Chapter 21
Cordelia screamed when the jar shattered in her hand. "No! What happened? Damn it I was so close. How did Buffy get here so fast? Who called her?"
"Cordy are you okay" Fred called through the door.
"Yes I'm fine; I thought there was a mouse."
"Oh Cordy the others are back and someone's hurt. Connor is carrying them and he looks scared." Fred rushed down the steps.
Cordelia opened her door as Connor moved by her without a glance. Then Wes, Gunn, Fred and Lorne rushed past. Angered by everyone's attitude she went to see who they were so focused on. Just then, she saw Angel hurrying up the stairs. "Angel you're all right" she threw herself at him. "I was so worried about you. He was horrible to me Angel; he said mean terrible lies and even made Fred cry." She looked up at him waiting to be comforted.
"Yeah I could tell you hated every swallow." Angel pushed her away and followed the others.
"Liz, can you hear me please wake up," Connor begged.
"Stephen what happened?" She touched his face, gently wiping away a tear.
"Angel bit you then you wouldn't wake up."
"I'm okay now Stephen, I promise. It was just exhaustion from the fight," Buffy assured him.
"Why does she call him Stephen?" Fred asked Lorne.
"It is who he wants to be with her I guess," Lorne answered.
"Is she all right?" Angel asked from the door, walking into the room. "Buffy I'm so sorry. What are you doing in LA?"
"It's okay. I live here now, have been for almost three months now," she answered. "I'm glad to have helped but I need to get home." She got out of bed over everyone's protests.
Connor stepped beside her to walk with her towards the door, just as Cordelia walked in. "Hi Buffy please stay we would only worry about you. Wouldn't we Angel?" She put her hand on his arm.
Angel looked down at Cordy's hand then back into Buffy's eyes. "Yes we would."
Her face didn't change at all, as she shook her head. "I'm fine. There are some people I need to check on now the sun is back out gain." Stepping closer to the door, she swayed and Connor wrapped an arm around her waist. Buffy smiled up at him in thanks as they continue walking out the door.
"Connor, where are you going?" Cordelia demanded of the younger man.
"It's not your concern Cordy but I'm taking Liz home. You can keep my old place or move in here, don't care I won't be living either place."
"Well where will you be?" She yelled at his back.
"If I had wanted you to know I would have told you. Lorne, Liz wants you to come and see her later."
Connor and Buffy left together as the rest of AI watched a stunned Angel and Cordelia. "How does Buffy know you?" "What is this Liz crap?" They say at the same time.
"She came into Caritas one night and sang," Lorne smiled.
Cordelia snorted, "Bet your head rang for days." "Actually Cordy, she has about the sweetest set of pipes I have ever heard."
"You are kidding me," her eyes narrowed.
"Nope that little sugarplum could make a mint in the studios. From what I've heard about town, she's been offered big bucks to model and several juicy roles. Twinkie turned them all down; doesn't like to be in front of the cameras." Lorne grinned like a proud poppa.
"Modeling and movies as what a midget?" Cordy laughed then asked in a hard voice, "Who told you this, Buffy? Sounds like her, everything was always about her just because she was the slayer."
"Oh, I knew she looked familiar." Fred ran to her room and came back with a Movies 'N More, waving in her hand. She blushed, it was Cordy's subscription but she got hooked on the show business gossip magazine. "Here that is her isn't it? She is so beautiful." Fred had the magazine open showing a glossy picture of four people.
"Let me see that." Cordy snatched the magazine away from the other woman to read aloud.
Quentin Tarantino seen about town with the elusive Liz. She is the IT girl of the millennia.
Everyone wants to know her and photos are going for top dollar.
Seems she has outdone even the more elusive like our boy Leonardo.
Her and our boy about town Quentin have opened an exclusive dojo off Rodeo.
You have to be someone to even get invited in the door.
Seems the beautiful Miss Liz is as dangerous as she is beautiful.
She teaches and choreographs stunts in martial arts and her specialty is swords. Yee Ouch.
"There is a picture here with Buffy sitting at a table with Quentin Tarantino and," Cordy looked at it closer. "I am not believing this. She has Uma Thurman and Lucy Lui sitting across from her. I don't believe this what a load of crap, those pictures have to be airbrushed and cropped or something. No one's hair looks like that." Cordelia threw the magazine on the ground stalking off.
