Chapter Twelve: Search and Rescue. Sunnydale, Ca

They walked in the direction Cordelia had left,. Spike and Angel led the way, vampiric face on, enhancing their seses as they followed the remnants of her scent. Eventually they made it into the town and looked around.

"Anything?" Spike asked, he couldn't pick up anything. But Angel knew the chit's scent better than he did.

"Nothing." He said and led them into a near alley, both vampires letting their human visage re-appear.

"Maybe she's in one of the shops?" Gunn offered, grasping for an expanation to cover his worry. He didn't know if he should be made at Angel for his idiocy, or Cordelia for running off alone in Sunnydale. He figured when they found her, he'd let them both have a piece of his mind. "She always said spending money made her feel better."

"Yeah. My money." Angel said with a snort. That woman would drive him bankrupt and, if she wanted it, he'd let her. "But she doesn't have my credit card with her. Or anything for that matter. She left her purse in the house." He sighed, then tensed. He and Spike looked at each other, fists clenching as their heigthened senses picked up on something. "Yeah?" He asked the blonde vampire.

"Yeah. Low."

"Nah-ah. High."

"High?"

"High."

"Your call."

"What are you two talking about?" Buffy asked.

"Hand." Angel said, and Spike clasped his hand. They all stared and Riley smirked. He knew there was something funny about a guy who wore leather and silk all the time.

"Angel!" Gunn yelled with a horrified look. "What the hell are you doing?" They were all shocked when the demon charged, coming from no where. The two spread apart just in time, a wire between them. The demon ran right through it, head slicing off. Angel and Spike released the wire and it fell to the floor. Everyone stared, wide eyed. "Yo man, that was tight."

"What was that?" Buffy asked.

"Old trick." Angel explained.

"You think they'd get it by now." Spike said.

"Nah. We're too slick." The two looked around. "There went our link." Angel sighed.

"Like we had choice." The two grew silent again and looked around.

"That way." The two vampires said at the same time, pointing in opposite directions.

"Split up." Riley suggested and they nodded. "How should we do this?" Finally, Buffy spoke up.

"All right. Spike, Riley and Gunn should go. Since Angel and I are the strongest, it'll be the two of us."

"Hey! I am way stronger than Peaches."

"You wish." Angel said.

"Yeah, that's why I kidnapped you and tortured you."

"I was weak from lack of food and had been nerly fried by the sun. And the other time, two against one! Me against you, I am so the strongest."

"LIke I said, we're the strongest so we'll go together." Buffy interrupted the two.

"I'm sure that's the reason." Riley muttered, knowing she wanted to be alone with Angel. "Let's just go."

"All right. Gunn, you got my number. You find anything, call me, got it?"

"Yeah."

"We'll meet in an hour at the cemetary." The groups nodded and divided.

Buffy and Angel had been walking together for almost twenty minutes, neither of them speaking a word. The silence became to much for Angel and he spoke.

"So...why so eager to come with me?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Then why aren't you talking?"

"What? Silence suddenly not your thing?"

"Well, as far as uncomfortable goes, I guess it can't get worse."

"What is your problem anyway?"

"Me? You're the one ready to go all psycho slayer on me."

"Excuse me?"

"If looks could kill Buffy, I'd be ash."

"Well sorry I'm not enthusiastic because you've been swapping spit with Cordelia."

"You're unreal, you know that? What's so wrong with me moving on?"

"Nothing. You want to, fine. But not with Cordelia."

"Buffy, you have no say in that."

"Of all people Angel, why her?" Angel shook his head.

"Buffy, I know you and Cordelia aren't friends. I know she did and said some things in high school that hurt you-"

"Not just me Angel. Xander and Willow too. She was a bitch." Angel turned on her, fire in his eyes.

"Never call her that again, you inderstand? And if I remember correctly, Xander and Willow hurt her too. Not that I ever understood why she'd date Xander in the first place."

"Please. Like it hurt that bad. The only reason she's upset about it is because the whole getting stabbed thing."

"And you call her a bitch." Her eyes widened.

"Did you just call me a bitch?"

"What didn't understand it? Need me to repeat it? Bitch."

"Angel."

"What? You can say it but I can't?"

"I really don't like you right now."

"And I really don't give a shit." He looked at the hurt expression on her face and sighed. "Buffy. Cordelia is a changed person. Whether you believe it, whether Xander and Willow believe it, doesn't matter. She's grown so much."

"Yeah, in her chest."

"What? Jealous?"

