesley tugged at Angel’s arm. “He won’t, never again, not if we go now. Angel, you can’t kill him. Let’s go.”

“Please.” Cordelia whispered. “I can’t lose you. I love you, Please Angel.” Her word’s barely audible, unknowingly said, never intended to be heard. But Angel heard. With a loud growl, he dropped Angelus and got up. Angel’s body was bruised and bleeding but the rage within in him still gave him the strength to move. Angel lunged, grabbing at Cordelia cradling her in his arms. Angel jumped through the now complete whirling black hole. Wesley quickly followed.

Chapter Seventeen

“Put me down.” Cordelia said. “You could have killed him, he might be dead.”

“Cordelia that is doubtful, since Angel is here and alive.”

“Alive? He looks pretty much on death’s door, for a vamp.” Gunn said, moving towards the trio. “What ran over him?”

“Angelus.”

“Oh.”

“You should see the other guy.”

“Oh. Cool.”

“Not cool. Angel could have killed him.”

“Not cool? What, we can’t even kill Angelus? Is there a vampire out there that we can kill? What’s up? By the way, welcome back. Glad everyone is in one piece.”

“Oh, Cordy, I’m so glad you are back and that Angelus didn’t kill you.” Fred ran up.

Angel growled.

“Angel, stop that.”

Angel growled again.

“Don’t get mad at me, I’m not the one that risked everything.”

Angel growled again louder. He turned to go upstairs and faltered.

“Sit down,” Cordelia ordered going for the first aid kit.

“Don’t touch me.”

“FINE.” Cordelia stomped and flopped on the couch. “See if I care.”

“Angel, let’s get you to your room.” Wesley picked up the first aid kit and led the vampire to the stairs.

“Um, Cordy, why is Angel so mad at you?”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t do anything. I was the victim. Geez.”

“Well, you look okay.”

“Okay, okay? I have spent the last two weeks in a cesspool, fed Jack the Ripper to Angelus, cut up the only descent person in that hell hole, been stalked and threatened by the psychotic dead guy, had to live in a brothel, no bath, no lotion, no shampoo, and NO SOAP. OKAY? I THINK NOT.”

Gunn and Fred jumped back.

“Can you go over that cutting up bit and the Jack the Ripper part again?”

“Angelus stalked you. Boy, it’s a good thing he didn’t kill you.” Fred said.

“Duh. Of course, it’s a good thing.”

“Yeah, I mean sure, but if he had killed you then the prophecy would have happened and that would have been really bad, not that you just being dead wouldn’t have been bad, because that would have been bad too, of course. But, you dead, Angel damned that would have……..”

“What are you babbling about? God, you sound like Willow.”

“Who?”

“Gunn, what is she talking about?’

“The Prophecy, why Wolfram & Hart sent you back. You met Jack the Ripper. So, Angelus ate him, no wonder that’s not in the history books. Didn’t they tell you?”

“Uh, no, Lila wasn’t much on explaining….”

“No, I mean Angel and Wesley.”

“What…”

“Gunn, that’s enough.” Wesley said as he came down the stairs.

“How’s Mr. Growly butt?”

“Cordelia, Angel has every right to be in a unpleasant mood. I myself am not to happy with you right now.”

“I didn’t do anything.” Cordelia whined.

“Cordelia, trying to lead Angelus away from the alley was not at all very smart. In fact it was down right stupid.”

“It could’ve worked.”

“Really, do you think, that Angel or I would’ve just gone and left you to Angelus. Did you think that Angelus would not kill you?”

Fred and Gunn watched in fascination at the various emotions that played over Cordelia’s face. Anger finally winning over the doubt and guilt. “Maybe but Angelus wouldn’t have killed Angel and Angel wouldn’t have killed Angelus. History would have been protected.”

“History?” Gunn said.

“Geez. What? Was I the only one that you made watch Star Trek?” Cordelia snorted to Wesley.

“Cordelia, sacrificing yourself, would definitely not have prevented Angel from trying to kill Angelus. Your death would have…..Cordelia go talk to Angel.”

“I don’t want to. Anyway, Gunn was just going to explain about why Wolfram & Hart sent me back.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure that Angel doesn’t want to talk to you now either, but you need to talk to Angel.”

Cordelia glared. “I said I don’t want to, not when he is being mean.”