The others looked down noticing Buffy's light golden hair caught by the photo as she laughed with three other people. Not saying a word at Cordelia's dyed locks. She had it freshened up after her memory returned. She kept going on about it being the color that was all the rage.
Chapter 22
Buffy and Connor arrived at the apartment where she called Giles immediately. "Giles I need you and Tara to come here right away. Can you do an exorcism or whatever? Tara is good at reading auras. She should be able to tell if someone was evil or had something evil inside that could be removed right? So between the two of you then you could rip it out by its brown roots huh, oh my bad. It's Cordelia. She was supposed to be on a higher plane, ascooted or something. I think she brought back a hitcher. Oh stop laughing, I know I couldn't either but that's what she said. Wherever she was something came with on the return trip."
Connor's eyes got wide as he ran to the bathroom to throw up. A hand smoothed over his back, a glass of water was set beside him on the floor with a cool washrag. "Stephen you couldn't have known. Do you want to talk about it? How about I tell you my life story warts and all then you tell me yours." He raised a pale face to her and she smiled down at him.
They walked into the living room to sit on each end of the couch facing each other. "I'll start so you can see your life isn't all that bad." Buffy didn't wait for an answer just started talking. She didn't leave anything out as her life; she bared her soul for him to see.
"You're an angel, Father told me about them. I don't see any wings but you feel good to me here." Connor put his hand over his heart.
Buffy smiled. "I'm not perfect or anything Stephen. Just me what I am now, I've adjusted and am comfortable with myself. It was hard at first like I'm sure it was for you." Buffy waited for Connor to talk.
He talked about his confusion and mixed emotions. The real reason he left the hotel that day. "Then I met you but it still hurts. Even knowing what you just said, after waking up with me. She gave herself to him begged him to touch her. Is it supposed to be that way? Do people just go from one person to the next and do those things? Father said it should mean something; it was important and shouldn't be taken for granted. It is supposed to be special isn't it; I thought I was special that she thought it too." Confusion and hurt shown in his eyes as he looked to Buffy for answers.
"No Stephen you don't just go from person to person. It should be special and it is when you care and know each other. I have only been with two people. Both of them I thought I knew and that we felt and wanted the same from each other. We knew each other's secrets and accepted them or so I thought. It didn't work out but I still want that kind of relationship someday. When the time is right, you will find someone who will love you as much as you do them and will understand the difference. Just don't rush into it so you have a chance to be sure that it's right first. Now I'm starving hopefully someone is delivering pizza let's see." Buffy jumped up off the couch. "The number is on the fridge call while I take a shower. Later we can go and get your clothes and any other stuff that you want to bring over. Lorne should be coming by sometime soon, I wonder what is keeping him?"
"You mean I can stay?" He thought she would want him to leave after hearing everything he had done, especially to Angel.
"Of course silly why would I change my mind? Oh nope, better than anyone I can understand what you went through. There is no telling what kind of things I would have done if I hadn't left."
Connor watched her bounce out of the room. Liz was wonderful maybe hearing Cordelia was the best thing that ever could have happened to me.
Cordelia was furious as she paced her room. How was Buffy the toast of the town? As long as she doesn't get in my way then it is fine. This whole town will soon be mine anyways. They will throw roses at my feet when I walk down the street. Just a few more days and everything will be perfect.
"Angel, Lorne and I need to speak with you a moment in you office."
"Come on Fred, I'm bushed. Why don't you bring that magazine and any others to my room? You can show me other pictures of Liz." Fred smiled at him nodding as they walked off down the hall.
"I wouldn't be telling you this but in light of tonight's events I feel I have to."
"What is it Wes?"
"Buffy wasn't in Hell, Angel."
"I know, I called Sunnydale to talk to her and Willow's friend, Tara, told me. Is that it?"
Wesley quickly stood up to leave. "You are very cavalier about this perhaps I'm mistaken."
Lorne pulled him back down, in an uncharacteristically stern voice. "No Wes, tell him the rest of it. His whole life is affected by it and there isn't a choice, now."
