Chapter 26
A knock was heard at the door startling Buffy. No one could come up with out her allowing them access. She stepped back over to the door putting her hand against it and closing her eyes then sighed. Buffy opened the door to Wesley, Lorne, and Gunn laughing she waved them inside. "How about Chinese? It seems that LA is as bad as Sunnydale nothing seems to faze it. Everything is up and running like nothing happening. The papers and TV are talking about some fluke meteor shower that caused mental breakdowns and hallucinations. How much you want to bet there will be a movie made about all of this? Hey, maybe I will take that role." Buffy shook her head at the denial of the world to everything that wasn't 'normal.'
"Sounds good to me, I'm starving. Would you show us the downstairs first?" Gunn asked.
"Sure is there anyone else interested? Wesley, you've already seen it so would you go ahead and make the order? You know what everyone likes just get a lot of everything. Come on guys." Buffy walked over to a door off of the dining room that looked like a closet.
"Uh, why are we going into a closet Twinkie?" Lorne asked.
"Oh, my partners were fanatics about security since I live here to. Also, most of our clients are top names, so they went a little crazy with it all but mine is even more over the top. I think it was just an excuse for them to go all Mission Impossible."
Buffy laughed then pulled open the door wide to reveal a small closet like room. A light automatically came on to show a room the size of a small elevator with another door on the opposite side. This door was anything but normal. It was solid steel with a keypad and screen that glowed softly. Buffy walked over and typed a code in then laid her hand on the screen and the door slide open.
"Neat huh? This is the office just your normal stuff. I have a great office manager that is an old friend of Rob's. Come on the good stuff is downstairs." They see her putting in code on a panel to the door and open it for them to go through. Walking down the stairs they look at the building as Buffy turned on the lights.
It was a long singular room broken into separate spaces by the murals on the walls and the equipment that was assembled. Each of the areas were for a specific function and the murals depicted that in some manner. The interesting thing was they were all of angels, warrior angels, in armor with swords or staffs, with lightning shooting from their hands. They were each one beautiful and disturbing.
Buffy had set up areas to work with swords or martial arts. There was an area for learning to fall properly and even a wire attachment in the ceiling over some matting. The floors were a pale golden wood that gleamed under the light. The weapons alone had the men salivating.
Everyone turned when they heard Fred's gasp. "Oh my! That is the most beautiful picture that I have ever seen."
The front of the building had two huge stained glass windows. They created one single picture running across the door. It was of an angel in full armor fighting a dragon. One side had the angel with the sword ready to strike and the dragon's head snarled its mouth open. The dragon's neck stretched across the door to the other window where its body was curled ready to pounce. Its wings unfurled in all of its red, yellow, orange and golden glory.
"That is so cool. Where did you ever find someone that could think of something like that?" Gunn asked.
"I designed it myself. When I was a little girl, my mom would take me to museums all the time. My favorite picture was the one of St. George fighting the Dragon. I always liked that he wasn't afraid of the big mean monster." Buffy shrugged walking away.
"So sugarplum was rooting for the home teen even when she was just a juju bee," Lorne muttered.
Turning back to them, "So do you like it?"
"It's awesome Liz. If you ever need help ya know with maybe Halle Berry sometime give me a call," Gunn grinned.
Fred smacked him on the arm and glared at him. "Ooh Liz have you met Tom Cruise I think he is dreamy?" Fred smiled as Gunn frowned.
"Come on you two, the food should be here soon."
Everyone moved up the stairs but Connor lagged behind still looking around. Buffy walked over to him. "Stephen are you okay?"
"Yeah, I was just thinking of how you would look like that." He pointed to a mural.
"I don't know how I looked up there or how they really look. They just made me feel good when I saw them. Stephen, would you consider working here with me?"
Connor looked at her closely, "What would I do?"
"Well I need someone that can work on the stunts who is young and can step in for the actors. Your good and I will work with you to show you how to break it all down for someone else. My crew is great but they are older and the actors are getting younger. What do you say want a job?" Buffy smiled at him.
He picked her up whirling her around as they both laughed. "If you two are finished we can't get into Fort Liz and we are starving up here," Gunn yelled.
Buffy pulled Connor along as they followed the others up the stairs. She had already decided to ask Wesley if he wanted a job as well. It seemed that everyone wanted to learn how to use a sword either for a movie they were going to be in or one they hoped for. Wesley was good with one, plus Buffy liked the idea of being his boss, she smiled.