“Cordelia.”

Gunn and Fred watched again in fascination as Wesley lectured Cordelia as if she was a two old and Cordelia took it.

“Fine,” she huffed.

“What in the hell happened back in time warp?”

Wesley shook his head. “Cordelia was pursued by Angelus. It seems Angel was right, his former unsouled self took quite an interest in her. That and his meeting Angelus has made Angel upset.”

“Um, did you meet Jack the Ripper, too?”

“Too?” Wesley eyes shot up the stairs. “Cordelia met Jack the Ripper?”

“Yeah, said she fed him to Angelus.”

“Oh, my, no, we didn’t know that. I hope she doesn’t tell him right now, he’s a bit fragile.”

“Fragile? We’re talking about Angel, right?”

“It’s been a trying experience for us all.” Wesley slumped on the couch.

Chapter Eighteen

Cordelia didn’t bother knocking, but barged in. Angel was asleep. Her scowl turned to a smile. It was true that she didn’t want to talk to the vampire, but it was equally as true that she wanted to see him. This was perfect. Cordelia sat on the chair and watched. He saved her again. Angel always saved her. It was amazing how he did that. It really made it hard to stay mad at him. She really was one lucky woman; she had her own personal savior. Buffy maybe his soul mate, but Cordelia had Angel in her life, everyday. Cordelia use to be envious of Buffy, and maybe she was still a little, but if given the choice she would rather have Angel’s friendship and daily presence in her life, then some tragic long distance wanting. Cordelia was if nothing but practical and, well, she wasn’t given the choice. But if she had been…Cordelia sighed, she had to admit it would be nice to have Angel’s passionate real love, and not just his friendship, but again, not a possibility and she was practical. What she had was enough, more than enough. Stupid vampire. Her hands lightly touched the bruises and the bandages Wesley had fixed up along Angel’s body. He could have been killed. He could have destroyed his future all in trying to destroy his past. Didn’t Angel realize yet, that the past was just that the past and the present, the future, his future was all that mattered? Cordelia would have willing laid down with Angelus and had him bleed her, if it could have kept that future safe.

God, she loved Angel. This was her favorite time, well not that Angel was hurt, she hated that, but when he was in his healing sleep. That seemed to be the only time that she could just stare with out him waking up. Now she was being stupid, but she couldn’t help it. Cordelia hand caressed Angel’s face.

Angel could feel his body slowly mend. Now if he could just get his emotions and mind to rest. He had had the chance to prevent Angelus from terrorizing souls. The number of people he could have saved would have easily outnumbered the ones he had saved so far with a soul. Yet, those few important ones that he saved with a soul were the ones he cared about, the ones that mattered to him. He was selfish, but…maybe if he had never seen or met Buffy, Wesley, Gunn, or Fred… he could have done it, risked their lives to save those nameless victims of Angelus. But he did meet them and he did love them each in their own way. Who was he kidding there was only one reason, one person that prevented him from snapping Angelus’ neck. Cordelia. He could sense her in his room, could feel her soothing touch. The light warmth it brought to his skin, inflamed both desire and anger with in his still body. She let Angelus touch her, she would have sacrificed herself to Angelus, the reasons were irrelevant to his anger, just as the fact that it was Angelus his former self that she allowed something that Angel would always have to deny himself, her blood. Angel hated himself right then, but he couldn’t deny it; he was enraged and jealous that Angelus had something that he could never have. Something that rightfully belonged to Angel.

“Go.” He growled, pushing her hand away. It was too dangerous for her to stay, his emotions too volatile. He needed distance, time to calm down, time to remember that he loved her and that she loved him, he heard it and this time he had no doubt, there was no misunderstanding, but it also wasn’t enough, right now. Angelus was gone trapped in the past where he belonged, Angel’s future was ahead, but right then in the present if Cordelia didn’t leave Angel, he would ruin that future, because his demon, souled or not, wanted to possess Cordelia, too erase Angelus' mark and replace it with it’s own. And just like Angel would never let Angelus touch Cordelia, he would never let his demon touch her. But Angelus did touch her, his demon cried. “Go.” Angel said again, pushing Cordelia further away.

“I told Wesley, I didn’t want to talk to you when you were being all growly. Hmmph, at least Angelus could hold a conversation of sorts.”

Angel shot up in the bed. “Don’t push me Cordelia.”