"Hardly. That your new interest Angel?"

"It's certainly not a turn off." They walked a little more, neither sure where they were going with this walk or conversation. "Buffy, I don't want to fight with you. I don't know how I feel about Cordelia as far as romance goes. But I do know that she's my best friend and that she's always been there for me. And I need to help her."

"What has she done that's so amazing Angel? Really?"

"You really want a know? 'Cause it ain't a short story Buffy."

"In case you haven't noticed, we have time." She said, crossing her arms over her chest. This should be good.

"She makes me human Buffy."

"How?"

"She was there for me after the day that I erased. I didn't really talk to her about it, but I knew she was there."

"Big wow."

"She helped me through Doyle's death. She called me a hero. She endures the visions for my mission. She has nothing to atone for. She has no super strength, but she's out there with me every moment, helping me."

"Angel, a lot of people would do that."

"She doesn't tell me I'm not Angelus. She understands he's still there, but that I'm in control. She explains that I've changed, people change. But promised me that if I change back, she'll kill me."

"And that makes you all warm inside? A death threat? Really? 'Cause I wouldn't mind offering right about now."

"No. It's just good to know that the people who care about me wouldn't let me hurt others. They know I wouldn't want that. She forgave me for all the horrible things Angelus said, things she knew were true."

"Angelus?"

"Yeah. I got slipped a happy pill and said some really horrible things to her and Wesley. And they both forgave me. She got elbowed in the eye from Faith. Helped me get through Darla."

"Angel. That's all great and everything, but anyone could've done that. Any would for you." Angel sighed shakily.

"There's more. In May, Wes found this prophecy that said I was going to die. I didn't react like they thought I would and Wes told her it was because I was detached form life. So, she said she was gonna help me with that. Something about a puppy and an ant farm..." He trailed off and Buffy snorted at the thought of Angel caring for a puppy. "Anyway, I didn't care and it freaked them out. So, Cordy was on the Boardwalk when this demon, Vocah, comes by her and touched her hand."

"So..."

"You know the vision she had?"

"Yeah."

"Vocah made her have never ending visions. I saw her at the hospital, just laying there. Her eyes were open but unseeing. She was in so much pain and crying so much. And the screaming...I almost lost her. I felt so guilty." Angel looked at her, finally seeing sympathy in her eyes, even as she tried to hide it.

"It wasn't your fault Angel."

"She was out shopping for me. Buying me two bags worth of art supplies. Trying to help me when he got her. I saw her in the hospital bed and it broke me. I held her hand I promised I'd get her back. Told her I needed her back. And after all that, she stayed with me. She promised she'd stay with me until I reached my shanshu, which I know Giles told you about by now. She's given up so much..."

"Sounds like love to me." Buffy said saddly. Angel chuckled dryly, looking up at the sky.

"I really don't know. But she is my best friend and I do need it's more than that or not...I dont' know yet. But I need her. And the thought that that bastard has her right now is tearing me up inside."

"So, I guess we should find her."

"Easier said than done."

"Angel. I'll admit, me and Cordelia aren't friends. But I would never wish anything bad on her. And I do want to find her."

"I know."

"And...I guess if she makes you happy, I can deal."

"I don't need your blessing Buffy. But it would mean a lot."

"I guess if you love her..." Angel looked up at her in shock. She tilted her head, smirking at the look of panic on his face.

"Let's just...let's find her first." On cue, Angel's phone rang and he smiled when he saw the number. "Good ol' Wes." He answered. "Wes?"

"Angel."

"What's up?"

"I couldn't find anything Angel, I'm so sorry. I looked. We all did. Like crazy."

"I know Wes."

"Maybe Gunn'll-"

"Hold that thought Wes. Someone's on my other line, I think it's Gunn." He looked at the phone for a few seconds then spoke again, hesitantly. "Wesley, how do I go to the next line?"

"Press flash Angel." He said in a tone a parent would use to address their child.

"Oh. I knew that. Hold on, okay?"

"Yeah." He flashed over.

"Gunn?"

"Yeah."

"You find anything?"

"Naw man, we couldn't pick up nothing. And vamp boy over here's gettin' on my damn nerves. I don't know how you dealt with him back in the day, but I'm gonna stake him if he don't shut up. I take it you didn't find anything either?"

"Nope. I got Wes on the other line. Just meet me at the cemetary and we'll head back to the house, all right?"

"All right." Angel flashed back over.

"Wes?"

"Yeah?"

"We're heading back. Get that spell ready for me?"

