"Angel, it's for you," Fred said handing him the phone. "It's Lorne."
"Yeah, Lorne what's up?...Uh Huh...What?...Yes we'll be there as soon as the sun sets....Where should I meet you?....We're staying at Buffy's, all of us!...Where is she?....You're kidding, don't tell her and hopefully she'll never know....Okay bye."
"Cordy, Gunn, Fred, you need to pack. We're going to Sunnydale. Don't know how long, so take whatever you need," Angel yelled as he started walking up the stairs.
"Angel, I refuse to go back there." Cordy stomped her foot in anger.
"Fine, then you can stay here. Just unplug the phones and keep the front doors locked."
He moved up the stairs to his bedroom; well, theirs since she had moved her things in and taken over his sanctuary. Cordelia stomped up the stairs, cussing under her breath.
"Oh no you don't mister, you're my mate. If I don't go, you don't go."
Fred and Gunn went to their still separate rooms to pack. They were slowly dating again and had even made love a few times. They weren't together yet, but felt they would be soon. The love was still very much alive as was the passion. They heard shouting so they each closed their doors. It had become commonplace around the hotel since Cordelia and Angel had started living together.
"Damn it, we're mates! You can't do something I don't want without discussing it with me." Cordelia's hands went to her hips. She glared at Angel furious that he assumed she'd tolerate his behavior.
"Cordy, you need to get your facts straight. I marked you, but we aren't mated. There are words that weren't said by me to you. I'm going to Sunnydale, you don't want to fine. I understand, but don't presume to tell me what I can and can't do. My son's there and the First Evil is back. It almost killed me the last time, and I won't let it near Connor. Now, are you packing or not?"
"Is this about Connor or Buffy? Do you want to go so you can be with her? All those memories of your great love is that why you don't want me to go. You can screw her now right? So, this is your perfect chance, in the place where it all started. Did you forget, Angel? She's fucking your son. Buffy doesn't need you to warm her bed, Connor does that every night. He touches her, not you. Isn't that what this is about?"
"Cordelia, I'm warning you, shut up," he snarled.
"Or what? The big bad vampire's going to bite me, oops, he already has. So, what are you going to do Angel? Show me, what you'll do to me."
Cordelia ripped her clothes off, daring him to take up her challenge. Angel had become more aggressive in their lovemaking and she loved it. But, she wanted him to lose all control, to bite her again. He kept refusing and she wanted him coming back for more. He threw her on the bed with her words ringing in his ears. He closed his eyes trying to shut out the images of Buffy and Connor, but it only got worse. Angel pulled his clothes off quickly as he advanced on her. He pushed Cordelia onto the bed then pounced on her.
"Is this what you've have been asking for Cor?" he growled. "Or is this what you were begging for?"
"Yes, Yes Angel, more, harder. Give it to me, baby, make me scream."
Angel vamped out and bit into her breast, guzzling on her mixed blood as he used her roughly. He drank deeply, until Cordelia screamed his name. Angel roared soon after her then quickly pulled away as he got up from the bed.
"Either get dressed and pack, or you're going like that," he said over his shoulder, grabbing his clothes from the floor.
Cordelia smiled, he was making her go with him, rather than asking her. Finally, he was the strong demanding lover she craved.
"Fine, but if Buffy starts anything, I'm going to kick her ass."
Cordelia pranced into the bathroom.
"Sure, Cordy, you just keep telling yourself that," he mumbled.
They just made it into Sunnydale and were only a few miles away from Buffy's house.
"Oh Angel, turn here please" Cordy asked.
"Why, Cor, we need to get there?" he asked, already exasperated with the woman. She had complained the whole trip and he was tired of listening to her incessant talking.
"It will only take a minute. I want to drive past my old house. Wait until you see it, Fred. I loved living there. It's gorgeous. Whoever bought it, better have kept it up."
Angel knew he might as well get this over with so he turned the GTO.
"Pull over right there, Angel. Look, Fred, isn't it pretty. Oh, someone is coming out. You think they'd let me take a peek inside?"
She had exited the car, before Angel had come to a complete stop.
"Cordelia, no! We have to stop her."