“Push you, you’re the one pushing me. I’ll wanted to do was go home and get a bath, a bath, something I haven’t had in forever. But no, Wesley said I should talk to you.” Cordelia scrunched her face. “Not that I would do what Wesley says, mind you, but I thought I should see if you were okay. Well, you look okay. Hmmph. So, I’ll leave you to your pouty growliness. Though, why you’re mad I have no clue, I’m the one…Put me down.” Cordelia clutched at Angel’s arms as they picked her up. “Angel!” Cordelia yelled.

“A bath, you want a bath.” Angel took the struggling young woman into the bathroom and tossed her into the tub, he quickly turned on the shower and the faucet.

Cordelia screeched and sputtered at the cold water, her hands pushing at her hair. “What the hell? This dress is like a thousands pounds soaking wet. Eww.” Cordelia squirmed to get her footing. Angel pushed her gently back down. “Bath time.” He squirted liquid soap all over the young woman.

“Stop,” she whined.

Angel stood back and smiled. He had thought only blood and lust would curb his anger, but actually, a good dose of cold water, a little humiliation for Cordelia did wonders. It was a strange sort of love that he had for his soul mate. One minute wanting to pound into her and rip her neck wide, the other just wanting to watch the myriad of expressions flowing over her beautiful face. She really was life in all of its beauty.

“Help me with this, you, you, YOU. I can’t get it undone.” Cordelia pulled at the strings that bound the bodice of the old fashioned dress.

“Let me.” Angel grabbed the ties and broke them.

Cordelia struggled with the dress pulling it off her throwing it to the side. “What are you staring at? Bring back memories?” She jerked to the chemise she was wearing under the dress. “Stupid thing.”

“I can honestly say this is not something I’ve seen before.”

“Right. Aren’t you wounded or something? Go to bed and leave me alone.”

Well, Cordelia did have one half of a good idea. Angel smiled at the infuriated girl. And it was true, this was not a memory he every had. The chemise was a familiar garment but never had he seen one cover such beauty. The beauty was in his memory or rather Angelus’. The face wasn’t not completely, just the imagine of dark hair, beauty, fire and spirit. She was the one that got a way. The one that frustrated and tormented Angelus. The one that he had planned to turn and take Darla’s place at his side. The fight in the alley was a blur as if Angelus had blocked out Angel, Wesley, and the Portal. All Angelus remembered was that his dark haired beauty left with another vampire, thwarting his plans and causing him a lot of physical pain. It was sort of like Pavlov’s dog, Angel guessed. Angel was sincerely grateful for his prior obsessive love for Buffy, without it Angelus may have noticed Cordelia more, may have remembered and realized. That would have truly changed history.

“You know, it’s all your fault.”

“What? I didn’t do anything and what are you doing?” Cordelia stepped back in the tub as Angel stepped in.

“My aversion to brunettes. It’s all your fault.”

“I knew it. You do hate brunettes, blondes, blondes, and blondes. Be original why don’t you, have you ever thought about a redhead. And what about Dru?”

“Nope, it was you.” Angel pulled at the chemise ripping it from Cordelia’s soaked form, the water from the shower wetting them both.

Cordelia eyes widened as her hands flew to her body. “Oh my god, we brought the wrong one back.”

Angel chuckled and brought her to his chest.

“Angel what are you doing? Don’t Angel. Angel…” Cordelia’s words were stopped as Angel’s mouth descended onto hers.

Cordelia wasn’t sure what was happening; well she did know that she was naked in a shower with Angel and that he was kissing her. She just didn’t know why or how. And at that very moment, she didn’t care. She would have to care soon, but right now, she just wanted to enjoy it. So she did. Cordelia leaned into Angel, her arms reaching up to his shoulders, his bare skin slick against her fingers. Okay, now time to care she thought, as her insides melted.

“Um, Angel, um, Angel.” She mumbled against his lips. “Angel,” she snapped pushing him back.

Angel cocked a brow and gave a wicked grin. Her eyes widened, she tried to move further away. He let her out of his arms. “Don’t know who you are with?”

“Shut up. I know perfectly well which dead guy I’m with. What I want to know is what you are doing?”

“I thought it was obvious."