"Her friends ripped her out of heaven. When she returned, she brought back what she was up there with her. Willow stuffed it into Buffy's old body. She is an angel housed in the body of a slayer. When you, when Angelus drank from her your soul returned and locked in place. Her blood is pure Angel, no curse could remain behind. Being that close to anything spiritual hurting caused her inner being to take control. It literally burned away the curse. Lorne confirmed it." Wesley told him all of this in a cool clinical voice.
"It's true, Angelcakes. My little sugarplum fairy granted your biggest wish. Wes told me about the fight. I don't understand where she gets that strength from. Liz being that close to that much evil well no wonder she fainted," Lorne shook his head.
"What do you mean? She was the same as always. Buffy kicked the Beast's ass if anything she is stronger than ever."
Lorne threw up his hands, "I give up you really are dense." He got up marching out of the office slamming the door.
"What did I say wrong Wes?" Angel looked at the closed door in confusion.
Wesley looked at the other man with something close to contempt. "What didn't you would be easier to answer. We are close friends with Buffy and very protective of her. He was trying to tell you that the real reason she passed out wasn't from being bitten but from pushing herself beyond excruciating pain to fight. Otherwise, Angelus wouldn't have put a finger on her, I dare say," he snapped.
"I'm not a push over Wes. I can hold my own." Wesley gave an uncharacteristic snort. "Get over yourself Angel. The Beast was throwing you around like a cotton ball. Think about what I've said and you're welcome." Wesley got up to leave.
"Wesley are you going to come back now that things are better? We did things we regret but you're welcome if you want to return."
"I don't know that I belong here anymore Angel. If I change my mind I'll let you know, but I do wish you well." Wesley walked away from the office, the hotel and possible his old life completely.
Chapter 23
"Lorne, there is something inside Cordelia something evil. That is what you read and they sucked out of your brain. My watcher and a friend are on their way and I'm going to need your help to pull this off... She will have to be knocked out somehow. So slip her a mouse thingy. They will do the rest but be careful I don't know what it can do. I don't want you or anyone else hurt. You may have to have Angel help you whatever you think is best just do it. They will be here about five so you have at least four hours," Buffy explained.
"How am I suppose to get to Angel without her knowing?"
"Call him and have him meet you at the club to talk to someone. Stephen can watch the hotel to make sure she doesn't follow," Buffy suggested.
"Give me the phone," Lorne sighed.
Angel walked into Caritas. "Lorne are you here?"
"Yeah Angelcakes come on back here." He gulped down his drink immediately pouring another. Lorne explained everything to Angel quickly and what they needed to do to help.
"No, it's not true stay here and don't do anything until I get back." Angel disappeared out the back of Caritas.
Angel entered Skip's lair. "Angel, my man how's it hanging?" The metal demon grinned. "Tell me what you know about Cordy's ascension to become a higher being," he demanded. "And then her coming back. What did you do to her?"
"That vision girl, haven't seen her since she chose to keep 'em. Only higher being I've heard of is a little golden angel of a slayer. Man you should have heard the uproar when someone pulled her out. Kid was a favorite up top died for her sister, strongest slayer ever. So whoever took her wasn't me" Skip shrugged.
"How do I know you aren't lying to me?" Angel growled, not liking the direction this conversation was heading.
"Not to dis your friend or anything but what would you think she had done to earn that honor?" Skip looked at Angel waiting for an answer.
"But her visions, she almost died of them" Angel sputtered.
"Yeah and something was done to help. So what, do you have any idea what that slayer went through, sacrificed to receive her reward? You think a migraine is even on the 'might be' list. Go away vampire, the others are right about you. Your priorities are all wrong. You know, you really are a dork."
Skip walked away and Angel tried to follow but ran into some invisible force. It knocked him backwards to land once again on the sidewalk where he had first entered.
Defeated he called Lorne, "I'll handle it just give me a little while to get what I need. Then get the others out of the hotel. Yes, I know what I'm doing. I'll call you when it's safe." Angel was determined to get the real Cordy back no matter what it takes. He just had to remember it wasn't her but a demon in control, hopefully she won't remember anything. He headed towards a special store for what he needed.
Everyone ended at Buffy's just as Giles and Tara arrived. After the introductions were over, she moved to hug the two from Sunnydale.