Chapter 27
Giles received the books from the Watcher's Council overnight express. He wasn't sure but something told him not to allow Willow to bring them back with her. He could see why the Council was so perplexed; the manuscript that was found did not translate into any written language he had ever seen. Several other reference guides were included in the package but they had so far proved useless.
The manuscript was bound in a strange type of material with a symbol on front. The ink used was from some substance that shown silver but wasn't any known compound based on the research attached. The lettering glow in the office lighting of the Magic Shop.
Taking the manuscript out to the main shop, now that everyone was gone, he began the tedious effort of cross-referencing. Several hours later, he was no closer to an answer and his frustration level was high. Languages and translations had always been his forte but this was a true puzzle.
Carrying all the books back into his office, he warded them then went to lock the office door. Before he could leave, something warned him he needed to protect the manuscript more. The book just seemed of such vital importance that extra precautions were needed.
Giles hesitated then made a decision to trust his instincts after all they had been right about Willow and averted a true disaster there. Willow's situation turned ugly but could have been fatal otherwise.
He strode back over to the books and put his hands on them. Giles pulled from deep inside himself, a place he hadn't dared to go for a long time. He whispered a spell and the books disappeared. Leaving the office and locking up everything behind him, he felt a sense of relief.
Giles stepped out onto the sidewalk and Faith was waiting for him. "Hey G kinda past your bedtime. What do ya say we go home and have a cuppa?" She said in a horrible accent.
He laughed at her. "Yes, Faith that sounds rather nice. I was relieved to hear your voice yesterday." Their voices faded off as they walked along, a pair of eyes watching them leave.
Fred, Lorne and Gunn returned to the hotel after spending the night at Buffy's. They walked in laughing and joking to find Cordelia lying on the sofa wrapped in a blanket. Moving towards her quietly not sure what to do, her eyes slowly open and she smiled at them. "Hi guys, I must have fallen asleep. Where have you been I was getting worried?"
"Cordy remember I told you where they were at. They stayed with a friend so you could rest." Angel stepped out of the shadows.
"Angel you scared me I didn't see you there," Fred jumped.
"Hey guys" he replied softly. Seeing how uncomfortable everyone was, Angel bent down beside Cordelia. "Cor, let me take you back upstairs. You should try to go back to sleep."
"I am still sleepy but, Angel, I can walk you don't have to carry me," she grumbled.
"Just humor me." Angel picked her up. Cordelia curled her arms around his neck but before snuggling into his neck, Lorne saw her face.
It wasn't the look of someone recovering from a possession; it was the satisfied look of a woman who had exactly what she wanted. He watched her fingers play with Angel's hair then heard her voice. "Angel will you stay with me while I sleep?"
"Yes Cordy, I won't leave you don't worry," he answered.
Lorne rushed to the phone a sick feeling in his stomach. Did they really get rid of the hitchhiker inside Cordy? The Cordy he knew before wouldn't use a situation like this. He dialed Buffy's number quickly hoping that she would help. "Sweetie, I hate to ask but could you come and check on something for me? Just want to be sure the bad stuff is all gone. Okay bye." He hung up to see Fred and Gunn looking at him. "Liz is going to come and check Cordy out. Can't be too careful you know. I've had enough of that stuff. I just want to be sure who is at home when I ring the bell know what I mean jelly bean?"
Chapter 28
Buffy hung up after talking to Lorne and looked at Connor. After everyone had left, they decided to relax for a while, so they were watching TV. They planned to get the rest of Connor's things then do some shopping.
"Stephen, that was Lorne. He wants me to come over and make sure that Cordelia is herself. Do you want to stay here or come with me? We could go ahead and do our errands after then go eat somewhere."
"I'll go with you. The sooner I leave my old place behind the better. You aren't going to make me try on a bunch of stuff are you? Cordelia did that when I first came back and I hated it," he asked.
"No, after I see what you have and know what sizes you wear, you shouldn't have to try on too much. So you can quit pouting."
"I am not pouting. It just wasn't any fun and took forever," Connor told her.
"It won't be that way, promise. I know some cool shops that I think you will like. It will be fun I promise." Buffy grabbed her keys as another idea struck her. "I need to teach you how to drive then we'll see about getting you a car. I waited until forever to learn but now I love it."
She smiled at the excitement in his eyes. "Really you will teach me?"