“Oh, and here I thought the soul changed everything, but you are still one arrogant bastard. Hmmph. Just because you hate brunettes, and therefore your soul is safe, doesn’t mean I will have sex with you. Hmmph. And you don’t hate me.”

“Have I ever told you that you are beautiful even when you pout.” Angel leaned in rubbing his thumb across Cordelia’s bottom lip.

“Stop that.”

“No."

“I said stop that. Angel…don’t, please.”

Angel stared. Cordelia was frightened, truly frightened. Angel turned the water off and got out of the tub, he held out his hand. “Come on.”

Cordelia shook her head, her wet hair covering her face.

“Come on, it will be all right.” Angel held out a towel for the wet naked girl.

Cordelia hesitated then grabbed the towel and quickly wrapped it around herself. She tentatively held out her hand and let Angel lead her into the bedroom.

Cordelia was scared. More scared then she had been in her entire life, which was saying a lot. But something was happening, Angel was starting something, going to say and do something that would change everything. And she honestly didn’t know if she could handle it.

“Sit.” Angel pulled her to the bed.

Cordelia looked around and bit her lip. She really wanted to just go home, go to sleep in her own bed, maybe have Dennis fix her some tea. Tea, she hated tea. Oh, she just wanted out of there, but she couldn’t move in any direction other than where Angel led her.

Angel stared at Cordelia, his eyes fixing on every curve and feature of her face. He didn’t know where to start, so he just said it. “I love you.”

“UH?” That was not at all what Cordelia expected.

“I love you.” Angel smiled. It wasn’t that hard to say after the first time. In fact, it was pretty easy and fun. “I love you.” He smiled.

Cordelia paled and her eyes got wide. It was worse than she imagined. “Uh, no you don’t”

“Yes, I do.”

Cordelia took a deep breath, which she hadn’t realized that she had been holding. “Right, the best friend thing, I love you too.” She smiled. “Can I borrow some clothes?”

Angel pulled her back on the bed. “Yes, you are my best friend and yes, because of that I love you. But I love you, beyond that, more than that.”

“Angel,” Cordelia calmed. “That’s very sweet. But, I think maybe the portal did something to you. You don’t love me. You love Buffy. Remember the Prophecy. It’s okay. Weird stuff happens.”

“Cordelia, you are the only one that thinks that the Prophecy meant Buffy.”

“No, that’s not true, everyone agreed with me, even you.”

“No, no one wanted to argue with you or break your little bubble of denial, even me.”

“I do not deny. I am very aware of what’s going on. And you don’t love me.”

“I’m sorry, I do.”

“Angel, why are you doing this to me. Stop saying it.”

“Maybe, I will, when you tell me what you said in the alley. And then tell me you don’t mean it. And you will have to think of something better than I’m a dumbass.”

Cordelia’s mind scrambled back. She said a lot of things in the alley; she thought a lot of things in that stupid smelly alley. But she didn’t say….”I didn’t say it.” She shook her head.

“Yes, you did.”

“I…Oh damn.” Cordelia hid her face in her hands.

“So, did you mean it?”

“If I say no, will you leave me alone?”

“If I believe you, maybe.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

“The truth. I love you. And I now that I have said it, I like saying it. I like feeling it. I like knowing that you love me………”

“I haven’t said that.”

“It makes the whole being soul mates easier.” Angel said ignoring Cordelia’s interruption.

“Soul mates?” Cordelia blinked.

“Yeah, it seemed even Wolfram & Hart realized it before you did. Actually, I think I should be hurt.”

“What’s with you? I want the growly Angel back.”

“Cordy, I’m sorry, I wish that I could make my demon disappear for you.”

Cordelia scrunched up and hid her face in her hands at the sound of pain in Angel’s voice.

“And even though, I have my permanent soul, I’m still a vampire, but I promise that I won’t let my demon touch you.”

Cordelia peeked from behind her fingers. “You have your permanent soul, since when?’”

Shit. “Darla.”

“Oh, gross.” Cordelia dropped her hands and grimaced. “That’s just fucked up. You lose your soul because you slept with the do gooder blonde and you get it solid by sleeping with the blonde dead bitch. That’s just whacked. Those Powers are just whacked. I want to go home.”

“Cordelia, you aren’t leaving me.”

Cordelia stared. Angel was getting all grry again. “This soul mate thing, is it written down somewhere? Like was it proclaimed from a high or something.”