Angel was frantically pulling on the door handle trying to catch Cordy.
"What's up, Angel?" Gunn asked from the backseat.
"Buffy rented this house," Angel called over his shoulder as he rushed after the bleached blonde seer.
"There's about to be some fightin' tonight."
They rushed out of the car to try to stop their friend.
"What are you doing in my house?"
Hearing Cordy's high-pitched scream. They took off running.
"Hello, Cordelia. It's not your house for the next couple of weeks; it's mine. Would you like to come in?" Buffy asked politely.
As Angel, Fred and Gunn jad just arrived, she looked at them. "All of you?"
"No, I want you out of my house. You have no right, get out, right now. I don't care how many pictures you have in the magazines. You'll always be a freak, so living in my house isn't going to make us equals."
Cordelia looked down on the smaller woman, trying to intimidate her like she used to do when she ruled Sunnydale High.
"You're right Cordelia, we'll never be equals." Buffy nodded her head looking her straight in the eye.
"That's right and don't you forget it." Cordy's chin shot up as her breast seemed to push out even further, making her resemble the bow of a ship.
"I would have to work a long time to be as self-centered a bitch as you." Buffy stepped back shutting the door in her face.
"You open this door right now, Buffy Summers. How dare you call me a bitch? I'll have you know I was a higher being; I have visions for the Powers. You come out here right now."
She pounded on the door. Connor opened the door and caught her hand pushing her away. Cordelia smiled brightly, "Oh Connor how are you? Buffy's being rude to me, and even slammed the door in my face."
She put a small hitch in her voice as she talked to Angel's son. Her eyes devoured him, still put out that she couldn't somehow have both men.
"Save it and the name's Stephen. Don't come to our home, unless you're invited. Fred and Gunn, it's good to see you. Now, that you two know where we live, you two are welcome here is that clear enough. If I ever hear you speak to Liz like that again, Cordelia." Connor's voice went cold and she stepped back.
"Connor!" Angel warned. He put a hand on Cordy's shoulder pulling her further away from his enraged son.
"Take your woman, Angel, and leave our home. Liz was gracious to her. It seems you need to teach her some manners." Connor closed the door.
Gunn pulled Fred back to the car and they both got in. They looked at each other then cracked up laughing.
"Did you see their faces when he said that? Seems he's all grown up now. Angel needs to respect it and move on."
They heard Cordelia's loud voice as Angel practically dragged her to the car.
"Angel, do you believe what he, what they said to me? Why didn't you say anything? How could you let them treat me that way?"
Shoving her towards the black convertible his voice a whisper he replied. "Get in the car Cordelia before I start teaching you some manners here and now!"
She scuttled to the car. I will get even with you Buffy Summers just you wait and see. Cordy slammed the car door not saying a word the rest of the ride. They pulled up to Buffy's old house. Angel got out popping the trunk. "What are you doing Angel? I thought we were just meeting everyone here."
"No, Cordy, we're staying here. After we unload, we're going to the Magic Box." Angel continued unloading the luggage and weapons from the back of the car.
"Am I in the Twilight zone or something? I'm staying in her Podunk house and she's living in my mansion? Why couldn't you have rented us a mansion, too?"
"Get your stuff Cordelia," Angel told her in a quiet voice, his patience at the end. She got out slamming the door. "Don't do that again." She glared at him opening the door to slam it again then marched into the house. Angel grabbed up all of their belongings he could carry to move quickly after her. "Whatever else that's ours would you just leave it in the den?" He called to Gunn over his shoulder.
Fred paled at his tone. "Charles, he wouldn't hurt Cordy would he? I mean they will just yell at each other right?"
"I don't see Cordy taking slaps from anyone, do you?" Fred shook her head. "Me neither, so we will just let them work it out. My opinion the girl needs her butt blistered."
"Which room did you send Cordy to?" Angel asked Willow
"The guest bedroom at the end of the stairs." Willow looked at Angel feeling the waves of anger coming off him.
"Thanks Willow, it's good to see you. We need to talk over some things so why don't the rest of you go ahead and we will catch up."