"Sure we can go somewhere outside the city and make a day of it. We will need to see about getting a copy of your birth certificate and a social security card. Hopefully, we won't have to buy any papers but if so Wesley should be able to come up with them. The money you make working at Wild Angels will more than pay for a car when you're ready. You can put the rest into savings or get a place of you own," she said the last part softly.
"No some of it goes for living here and I don't want to live anywhere else unless you want me to?" Connor asked. He was scared of her answer.
Buffy grinned at him "Nope seems I like having a roomie. Now get in so we can finish moving you in all official like."
"Yes mam!" Buffy smiled as she drove to the hotel. She hadn't realized how much she liked having Stephen living with her. It was comfortable almost natural, they liked the same things, could talk easily to each other even enjoyed being quiet together. Buffy hadn't known how lonely she was until he began to fill up that space.
They walked into the Hyperion and Lorne rushed over to Buffy. "Sugar plum, thanks for coming so fast. Hey, Connorkins you look happy today. Did our little sweetie sprinkle some fairy dust on you?"
Connor laughed, "Something like that."
"Where is she, Lorne?"
"She is up in her room resting, Angel is with her. Twinkie, it's room 200." Buffy nodded walking up the staircase. She softly knocked on the door. Angel opened it, surprise showing on his face seeing her there. "I came to check on Cordelia. Is it okay?"
"Angel, who is it?" Cordy called out from inside the room.
"Buffy came to see you, Cor. She wants to make sure that you're all right," Angel answered from the doorway.
"What's Buffy doing in LA?" She asked, confusion heard clearly in her voice.
"She lives here now." Angel whispered to Buffy "She only remembers pieces and is having terrible nightmares."
Buffy nodded then walked over to the bed. Cordelia was propped up like a princess, wearing a lace gown with spaghetti straps that barely covers her ample chest. When she moved in the bed Buffy saw, her nipples peek in and out of view. It is bad enough I have to be here but I have to talk to her and those huge hooters of hers. I would rather have the pain. I don't remember her being that big in high school. Focus Summers, focus. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get away from the Queen C and her twins.
Cordelia smiled brightly at Buffy. "Buffy, it's so nice of you to come see me. I'm doing much better Angel is taking care of me." No cattiness was in her voice but her eyes were hard.
Buffy leaned down to grab hold of the other woman's hand. "I'm glad Cordelia. No one deserves what happened to you; I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that."
Cordelia pulled her hand away rubbing it on the bedspread. "Angel could you get me some juice my stomach is starting to hurt?"
"Sure I'll be right back. Buffy, you can stay with her?" She nodded watching Cordelia closely. The bleached blonde seer was still rubbing her hand as the other pushed against her stomach as if to relieve an ache.
As soon as the door shut, Cordelia pushed up off the pillows to announce in a cold vicious voice. "You can leave Buffy there is nothing for you here. Angel and I are together and we are staying that way. The Powers changed me so I could handle the visions to help him, to stay by his side. He doesn't want or need anything from you. Do you know how he prepared me so Giles could take that whatever out of me? He brought me champagne and roses then proceeded to fuck my brains out until I passed out from exhaustion. I get wet just thinking about it. Go home little girl he has a woman now, a real woman." Leaning back once again Cordelia pulled her breasts free rubbing and teasing her nipples. Holding her breasts up in her hands like trophies, "I can do things for and to him you could never imagine. When he has something, like this, like me to satisfy his every need every desire, to live out every fantasy with. Why would he or any man for that matter ever choose a scrawny thing like you? A man wants a woman with curves something he can sink his hands and cock into. Even Angelus said so, if you don't believe me, go ask one of the others." Her whole manner changed suddenly as she adjusted her hair and gown. Cordelia covered her breasts after insuring herself one nipple was barely showing. She fluffed her short hair then sighed back on the pillow. The door opened as Angel entered with a tray of juice and a plate of toast.
"Well now that you are back I'll be going. Glad that everything turned out okay, for the both of you." Buffy quickly walked out heading towards the stairs.
Angel set down the juice to run after her. "Buffy, please wait, I need to talk to you. There are some things we need to discuss," he pleaded.
"No Angel, I have nothing to say to you and there is nothing I want to hear you say."
"Angel, please I need you. The pain is getting worse," Cordelia called.
"You are being paged and I have some shopping to do."
"That is not fair; she has been through a lot. I can't just walk away and abandon her. She doesn't deserve that" he responded. Buffy's eyebrow quirked at those words and Angel had the decency to look away. "I better go see what she needs. Can I meet you somewhere later?" He gave her his best half smile.