"You look beautiful Buffy," Tara said. She almost had to close her eyes from the brightness of the other girl's aura. Tara started to cry. "Excuse us guys we will be right back." She pulled Tara into her bedroom. "Tara honey please don't cry. I forgive you. It was painful at first but not so much now. Only if there is a big baddy and I'm hoping you brought me some goodies to fix that."
Buffy held onto Tara's hands. "Buffy, I sshouldn't hhave llet her. I wwasn't strong enough and now you are paying for it."
"Listen, it's done and we just have to go from here. Giles told me about everything that happened how are you doing. I never thought Willow would go that far. I'm sorry that you were hurt by it all. It seems like my life got better and theirs got worse. I wish I could have stayed but I couldn't Tara. I was barely hanging on."
"Buffy, you did the right thing. Willow and Xander have to learn to live for themselves. You can't be the center of their world. I think that is the reason they both pushed so hard to get you back. They didn't know what to do without you, more than anything else. I tried to help Willow, even Xander but you can't help someone if they won't admit they have a problem."
"Tara, you have come into your own since I last saw you. Let me tell you witchy-poo, it looks good on you. Now let's eat pizza and talk about nonsense over some Hawaiian Delight," Buffy said pulling back into the other room.
Chapter 24 (NC-17)
Angel entered the hotel with a bottle of champagne and flowers. He knocked on Cordy's door and she pulled the door open smiling when she saw him. "For me are we celebrating?" She took the flowers, laying them on the table beside the bed. "What is the special occasion?" She purred sliding up against him.
"My soul is bound. When it went back in this time, it locked in place. Lorne and Wes confirmed it. I thought we would finish what we couldn't before," he said grabbing her. Angel remembered how the demon Cordy liked it rough. "Let's drink to it shall we?" He popped the top pouring her a glass handing it to her.
"Aren't you having any?" Cordy smiled at him brightly.
"Can't taste it just wanted you to be happy and relaxed," he smiled.
"I love champagne yum."
Angel started kissing her neck rubbing up and down her back. She moved closer to him; her hands were quickly ripping open his pants. "Slow down Cordy; we have plenty of time."
"We can do slow next time. I want hard and fast now, Angel. We have waited long enough. I've wanted you since high school." Stepping back, she dropped her robe showing her nude body underneath.
It was almost as if she knew he was coming tonight or was waiting for someone else. Cordy put his hands on her breasts but he saw Connor's hands for a moment. He squeezed them hard, as if to punish the demon for his son.
"Ooh yeah Angel. I love it like that take me, take me hard." She ripped open his shirt pushing his pants off his hips.
Angel realized that he had to get more champagne into her. "Drink up your going to need it." Pouring her more and handing her the glass. Cordy sipped it but he tipped it back, almost pouring it down her throat. When she finished it, he refilled the glass. "More so you can do and take all the things I want to do to you."
She laughed and quickly drank another glass. "Now, come here and give me that big cock of yours. How do you want me? You can have me anyway you want," she said huskily. Her fingers were already rubbing furiously at her clit then sliding inside until she took them all. Her hips thrust against her hand as she looked at him expectantly.
He knew he had no other choice but to go through with this. "On your hands and knees then I can reach all of you." I won't have to look into a demon wearing Cordy's face. Hopefully, she won't remember any of this.
She turned on the bed spreading herself for his pleasure. Coming up behind her, he gritted his teeth, and then slammed into her waiting body. "Oh yes, Angel more, fuck me hard baby. Harder, you feel so good, pound me into the bed."
He grabbed her hips, his nails leaving marks, Angel slammed into her over and over, as she moaned begging for more. Leaning over her, he pinched her nipples pulling down in a hard jerk. Her legs spread wider to take him deeper, pushing back against him. "More Angel harder, so hard it hurts." Angel couldn't figure out if he was punishing himself, Cordelia or whatever was inside her.
She took one of his hands putting it on her ass guiding a finger into her rosette. "Yes, there fill me all up." Sliding his finger in to stroke her in and out. "More," she ordered. "More stretch me fill me till I'm full." Jabbing another finger into her, he quickened his pace. "Oh yes, yes, yes, more." She orgasmic then ordered for more, now. His other hand reached around for her clit pinching and pulling. She screamed with another orgasm and he finally came then pulled out of her.