"Sure Angel, and Angel, I'm glad to see you too."
Angel stormed up the stairs as memories assaulted him. His anger was almost choking him now. He pushed open the door, dropping the bags then turned to shut the door locking it.
Cordelia raised an eyebrow from her pose on the bed.
"Come here," he demanded.
"Remember Angel, I'm not your mate. You don't own me either."
She continued to file her nails turning away from him.
Angel marched over grabbing her up off the bed. He ripped the shirt off her back in one smooth motion.
"That's a brand new shirt, damn it," she yelled, glaring at him.
"Shut up," his voice deadly quiet.
Cordelia looked into his eyes as they turned amber and his face morphed. Her breath hitched as her burned with anticipation.
At least this day isn't a total waste.
He grabbed her breast roughly biting hard as she squirmed.
"Oh yes, Angel."
He bit her even harder.
"Owe."
He continued to guzzle as he mutilated her breast with his fangs. Cordelia was fully aroused now.
"Angel, please, I need more."
He ignored her as he continued to drink.
"Please Angel Please," she chanted.
Finally satisfied he pulled away.
"Get another shirt. I'll be in the car. You have five minutes then I leave without you."
Angel walked out of the room, leaving a gaping Cordelia staring after him.
"What you can't leave me like this."
She ran to the door in time to see him turn the corner heading for the stairs. She realized he wasn't going to finish what he had started. He was using it to punish her.
"Damn you, Angel."
She grabbed a bag pulling out an 'almost shirt' zipping it up. Her bountiful breasts looked ready to spill out or burst the zipper at any moment.
"There's no way I'm going to let you walk into any room where she'll be without me."
Everyone was waiting for them when they finally walked in the door.
"Angelcakes, Cordy, how have you kiddies been?" Lorne smiled as he greeted his friends.
Cordy went to hug him. "Hi Lorne, how are you surviving Sunnyhell. It's awful, isn't it?"
"I'm having a great time myself."
He looked at her closely. There was something strange about her even more so than before he left LA. Lorne just couldn't put his finger on it. She frowned turning back to the room with a bright smile for everyone looking on. Cordy hugged Angel's arm close to her body.
"Damn Queenie, how large are those things?" Faith asked.
"I don't know what you mean; my breasts are perfect, and they're not fake."
"Yes, they are. See how they're that weird round shape, plus they look hard instead of soft. Do they even feel like real breasts, Angel? I thought about making my breasts larger but then I was worried that they wouldn't be as sensitive. Plus, you can never breast-feed a baby not to mention how stupid they look. I mean everyone would have known that I did it. Just look at Cordelia's, there isn't anyone here that believes they are real." Anya rambled on mindless of the rising anger she was causing in the seer.
"Would you shut up, my breasts are for Angel and he likes them just fine. Believe me as much time as he spends on them he's not missing anything," Cordelia said spitefully looking at Buffy. "I mean it's a shame when a woman doesn't look like a real woman for her man."
"That's enough, Cordy," Angel warned.
He glanced over at Buffy, who was talking to Connor. She hadn't even noticed them coming into the shop.
Seeing him looking at Buffy, Cordelia loudly announced. "Honey, there is only one chair we will have to share." She pulled him over to the chair sitting him down. She then proceeded to make a real show of placing herself on his lap. Cordelia looked more like a lap dancer trying to get a bigger tip. One of her breast spilled out of her top into Angel's face.
Spike who was sitting on the stairs with Faith screamed, "My eyes, my eyes, put it back, put it back."
Everyone cracked up laughing at the smirking blonde vampire. Kennedy watched Cordelia's face turn red with anger as Angel angily pulled her onto his lap. He vehemently whispered for her to wear proper clothing in the future.
Giles had unobtrusively pulled his glasses off to clean them, during the entire performance. He cleared his throat to gain their attention.
"Now that everyone is here, thank you for coming. Let me introduce our late comers. This is Angel and Cordelia. I believe the only ones you two don't know are Tara and Kennedy. Do either of you need to grab something to eat before we get any further?" Giles said politely. He was trying his best to be civil to the two people in front of him, but it wasn't easy.