"No Angel, Goodbye!" She walked away leaving him staring after her, a shocked look on his face. Angel finally stopped watching as he returned to Cordy's room.
Chapter 29
"Sugar plum, what is the verdict?" Lorne asked, hoping that he was wrong.
Buffy wasn't sure how to tell him the answer. "Can we go somewhere else to discuss this?" She asked glancing up the stairs.
"Sure Twinkie, I will meet you at Caritas in an hour, just go in the office."
Buffy waved as her and Connor left the hotel. They packed up his stuff and took it back to her apartment then went to Caritas. Connor convinced her to sing while they waited for Lorne. Buffy was looking through the songs as Lorne pulled up a chair beside him.
"Ooh, she's going to sing. Connorkins, just wait you are in for a real treat."
Buffy chose 'Breath' by Faith Hill. She liked the song and that's the way she felt after leaving the hotel. She just wanted to breath, to pull in some clean air and get the stench of it all off her. Her voice filled the club as everyone stopped and listened to the clear beautiful sound.
Unknown to any of them, Angel had walked in the back. He wanted to talk to Lorne about Buffy. He stopped to listen to her sing. She seemed to be looking his way and he smiled. Then he realized that several tables in front of him sat Connor; Buffy was singing to his son, not him. They are only friends though nothing more. She wouldn't do that not like. He stopped himself from continuing that thought. No, that was the demon not Cordy not the real Cordy. She is my best friend. I know her better than anyone does.
Angel couldn't drag his eyes off Buffy. The lights made her hair glow even brighter. She finished the song as everyone clapped and cheered, Connor loudest of all. Angel frowned at that, wondering why was his son always after his women. He is just a child. He isn't ready for a relationship. Even if he was, he can't have Buffy or Cordy they are mine.
Looking back over at the table he almost missed them. Lorne, Buffy and Connor were going into Lorne's office and closing the door. Angel made to follow to listen in on the conversation when the bouncer stepped in his way. "What are you doing, Buzz?"
"Little lady asked not to be disturbed, specially by you. Don't seem to care for you much, so move off Angel. When she is here, you keep your distance from her. Lizzy is everyone's friend. They would get angry if you upset her."
"Who would get angry?" Angel didn't understand what the large demon was trying to tell him.
Buzz pointed to the crowd of demons of all shapes and sizes that were standing glaring at Angel. "Them."
Angel looked at the crowd in wonder. He knew at least half of them and had helped out several or had them as clients. They would choose Buffy over me? He looked back up at Buzz, who he had got the job working for Lorne. "And you Buzz, what about you?"
"Sorry Angel. If it came to a choice Lizzy would win. Go home, Angel. She doesn't come in that often. If she does just leave her alone and you won't have any problems, otherwise." The threat was left hanging in the air.
Angel turned leaving the club not understanding the turn of events. LA was his town, why would they choose her over him?
In Lorne's office, the green demon was much paler shade of green. "Then the Cordy we knew wasn't the real Cordy? I'm not sure I understand. She could be tactless but she still had a good heart."
"She may still have one, Lorne. I'm sure she may come back around but the Cordelia that is up in that room isn't a nice person. The Cordelia I knew in high school wasn't even as bad as she is now. Maybe it's residue from the hitcher or she never adjusted to her demon half. Whatever it is Lorne, I definitely make her uncomfortable the closer I am to her. When I touched her hand, she couldn't stop rubbing it on the bed or rubbing her stomach and complaining of pain. It could be her jealousy of me bringing it out of her. She could be the same with the rest of you and for you I hope that is true. I will call Giles and talk to Wesley to see if they found out anymore about what was going on with her. Someone or something has to be behind her friendly little passenger. I would have rather not known, believe me, that scene will not be washed out of my head any time soon." Buffy shook her head still trying not to think of the Double D Queen. Ewe "If Giles knows anything, I will let you know and same goes for Wesley. We have some errands to run, so we are going to be off Lorne." Buffy kissed him goodbye, which caused Lorne to smile brightly. Connor waved following her out. Lorne put his head in his hands and sighed. "I have to start drinking stronger drinks than Manhattans and Martinis. They aren't cutting it. Maybe it's time to move on up to drinking straight from the bottle. If the booze doesn't kill me, my friends will."