Pouring more champagne, he all but poured it down her throat. This is taking too damn long. What is she going to want next bondage or me to bite her? I can't do that to Cordy's body.
She swallowed the wine then sucked him into her mouth till he once again hard. "Now, we can go slower but not too slow. I like the hard and not too fast as well." Laying back, she pulled him down to her.
"Put your hands over you head and we will play a game." She laughed and did as he asked. Her leg pulled him forward, almost seating him inside in one move. "Not so fast let's make this last longer." Bending down and gnawing on her nipples almost biting them.
"Bite them, Angel." His head came up looking at her. "I just always wanted to know what it was like." He continued what he was doing but didn't use his fangs. He pushed two fingers into her; her hips move against him. "More put them all in." Angel did and not too gently moving his hand faster and faster. "Need you in me, now." He pushed into her moving slowly waiting for the drugs to work and for his next orders.
"Angel would you be my first."
"Huh," he asked her confused.
"You know there." Cordy looked him in the eye until she saw understanding dawn.
"You will need to drink more if you're sure it will hurt some. Here." Handing her more wine, watching her drink it down.
She gulped it down then pulled her legs up to her chest positioning herself for him. "Is this right?"
"That's perfect Cordy; here sip this down." She took the glass drinking it quickly looking at him with hungry eyes. Angel slowly pushed himself into her body, which accepted him easily. First time my ass, oops no, her ass.
Watching her closely as he moved inside her. Her eyes finally began to droop and she passed out as he reached his own completion. He found her robe wrapping it around her then chained her securely to the bed.
Chapter 25
Angel cleaned up then called the others. He went downstairs to wait for them. Buffy and Connor weren't with them neither was Fred. Angel was disappointed but not surprised.
Giles looked at Angel as if he were a bug and he felt the urge to squirm. "Where is she?" Giles demanded. Ripper was in the house and wanted to rip out the dark haired vampire's fangs.
"Upstairs in her room, she is chained and passed out. There is enough drugs in her system, hopefully, to give you enough time to finish. I'll show you where she is," he offered.
"The room number will suffice."
"200," Angel told him dejectedly.
"Tara, are you ready? Wesley your assistance would be appreciated." Giles moved up the stairs with the others following him.
"Where is Fred?" Angel asked looking for the shy girl.
"She stayed at Liz's. Said she didn't think she could handle it," Gunn answered.
"So all of you have been at Buffy's home. Where is she living?" A look of hope on his face.
"Sorry Angelcakes no can do. Twinkie will tell you if she wants you to know."
Roughly, fifteen minutes later a high-pitched scream was heard. They took off running up the stairs to stand in the hall. There was a huge black swarm shooting out of Cordy's mouth as she screamed. Tara threw salt at it as she chanted. Cordy's body writhed on the bed then went completely slack.
"Is it over, did it work?" Angel asked looking at his friend on the bed.
"Yes and your welcome. Come along Tara we need to get back to Buffy's." Giles moved through the door all but shoving Angel aside.
"Giles," he began.
"If you thank me, I will pull your fangs out. I didn't do it for you or even for Cordelia. I did it because Buffy asked me to. Now move out of my way before I take great pleasure in moving you." Ripper stared coldly at Angel and he moved aside. Giles and Tara walked out of the hotel to catch a cab.
"Damn, that is one scary Englishman," Gunn said.
"You have no idea, Gunn," Angel muttered.
"So, everything went okay?" Buffy asked.
"Yes, now to help you dear girl. That's the most important thing, not anyone else," Giles answered.
Tara set up a circle of alternating white and black candles with Buffy in the center. Buffy sat with her eyes closed in one hand was a pure white crystal in the other a black obelisk of marble. Giles was burning lavender and chanting in a low deep voice. Tara stepped back and her whole manner changed. The shy blond girl was gone in her place was a strong, confident and powerful witch. Her voice echoed in the room as she cast the spell.
Hecate goddess of magic hear me
Help this golden child here on earth
Let the pain she feels from evil pass back to its source
She is a worthy warrior of the light
Look and judge her so
Look and help her now
Look and make it so
The white candles suddenly all lit and the crystal began to glow brighter and brighter. A beam of light arced over Buffy's head making her hair glow giving the appearance of a halo. The beam shot into the obelisk, which started to glow a deep dark red, the color of old blood, of pain. As the crystal began to dim, the white candles blew out and the black ones flared to life. The crystal was back to its original state but the obelisk was glowing a deep brilliant red. Then the black candles went out and the obelisk returned to normal as well.