"Nothing ever changes here. Giles would you just spit it out" Cordy ordered.
"Cordelia, if you want to keep that dyed mop attached to your head you better learn how to treat people fast. This isn't high school and you aren't Queen C here. So, either be polite or be quiet. I don't care which," Buffy warned.
"Wh...," she started. Angel pulled her to him whispering in her ear. "Fine, I'm sorry, please continue." She crossed her arms not listening to the tweed brigade. She fumed Angel threatened not to touch her the entire time they were here.
"There is a prophecy that concerns all three slayers and the First Evil." Giles explained as he cleaned his glasses nervously trying to give as much information as was needed without revealing any of Buffy's secrets.
"Spill G, is that why there are three of us so we can kick FE's ass?"
"No Faith, it appears the reason there are three of you is because a doorway was opened to allow the First onto this plane. An imbalance occurred."
"Just tell them all of it, Mr. Giles." Tara's quiet voice was calm but stern.
"When Buffy was brought back by force it tipped the balance of good; meeting the criteria needed to open the door for the First to come through. That's why there are three slayers. Buffy is the only one who has to fight the First. It says one will stay true, one will deceive and one will lead."
"This is our fault, my fault" Willow wailed.
Kennedy hugged her glaring at Tara. "Shh, Willow, you were trying to help your friend."
"Buffy must be the leader but which is which of the other two?" Wesley asked.
"Why is she the leader? I'm a slayer just like her, who is to say it doesn't mean me?"
"You're a bloody nit. Who would follow you?" Spike snorted.
"Don't talk to her like that." Willow defended her lover.
"My, my Red, aren't we a little hellcat today?" He lifted an eyebrow with his trademark smirk firmly in place.
"That's enough from all of you," Giles snapped. "Kennedy, it's clear from the text that Buffy is the leader. So leave it at that." The youngest slayer glared at the Watcher. "Now as I WAS trying to explain the rest is of course written cryptically. There is a key needed but it's unclear who needs it. It says it's an answer and a puzzle. My best understanding is the puzzle is how to use it. The answer will sway the results of the battle. As for who is who in the other two roles called out." He looked at the group sternly. "I believe the coming days will show which slayer belongs in each role. So we need to patrol, be on guard against the First and look for a key. The best estimate would be wherever the heaviest population of demons are gathering. I imagine the key would draw them or the First will. Angel do you want to add anything?"
"Only that it can't take on a solid form so anything you see that looks suspicious is probably the First. It looked like Jenny and tried to convince me to kill Buffy previously. It kept showing me my past as Angelus and my victims till I tried to kill myself." He looked over towards Buffy.
The day it snowed was one of his fondest memories; it was a magical time for them. They had walked through the town hand-in-hand. Angel smiled at her knowing she was remembering as well. She looked at him with a half smile of acknowledgment then her head turned to Connor. Connor whispered something in her ear and she smiled brightly at him. Her whole face lit up for his son not him. Angel stood up quickly setting Cordy on her feet and away from him. "Whoever is going with me let's go." Gunn, Fred and Cordy moved to follow him.
"Angel," Buffy called after him. "We talked earlier and everyone agreed there should be a slayer on every team. Since Faith and Spike are a team that leaves Kennedy to go with you. Do you have any problems with that?"
He shook his head too angry to speak. She wouldn't even patrol with him. What was he damaged goods or something. "Come on then." Willow and Kennedy followed quickly after the others.
"Giles that leaves you with me or Faith but Wesley would have to trade out. Since it would mean breaking up you and your honey, why don't you go together. Tara can go with you and if Xander shows he can join us," Buffy suggested.
"All right I'll just leave a note to tell him where you'll be patrolling so he can meet with you."
Buffy still couldn't shake the feeling the Turok-Han was hiding somewhere at the old Christmas tree lot. She always routed her patrol to end there hoping to catch up to old ugly again. They had dusted at least three new nests of vampires and several demons.
Wesley of course knew the name of each individual demon but all she cared about was whether they could get up again. Buffy wondered how the others were doing and hoped everyone was okay. Angel and his people had been in town now for three days. Xander never showed up that first night for patrol; they hadn't been in the same room together since her first night in town.