"Done. Angel?"

"Yeah."

"We'll find her."

"I know." He hung up and him and Buffy walked to the cemetary where they met up with the other three. Angel walked ahead of everyone, Spike and Gunn behind him. Buffy smiled at Riley and held his hand. He returned the smile, but both knew they needed to talk soon.

The walk back to the house was a silent one and Angel's fear increased with every step he took. He all but broke down the door to the house, looking at Wesley expectantly.

"All set." He said. The group walked in and Angel walked to Willow, Tara and Virginia.

"We ready?"

"Almost. We ran into a problem."

"Problem. Will, tell me you can fix it. Please."

"It's not a fix kind of problem." Virginia explained.

"Why?" He asked in a panic.

"We need something representing the Master and Cordelia. We can get something of her's, but we have nothing of his. Usually a hair or finger nail or something works, but we have nothing.."

"Maybe his ashes?" Willow offered and Buffy shook her head.

"We got something." Angel said.

"No we don't Angel. We got rid of the ashes and the bone dust after I sledge hammered him."

"Just get it ready." Angel said.

"Angel. It could be dangerous-" Virginia started.

"Do it." She nodded and started moving furniture in the living room.

"What are you doing to my house?" Buffy asked Willow.

"We need room." She brought in a big purple cloth and laid it in the middle of the floor.

"Sleep over?" Xander asked and Willow glared at him. "Kidding." The cloth had a silver pentagram painted on it. "Guess not."

"Angel. We need something representing the Master and Cordelia." Angel nodded, and went up to the room. He searched and found her hair brush, pulling a few strands from it.

"From Cordy."

"Perfect. But-"

"Gunn, you still have my dagger?"

"Yeah, why?" He held out his hand and Gunn gave it to him. Angel rolled up his sleeve and went to slit his arm when Buffy's hand stopped him.

"What are you doing?"

"What's it look like?"

"Like you've lost it!"

"Angel," Willow interrupted. "I don't understand." Angel sighed and rolled his eyes in Cordelia fashion.

"Darla was my Sire. The Master was her Sire. The blood of the Sire never leaves the vampire they turn. Darla's blood runs through my veins, the Master's ran through hers. Which means..."

"The Master's blood is in your veins too." Wesley finished.

"Bingo. Now, may I proceed?" He asked Buffy, who released her hand from his. "What am I doing with this Will?"

"Oh! Yeah, um..." She grabbed a metal bowl, putting the strands of Cordelia's hair in it, and handing it to Angel. He grabbed it and slashed his wrist. Willow turned slightly pale and Buffy frowned. The blood dripped into the bowl and Willow choked out, "Um, that, that should be enough." Angel nodded and grabbed the towel Wesley brought him, wrapping it around his wrist as the bleeding stopped.

"Now what?" Spike asked. "We just sit around and watch the bowl? 'Cause I don't think it's as fun as it seems-" Angel smacked Spike on the back of the head. The vampire leered, but got the hint, mouth closing.

"Angel. Since you're the closest to Cordelia and the Master, you sit in the middle. We're going to connect with her through you, all right?"

"Like a seance?"

"Kinda. Except Cordy ain't dead. I hope." Willow muttered the last bit, recieving a scared look from Angel. She gave him a reassuring smile and continued speaking. "Wesley, Virginia and Gunn, you guys are close to Cordelia too, so you each sit at a corner." They obeyed. "Spike, if Angel's theory is right, which I'm sure it is, then you have a connection to the Master too."

"But I hate the Bastard."

"I do too. Don't change anything. You can't pick your family." Angel said.

"You sit at a corner too." She ordered. Tara sat down at the last and Willow sat across from Angel in the center.

"What are we supposed to do?" Anya asked, wanting to be doing something. "Because, if we're not needed, Xander and I could be in our bedroom right now-"

"Just sit there and be quiet. Angel, close your eyes." Willow said, handing each person at a corner a lit candle. She placed the bowl with the blood and Cordelia's hair between her and Angel. "I invoke the Lunar spirit on this night, with protection and guidance in order to let me see Cordelia Chase." She said, placing a bundle of sage in the bowl and lighting it.

The room smelled of burning sage and blood, but Willow continued, her fingers dipping into the mixture at her feet. She grimaced, but continued. Her fingers moved to Angel's temples and began to rub. He could feel the liquid on the sides of his face, refusing to move away from her hands though.