Buffy opened her eyes and sighed. "Thanks guys I feel better already. So explain to me exactly how this is going to work? Stephen, Fred, you can come and join us in here," she called. They walked in from the kitchen sat down ready to listen. Once the remains of the spell was all cleared away, everyone sat.
Buffy was beside Tara holding her hand in comfort. "We were able to find this spell with Anya's help. It asks for you to be judged. If you are worthy then it helps you. So we worded it to ask for what you needed. Whatever pain others made you feel will be absorbed back into them. You will still feel them they just won't cause you any pain," Giles explained.
"How will this affect people who give me the wiggins?" Buffy looked at her Watcher expectantly.
"They will find you presence uncomfortable. If they are truly evil then it will be the no different for them as any other demon." Giles watched her process the information then she looked at him with tear bright eyes.
"I don't want to hurt people Giles. Is that what I've become now?" A tear splashed down her cheek.
Connor jumped across the room and was beside her in an instant. Wrapping his arms around her, she cried into his neck. They all watched as Connor calmed Buffy. The two took comfort from each other. They were quite beautiful together, his dark good looks and her golden ones. Somehow, they seemed right together no one in the room felt any awkwardness seeing them this way.
"I'm sorry everyone, the only person I've ever hurt was Faith. That fight gave me nightmares for years. I just don't want to have those feeling return." Buffy explained not moving from her place beside Connor.
"Buffy, the circumstances were quite unique in that case. This is different; you are only allowing them to feel the evil inside of themselves" Giles said.
"Buffy, err, Liz, which should I call you?" Fred asked.
"I prefer Liz but either is fine. What did you want to say Fred?"
"You should think of it this way. If being around you makes them uncomfortable or hurt, maybe it will help them change or stop whatever they are doing. So, see it isn't you who is hurting them but waking them up so they will do the right thing or not." Fred looked away wishing she hadn't said anything.
"Thanks Fred. You're right. I didn't think of it like that. No wonder Lorne and Wesley talk about you so much." Buffy smiled at the other woman.
"They do, what do they say? Oh never mind, I'm not sure I want to know."
"It was always good, like how smart, kind and pretty you are," Buffy answered.
Giles' cell phone rang. "Hello, Quentin. What is the matter? No not that I am aware of I will have to call you back where are you? Fine stay there and I'll ring back shortly." He hung up only to begin dialing furiously. "Pick up the blasted phone!"
"Giles, what is the matter?"
Shaking his head, he continued to wait for someone to answer. "Faith, are you all right? You haven't had any major injuries maybe lost consciousness. I'll explain later. I'm on my way back momentarily. Stay there please and Faith be safe." Hanging up with a puzzled look on his face, Giles once again dialed the phone. "Quentin, she is fine. This is unprecedented. It is surely not a good sign. You are sending her here to me. What about her own Watcher? Fine one of my associates is scheduled to return in three days. Yes, Willow Rosenberg. I'll have her meet what is the girl's name. Yes, fine I have it. She will be met at the airport and they can return together. Fine. Don't give them any documents, I'd rather they come directly to me. They will get to me before they will anyways. Yes, I will keep you abreast of the situation."
"All right now Giles, what was that about?" Buffy demanded.
"Another slayer has been activated. No one knows why. There was an old text found but no one can translate it so far. Quentin is sending it to me and the girl will fly back with Willow. I'm going to have to go back immediately. Please take care this could be a dangerous time for you." Walking over he pulled her up into a tight hug. Buffy rose on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Giles eyes widened for a moment. Oh my! She doesn't even realize. "Tara dear are you ready?"
She nodded to him as Buffy walked over and wrapped her arms around her in a big hug. She kissed Tara on the cheek and Tara smiled brightly at her. "Tara, thank you for your help. You are the kindest person I've ever known. Take care of both of you and call me if you need me. I will gladly come and help, promise me." Buffy looked them both in the eyes and they nodded their heads in agreement as they hurried out the door.
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