“Cordelia you are my soul mate.”

“Hmmph. Fine. But there are going to be some rules in place.”

“What?”

“Rules, as dos and don’ts. Don’ts- no blondes, ever. No anyone for that matter, got it? Or I’m out of the soul partnership thing. Powers or no.”

“Done. The dos?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll think of something.” Cordelia glared.

“Um, Cordy, does this mean you love me?”

“Yes." Cordelia pouted and rolled her eyes. “ It’s so not fair. I find out that I have a soul mate the same time I find out that my so-called mate got his soul by having sex with an old skanky girlfriend. Where’s the romance in that, hmm? Where’s the wine and gifts?”

“Do you want wine and gifts?”

“Of course, but right now I want you to kiss me, again.”

“Really?”

Cordelia rolled her eyes. “Duh?”

Angel laughed and pounced on Cordelia, his body covering hers.

“I said kiss, not smother.”

“Shut up.”

“Okay.” Cordelia smiled as Angel’s lips descended.

Chapter Nineteen

Cordelia lay atop Angel, her body draped around his. “Are you sure you’re okay. You took quite a beating.”

Angel laughed.

“I meant…”

“I know what you meant….” Angel pulled her face down for a kiss. “But one beating was definitely more enjoyable than the other. And I am fine, very fine.”

Cordelia snorted. “Cocky, aren’t you.”

“I don’t know, am I?”

“Stop. That was just bad.” Cordelia giggled and tried to roll off Angel. He pulled her back over top of him. “You’re warm. I do love you.”

“I believe you.” Cordelia smiled, happier than she had ever been. “I love you. There I said it. Aren’t you proud? Angel?”

Angel had gone quiet the playfulness gone as he stroked the slight wounds of Angelus. They were still there, in a day or two they would be gone but the memory would still remain, not only his of finding out, but of Angelus as he tasted Cordelia. Angel closed his eyes, trying to block out the images, the feelings, and the need.

“You hate it, don’t you?”

Angel looked into the caring eyes of his seer’s. “I never wanted Angelus to touch you.”

“But he did,” Cordelia scooted away and studied Angel. “What is it you really want Angel? For it not to have happened or for it to happen again?”

Angel moved away from Cordelia. “What?”

“Angel, history was changed, not by much, but it was changed. You said you remembered me at least, so that means you remembered tasting me.”

“I remember how it was done, I remember Angelus terrorizing you, promising you Molly’s life only to………”

“kill her. I remember too. Your memory is a century old, mine a week.”

“You must hate me.”

Cordelia laughed softly. “My feelings for you have already been discussed and hate was not a part. I hated Angelus, for what he did to you.”

“Cordelia…”

“Okay, I disliked him immensely for what he did to me. But, it wasn’t real, not really, because I knew that you would save me, and if you didn’t I knew that you would still be you, in time. That’s all that’s ever mattered to me. But when he bit me, it was real, it did something…it….I want you to take it away. I don’t want that memory.”

Angel died in that moment. He hadn’t saved her. He hadn’t protected her. He had hoped that their love would have been enough. “I can’t take it away.”

“Yes you can.”

“Cor……….”

“Angel, you want it gone too.”

“I can’t take it away, it happened. I…it happened.” Angel’s voice choked.

“Don’t get sad. Get mad. I saw you in that alley. I saw both of you. And for a moment, you were one in the same, two vampires fighting to destroy the other, both claiming me as theirs. I’m not flattered or proud, but it did happen. You, Angel the vampire with a soul, claimed me with as much violence and ownership as Angelus. I will not be owned, but I will give myself freely to you, Angel and to everything you are. Make the touch of Angelus go away, make these go away.”

“No. You don’t know what you are asking.”

“Angel, I know exactly what I’m asking, but I will not spend the rest of our lives with Angelus between us. You try to hide it, but you can’t not from me. I know it. You blame me for allowing it to happen, you were willing to kill Angelus because of it.”

“I never would blame you."

“Angel.” Cordelia took a deep breath. “You don’t want to, you feel guilty for doing so, and you hate that you do, but you do. So fix it.”

“No."