Chapter 30
Buffy called Giles when she got home but he was involved in deep research on something else. The best he could tell it was a symbiotic attachment that used Cordelia's memories and desires to achieve some goal. What that goal was he didn't know but did agree with her having Wesley research it more.
Buffy called Wesley only to find out he was already on it. "I am not having much luck though other than the book Lilah gave us on the Beast. After I read more about him it turned out, he was more of a servant to some darker power. My guess would be that whatever was in Cordelia was controlling the Beast. I do find it disconcerting that she is reverting to her previous personality, only harsher. I will try to include that in my research also. How are you doing now that Mr. Giles performed the spell?"
"Much better. Being near Cordelia didn't hurt anything but my eyes," she answered then put her hand over her mouth.
"What do you mean, dear? I thought you would have no ill effects. You must tell Mr. Giles right away perhaps the spell wasn't performed correctly" Wesley's voice was deep with concern.
"Relax, I don't mean hurt that way. Let's just say that she wanted me to see the evidence for myself that she is more of a woman than I am." Buffy heard him choking over the phone. "Are you okay? Wesley, answer me right now?"
"You don't mean she exposed herself to you?"
"Yep, she wiped out the Double-D Twins in living color. Like a proud momma at a fair. Man, Wesley I could have done without seeing that. To each there own and everything. I still think if you overlook her hair that Cordelia is still pretty. But why would any woman do that to their body? Those babies are huge. I mean how much saline did it take to float those boats?"
"Err, um, Buffy, if we could get back on the subject. I think there might be some serious problems associated with Cordelia's proclivities, shall we say," Wesley said tactfully.
"I'm not sure what you said. But if you mean all the gory details, she wanted to share with me about her and Angel then the peepshow. Sure, I get you. Maybe you should talk to Angel. He doesn't think she remembers anything but that isn't what she said. I don't think Lorne is up to it and I'm not going there again if I don't have to." Wesley sighed agreeing to go talk to Angel but would wait several days. "Wesley would you consider working with me? Seems everyone and their brother is either in a movie or making a movie involving sword fighting. You are good with a sword and the pay is good?" Buffy waited for his answer.
"When do you want me to start?"
"Really?" Buffy's asked excitedly.
"Yes, I have been thinking of changing things for a while. I don't know where Lilah went. She simply disappeared after delivering the book on the Beast. Our relationship wasn't based on any solid feelings and the group I started was in response to being abandoned. I would want to still patrol but not for money," Wesley told her.
"You can take the rest of this next week to get everything in order and hopefully find some answers. Is that enough time for you or do you need more?"
"No that will suffice. I will be seeing you madam boss in seven days. I will talk to you soon Buffy take care."
"Bye Wesley, you too."
Wesley's meeting with Angel did not go well. Angel refused to believe him saying he was making it up. Buffy was mistaken that he knew Cordelia didn't remember. He was the one the held her every night when she woke up screaming and crying from nightmares. He forbid him to talk about this to any of the others, Wesley nodded then left the hotel.
Connor and Wesley joined Wild Angels three months ago. They were just as busy as Buffy. Wesley and Connor became close friends from the start. Buffy thought it had a lot to do with Wesley being willing to call him Stephen. They all were so busy on different movies that none of them had gone out much since they were still patrolling at night. So except for a couple of nights at Caritas and a few private dinner parties they had not been on the town per say.
Tonight all of that was about to change, QT was back in town from promoting Kill Bill II and called Buffy. He told her to get ready he would be by to pick her up in two hours and no excuses. She told him about Stephen living with her and then asked about Wesley joining then as well. "Lizzy the more the merrier as long as my favorite girl is there, you could bring the LA Lakers. Two hours be ready, love ya bye." He hung up on her and she quickly called Wesley.
"Wesley, QT just called and invited us all on the town. Want to come?"
"Buffy, I'm afraid I'm exhausted. You and Stephen go and enjoy yourselves." Wesley encourage his friend to go out and have fun.
"But Wesley, everyone will think he is my date or something," she protested.
"Was I supposed to be the chaperone or the beard?"
"Huh?" Buffy had no idea what a beard had to do with them all going out together.
"Buffy, go out have fun. You and Stephen are adults and you are friends. If anything more should happen then maybe it's about time" Wesley sighed.
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You are far more intelligent than you let everyone know. So think about it and you will figure it out. Just trust yourself and your heart; you will do the right thing Buffy. Have fun." Wesley hung up on her.
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