Shrugging her shoulders Buffy continued to the vacant lot. Connor was with her the others had gone on back to the house. They split up when they reached the lot. Each of them taking a side then looking for cover. Looking towards the open area, Buffy felt something behind her as she spun around she stopped in surprise. "Angel! What are you doing her? Get down it will see you."
"Why are you hiding Buffy? You and Connor playing a little lovers game in the dark?" He purred moving closer to her.
"What do you think you're doing? No we aren't and if we were it isn't any of your business."
She looked at him as if she didn't even know who he was which only angered Angel more. "Oh I beg to differ with you sweetheart. You and my son are much my business. Tell me do you close your eyes when he's inside you imagining that it's me? Is that why you're with him? Why Buffy, when you could have the real thing?" Angel kissed her hard; she squirmed in his arms but he only held her tighter.
Buffy could feel him hard against her stomach. She pushed away from him. "How dare you? Who the hell do you think you are? Don't you ever touch me again, Angel. Now get away from me before you regret it," she threatened.
"You know you want to be with me, Buffy. You still love me; I'm in your blood like you're in mine, admit it. Why are you acting like this? Let me show you what it can be like again. Let me help you remember how good we feel together." Angel grabbed her again his hands roamed roughly over her body as his mouth once again claimed hers.
Buffy saw red; she stomped her foot down on his instep. Angel released her in pain and shock.
"Buffy."
Before another word came out of his mouth, she punched him in the face with all of her might. He flew over the bushes into the open area. Buffy sprang over them advancing on him.
Angel got to his feet, and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Teaching you the rules."
She spun around kicking him in the head. It flew back as she twisted to deliver a blow to his stomach. Angel gasped from pain, bending forward as Buffy grabbed his hair pulling his head up.
Looking him in the eye, she ground out, "I don't want you. I love Stephen; he's more of a man than you'll ever be. If I had met the man you have become when I was 16, I never would have loved you. So, either you keep your distance, or this will seem like a walk in the park. Next time Angel, you won't walk away and Cordelia will have to keep you in a jar by her bed."
Buffy stepped back, allowing him to stand up. She jumped into a sidekick as one foot hit the side of his face the other hit solidly on his ribs. The sound of them cracking was heard in the quiet knight. Connor came running over only to see the end of the fight.
"What happened what did he do?" His voice deep with concern as he looked at her until he noticed her bruised lips.
"You son of a bitch, I'll kill you and this time I won't fail."
Buffy held him back. "Stephen, I took care of it. Don't worry baby he know I'm yours. I made sure he got the point loud and clear. Let's go home."
Connor bent down to Angel. "Don't ever touch her again if she doesn't kill you I will. You have no place in our lives. If you're here to help then do it otherwise, leave." Turning he scooped Buffy up into his arms as she giggled.
Angel stared after them through the eye that wasn't swollen shut. He heard them murmuring to each other as Connor carried Buffy away. They stopped as Connor's head bent down to kiss her. Buffy's arms wrapped tightly around his neck her fingers playing in his hair.
Angel put his head back down and just laid where they had left him. What just happened here? Why would I do that? Maybe it's the First, I know that I'm jealous but still I wouldn't force myself on Buffy. If she didn't hate me before she will now. Now, I'm alone except for Cordelia, but she isn't Buffy. She'll will never be Buffy
Connor and Buffy were soaking in the tub wrapped in each other's arms.
"Please talk to me, Stephen."
"I'm just trying to calm down. I can't believe that he'd go that far. He's dead to me; I wish he really was dead."
"No baby, don't wish that not unless it goes that far, and there's no choice. Maybe, it's the First working through him. Let's hope anyway. Angel's certainly changed, but I still can't believe he'd have gone that far. There's to be some reason behind it.
She leaned forward to kiss him tenderly, effectively cutting off their discussion.
Let's not talk about him anymore, not when we're here together now. We love each other. I just want to take what we have right here in this room and concentrate on it."
Connor pulled her close so she was lying on top of him. They would end each night here in the bath, relaxing and talking over their night.