Cordelia got up from the bed. "A century for you,a week for me, so let me remind you. I went to Angelus, I was scared, but I went, my blood was pounding. I could feel my heart beating out of my chest. He held me, those arms held me.” She pointed to Angel, “that face leaned in a licked and kissed at my throat. I almost didn’t feel it, it stung for a moment, then there was a coolness, by mind drifted and do you know whose name I said. Do you want to know? Don’t you remember?”

“Cordelia don’t.” Angel struggled. The memory overpowering him, the taste coming back Cordelia’s scent intensifying it.

“I said Angel. The bastard probably thought I meant him. But it was you I called for, you I wanted, but it was Angelus that marked me, that’s what he said. He said I was his. Is that what these mean, that I’m Angelus’. Am I his?”

“Never,” Angel growled. Angel had Cordelia on the bed in an instant, his hands laying claim all over her body, his mouth, kissing and licking at her throat. Cordelia relaxed and let her body respond. This was not Angelus; this was her Angel whose every touch gave her safety, love, and pleasure. Angel’s demon went wild, thrashing within, but Angel cried for patience. He would not violate the trust that Cordelia had given him, he would love her, and he would feed. But first, he would worship her for allowing this. Angel would take away Angelus’ stench with every kiss, with every touch and his demon would feel satisfaction, all because his soul had already found it with in Cordelia.

Cordelia moved to draw Angel up her body. Angel gently brought her hands off his shoulder, alternating kissing the tips of each of her fingers. Once all ten digits were kissed, he moved her hands away, settling firmly on her body, his mouth trailing down her chest as his hands traced the skin below her breasts. Cordelia sunk deeper into the mattress, her eye closing at the sensations being played on her body. A slow tingling began to build up and throughout her body, starting in her blood and pressing up to her skin. Small tears formed in the corner of her eyes, Angel with his hands, his mouth, and his face was discovering every inch of her flesh. Cordelia forced herself to breathe as Angel nuzzled his face into her belly, his hands fondling her hips.

Cordelia's breath exploded. She had forgotten to breathe again. It just wasn’t natural, the way her body was responding. Her mind had lost all control over her reactions; her body was only listening to Angel and his manipulations. She called for him, but no sound came out, her breath once again stuck in her throat.

“So beautiful.” Angel kissed up her throat. Not kisses exactly but actions of his mouth, that incorporated everything, his tongue, his teeth, his lips. Cordelia rested her hands on Angel’s back, lazily, tracing along the broad muscles. She could feel his tension, his strength. Cordelia opened her eyes into Angel’s as he entered her. Cordelia smiled sweetly, her teeth biting at her lip as her body instinctively enfolded itself around Angel’s, bring their contact closer. She clutched at his shoulders, her head nuzzling in the crook in his neck as the strokes became longer and harder.

Cordelia’s mouth latched on to the straining muscles of Angel’s shoulder, her kisses became frantic as she tried to taste him. Angel bent his head into her neck. Cordelia never felt the penetration; she was so lost in the sensation of her nerves trying to escape her skin. Slowly a coolness swept throughout her body, stalling the explosion of her nerves, steadying the pressure’s rise, prolonging her pleasure. Smoothly, the pressure and pleasure began to rise, reaching an unbearable point, until it all exploded. Her nerves pulsated in a tingling crescendo, her body contracted, and her mind was nothing but colors as she floated above her body. Cordelia’s mind and body didn’t become one again until she felt Angel shuddering against her, his lips kissing her up her neck until reaching her bruised lips. “Mine.” His words vibrated against her mouth. Cordelia clutched harder as Angel’s kiss became everything; love, possessiveness, gentleness, hard and soft.

At the release of the kiss, Cordelia’s head fell back her shoulders and neck stretching into the bed.

“Cordy, are you all right?” Angel was nervous, scared even. He knew that the experience had been one of love, joy, satisfaction, and completion for him and his demon. But Cordelia’s reaction, he was unsure of. She seemed all right.

Cordelia giggled, her eyes closed. Her fingers blindly found Angel’s face, cupping and stroking the planes. She smiled and opened her eyes. “I am wonderfully loved, safe and,” she yawned, stretching again, "exhausted.”

Angel kissed her gently and shifted onto his back keeping Cordelia close. Cordelia snuggled along his body, curling her head down onto his stomach. “I love you, Angel.” She yawned, her eyes closing, the smile still on her face.

“I love you, Cordy." Angel smiled gratefully and closed his eyes, his hands still holding her close.

The End