"Angel. Your eyes are getting heavy, you are going into a deep sleep." Spike snicked and Buffy punched him, but Willow and Angel were too lost in their concentration to notice. "You see in your mind Cordelia and the Master. Her mind is like an open book. Read it to us." There was a long silence and Willow looked at Angel, who's eyes were shut tightly. Willow took a deep breath, shutting her eyes again, praying this worked. Because if it didn't, they were going to have to deal with a very angry Angel. "Cordelia?" Nothing. "Cordelia. Can you hear me? Cordelia?"

"Willow?" Spike's attention, along with everyone's in the room, went to Angel. His eyes were shut, and from his mouth Cordelia's voice came.

"Cordy, is that you?"

"Oh thank God! Where are you?"

"We're at the house Cordy. Where are you?"

"I-I don't know. Where's Angel? Is he there? Can I talk to him? Tell him I'm sorry and-"

"Cordy. We don't have time. We need to know where to find you."

"I can't recognize this place. It's underground. They just grabbed me and knocked me out. I woke up here. You guys gotta find me. I don't know what he wants with me. I'm scared Will."

"We'll find it. Can you see anything that can help us?"

"I'm inside. I just know it's underground. I can't-" Her voice stopped.

"Cordy? Cordy? Cordelia!" Willow called, but didn't hear her voice. "Angel? Angel, are you back?" Nothing. "Uh oh."

Angel looked around the building. He didn't know where it was, or at least he didn't think he did. But it felt familiar. He just couldn't place it. He could feel her though. Her presence. All around him.

"Cordy? Cordy, can you hear me?"

"Angel?"

"Cordy!"

"Oh, Angel! I knew you'd find me! I knew you would and...and you're not really here are you?"

"I think it's Willow's spell. I can't see you."

"I can't see you either Angel. I think you're in my head."

"No wonder there's so much room."

"Hey! Angel, you have to help me. I'm scared. I just, I want to see everyone again. I don't want to die Angel and I don't know what he's going to do with me. I want to see you again." She said, voice cracking.

"I'm going to find you Cor. I swear it. Just hold on, okay?"

"I'm sorry Angel. I shouldn't have pulled away. I shouldn't have left you-"

"It's all right."

"He said you wouldn't come. You didn't care. I said he was wrong, but then you weren't here."

"Shhh. It's okay. I'm gonna fix this baby. Just hold on."

"What do you mean, 'Uh oh?'" Gunn said, voice menacing. He was missing one friend, he didn't want to lose another.

"Um. He's gone."

"When you say gone, you mean..." Wesley joined in now.

"I mean I can't get a hold of him."

"Well, I'm not complaining." Spike said, getting glares sent his way. "What? Xander makes a joke and all is well. Me? I get a bunch of angry people from the Brady Bunch." They all turned back to Angel when they heard him mutter something.

"Angel?" Willow tried again. He didn't respond. She watched him intently, his eyes shifting back and forth under his eyes, before they opened. She gasped in surprise and jumped. "Angel. You're back. I-what's wrong?"

"We need to find her. Now."

"We have nothing Angel. She didn't know where she was."

"I talked to her."

"How? That's not possible."

"Don't know. I was in her head. I saw where she was. She's scared. Really scared. I have to get to her."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. I recognized it. I was there before. As Angelus. I..." He turned to look at his grandchilde. "Spike!"

"I didn't say nothing. I wanted you back just like everyone else."

"No. And quit lying. Remember when you were all sit-and-spin?" Spike growled and Angel smirked.

"Before or after I got your girlfriend to send you to hell."

"Before. You, me and Dru, we went...we went somewhere. Underground, pillars, um...you wanted to stake me with a piece of a chair because I was flirting with Drusilla...

"The church?"

"That's it. We got our place. Let's go." He said, grabbing his jacket and walking towards the door. Spike next to him. Wesley, Virginia and Gunn were behind him, and everyone else behind them as they headed out.

"Where are we going?" Riley asked.

"We can get down there through the mansion." Angel said as they continued to walk. They reached it and Angel frowned, memories flooding back to him. But he couldn't think about them now. he had to save Cordelia.

"Damn." Gunn said. "You used to live here? What is it with you and big places man?"

"Lots of room. Quiet."

"Not with Cordy, it ain't.

"And how we going to get in there?" Now Xander spoke. Angel walked up to the doors, everyone following. "We don't even have a key." Angel rolled his eyes and with a hard kick, knocked the door in. "Oh. Well sure, if you want to do it like that." Spike and Angel led the way through their old home and down until they were under the building, making their way to the old church.