When their feelings turned passionate, they would move to the bed to continue the exploration of each other's body. It seemed each night they found a new pleasure point or a way to satisfy each other. They still hadn't taken that final step, but the anticipation fueled their touches, causing each night even to seem more special than the last.
Tonight was no exception, their bodies came alive with the lightest touch, the flick of a tongue or soft kiss. Connor laid her on the bed as her hair fanned out behind her, shining in the soft light. Her skin still rosy from the heated water. He grabbed vanilla scented oil and starting with her feet began to stroke and smooth over every inch of her golden skin. Buffy's eyes closed as she luxuriated in the feel of his strong hands. She moaned as his hands moved along her body. They slid over around the curves, with tender loving care.
"Yes, baby like that."
Buffy pulled him up to her as his name escaped her lips in tiny gasps of air. His face clearly showed her the love and passion he felt for her.
"Make love to me, Stephen," she softly whispered.
"Are you sure, Liz?"
"Yes, we have everything we need here, right now it's perfect. We're the only two people in the world tonight. Make love with me; let's show each other that what we've waited for was worth it. I love you Stephen let me show you how much."
They never took their eyes off one another as their hands intertwined.
"You feel so good," she whispered.
"I want it to be good for us."
He looked down into her beautiful face wondering how he had gotten so lucky to have her in his life.
"Listen to me, Stephen. It's good. Whatever we do with each other's good. You're an incredible lover, baby. No one has ever given me more pleasure, or ever will again."
They moved with each other, knowing what the other needed. Their breathing came faster, turning into little pants and moans. Buffy pulled his head down to hers as she kissed him, they fell over the edge together.
Angel limped home then up the stairs to the room, he shared with Cordy. She was waiting for him laid out, dressed as some wanton dominatrix. She wore a spiked dog collar and leather Merry Widow, cinched so tight that her breast overflowed the upper confines, increasing their already voluminous appearance. She had toys for every delight or perversion, depending on ones predilections, laid out in a row, with surgical precision. Angel, ignoring the plethora of decadent sexual delights displayed before him, swept the covers back, before he laid his tired and beaten body carefully on the bed, and summarily closed his eyes.
"Angel, what happened? Are you okay?"
"Just need some sleep, Cor," he mumbled then passed out.
"Now, what am I supposed to do?"
Cordelia eased off the bed, stripped out of her costume, pulled on a robe, and rescued several toys from the floor. She padded to the bathroom, turning on the shower full blast and dropping her robe on the floor. She started to lather her body under the steaming spray, when she reached for the first toy, she felt a hand.
"Allow me, seems a shame to waste water, when we could share. You know a friend giving a friend a hand," a husky voice said from behind her.
Cordy turned to see Kennedy, standing there holding Cordy's favorite toy in her hand. She rubbed it over her own pert breasts then down her body. Cordy watched the younger girl as expertly maneuver the smooth silicone around her body. Her eyes glazed over as she smiled.
"Well, it is a shame, and we wouldn't want to wake anyone."
Kennedy smiled. Gothca. She leaned forward to kiss the older woman as she stopped playing with herself to caress the ripe form in front of her. Kennedy knew a lot about Cordy thanks to her sources. She had also spied on her and Angel several times on her way home from Xander's house. Cordelia liked it rough, but wanted to hand it out to someone also.
She planned to give her exactly what she wanted, and more. Using her strong slayer hands, she pushed Cordy back against the shower wall.
Cordelia grabbed her hair pulling her up. "Do whatever you want just don't leave marks that I can't explain."
Smiling hard at the younger girl, she pinched her brutally as they both moaned. Grinning as she used the instrument of pleasure to torture Cordelia. Splashing water up on the dyed blonde to make the slaps hurt more, when she stopped the other woman was breathing heavily as she came.
"Do you want more, or want to give as good as you get?" she challenged.
Cordelia grinned as she swept up another toy from her stack of favorites.
"I think that I'll dish for a while, then we can both give."
They smiled at each other seeing themselves in the other person. The two of them played for hours, until they were too soar for anymore. Kissing each other goodnight, they then crept back to their rooms and their other lovers.