Cordelia looked at the Master, who was staring intently at her. She was tied to a chair with rope so tight it tore her skin evertime she moved.

"You got an issue?" He grinned at her response. "Take a picture fang face."

"He won't come for you."

"Oh yeah. 'Cause I'm gonna listen to a crazy vampire who's only entertainment is to play with people's minds. I don't think so."

"Angelus has never had loyalty. What makes you think you're any different?"

"He cares about me."

"He doesn't love you." The words stabbed through her. "You know he doesn't. I can see it in your eyes."

"I'm his best friend." She said, resisting the urge to cry. It hurt so bad to hear it, even if she already knew.

"But he doesn't love you."

"What do you know about love?"

"He loves the slayer." Cordelia's attention was on him as she glared. "If it would've been her, he would've found her by now."

"Stop it."

"He loves her."

"Shut up."

"Always will. You know that."

"Shut the hell up!" She bit her lip, trying not to cry.

"It's not your fault. You're just not strong enough."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Now Darla. She was strong."

"Yeah. So stong she let Angel kill her. Twice."

"And the Slayer. Well, that goes without saying. But you? What strength do you posses? How can you possibly help him?"

"He needs me."

"He needs your visions."

"He needs me. Otherwise he never would've hired me."

"Out of pity. Nothing more. Then you got the visions and he was stuck with you. He doesn't need you. You're nothing but a burden to him. Obviously. Having to save you from kidnappings and demon pregnancies." She looked up at him, the tears bright in her eyes now. "Yes. I know about that. Do you honestly think he would keep you around if you didn't have the sight anymore?" She didn't answer. "I didn't think so. He could do without you."

"He, he cares about me."

"Don't lie to yourself. You're not blind. You see the way he looks at her. Looks he never gives you." She sniffed and looked down. "He'll never love you. You know as soon as he reaches his humanity, he'll leave you."

"He...he..."

"You're too weak."

"I'm, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. You're weak." She stared at him, his eyes pulling at her and she couldn't look away. "You're weak."

"I'm weak."

"You're weak. He needs someone with strength. Strength you can never posses. He doesn't love you."

"He doesn't love me. He doesn't love me. He wants her...not me. He'll leave me." She let her head fall down and started to cry hysterically. "Angel doesn't love me..."

The Master smiled to himself and picked up the telephone. Horrible contraption it truely was. He dialed the number written down and waited.

"Hello?" Lindsay answered.

"It is done."

"You broke her?" He asked, amazed. Lilah perked up and moved to the phone.

"Wasn't too difficult. He was her weakness."

"I knew it. How'd you do it?"

"Just convinced her he didn't love her and would leave her."

"Are you sure?" He aimed the phone in the direction of the crying young woman, her sobs echoing in the abandoned room. Then got back on the line.

"Did you not hear her?"

"Excellent. We'll be there as soon as we can." He hung up and returned to where he was sitting before, waiting for Angel to return. He looked at Cordelia. Pity. She would've made a beautiful vampire.

The group stopped just outside the church.

"You know they're probably expecting us, right?" Spike asked Angel.

"Yup."

"You know the chances of us surviving this?"

"Not good."

"Just as long as you know."

"I do." He strained his hearing, only one heart beat coming to his ears. "Vampires."

"I count twelve." They concentrated harder.

"Fifteen."

"Demons?"

"None."

"All right." Angel concentrated harder and heard Cordelia crying. They weren't silent sobs either and his heart broke.

"Let's go." Angel said and they charged, barging through the door into the now vacant church.

Chapter Thirteen: Show Down. Sunnydale, Ca

The group burst through the doors with enough force to knock them off the hinges. Fifteen vampires attacked at once and they started to fight.

"Cover me." Angel yelled to Spike, who immediately did as he was told. Angel spotted Cordelia in the chair and made his way to her. "Don't worry Cordy. I'm gonna get you out of here." She didn't answer him, her crying loud and coming out in uncontrollable sobs.

He saw the gashes on her wrists from the ropes and grimaced, taking out his knife and cutting at the ropes. He untied her and kneeled in front of her.

"Cordy?" Nothing. "Cordy?" She kept crying, staring at the floor. He put a hand on each of her shoulders and she cried out.

"Don't touch me!"

"Cordelia!"

"Let go! Let go of me!"

"Cordelia! It's me! It's Angel!" She looked up at him.

"Angel?"

"Yeah. It's me." He let a small smile appear on his face and ran a finger along her face. The smile dissappeared when she pushed his hand away and stared at him with the saddest expression Angel had ever seen.

"Don't touch me."

"Cordelia."

"No, Angel. Go..." She said, crying, pushing herself away from him.

"Cor." She sat on the floor, holding her knees to her body, rocking back and forth.

"You don't love me. You don't want me."

"What?"

"Never me. Always her. Her, her, her. Why?"

"Who?"

"Why...why not me?"

"Cordy..." It was no use though. She broke out into another fit of tears, muttering incoherent words to herself and Angel growled so loud it echoed.

"That intended for me, Angelus?" He turned to face the Master.

"You." He growled. "What did you do to her?"

"Me? You did this to her Angelus, not me."

"How did I do that to her?"

"You're the one who doesn't love her." He looked to Cordelia. "She was so convinced your feelings for her were strong. But inside, deep inside, a part of her had so much doubt in your feelings for her...it wasn't that hard to convince her you would leave her."

"Why? You want me? Fine. Why her? What did she do?" The Master shook his head and smiled a wicked grin, features becoming more contorted.

"I'm evil." He smiled. "And you're dead." The Master's large hand wrapped around Angel's throat, long, browned nails dipping into his skin. He hissed and the older vampire smiled.

"I don't breathe you idiot." Angel said and the Master smiled, tilting his head towards Cordelia.

"She's gonna be a fun one Angelus." Angel went to move and felt his head bang against the cool cement wall. He blinked a few times, things becoming blurry.

Buffy saw and tried to make her way towards him, but was attacked by two more vampires. Angel looked around. Everyone was busy with their own fight. His eyes fell upon the young brunette in the corner with mascara tracks down her cheeks.

"Cordelia!" He yelled and she didn't look at him, just kept crying those heart wrenching tears that made him want to hold her and kiss each salty drop away. "Cordelia, please!"

"Not me. Never me. Always her."

"Cordy, come on."

"Always her. Why? Why her? Why not me? Never me."

"Cordelia! Cordelia, please! I need you!"

"Angel?"

"Cor!" She turned and saw him in the clutches of the Master, who was watching the interaction with an entertained look on his face. A dagger floated to him and it was placed in the hand that wasn't strangling Angel. "Please, I need you."

"No. Not me Angel. You need Buffy, not me."

"That's not true!"

"She's strong. I can't help you Angel. I'm weak."

"That's not true Cordy! You're strong!"

"I'm not. I'm weak."

"I need you."

"You don't. You need her. Not me...never me..." She started to cry again and Angel lost it when he heard the Master's chuckling.

"She's gone to you Angelus. She knows you have no loyalty to her. She can't help you."

"Dammit Cordelia! Knock it off!" Her head snapped up and in his direction, but wouldn't meet his eyes. "You're not weak Cordelia!"

"I am."

"No, you're not! You're strong. You're the strongest woman I've ever met! You're brave! You're incredible! And the woman I know, the woman I love," her eyes shot up and met his for the first time, "wouldn't let this happen! Now get off your ass, quit feeling sorry for yourself, and do it!" Angel prayed it would work. That she wouldn't just start crying again, that he didn't go too far.

"Enough of this." The Master said, holding the knife to Angel's throat, cutting a thin layer of skin, blood appearing. "I'm going to enjoy this Angelus."

"Cordy-" He couldn't turn his head to see where she was without the blade going deeper. He hissed as it was pressed further into his skin.

"She can't hear you."

"Do it." Angel said. "Do it already! Get it over with! All the way through, come on! Hit bone, let's go!" The Master smiled.

"Good bye Angelus." Angel closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. When it didn't come and he heard a loud crash he opened his eyes to see Cordelia, holding a brick in her hand. She kicked the Master hard in the torso with her heel. He groaned and rolled onto his side.

"Quit feeling sorry for myself?" She asked Angel incredulously. "You've got to be kidding."

"Cordelia!" Angel yelled. The Master's legs wrapped around her's and she was knocked to the floor, head hitting the floor. Angel moved and picked up the Master by his throat now and gave him a hard punch to the face, knocking him into the wall. The group made their way over by now, vampires killed. Angel's fist continued to meet the Master's face, his hand fisted on the older vamp's face, holding him in place.

"Angel!" Cordelia yelled and Angel saw a splintered two by four coming towards him in the reflection of the Master's eyes. He moved to his right and clutched the Master towards them. The wood slammed through them both, hitting the Master's heart. He looked at Angel, turned to dust and fell to the floor. Angel yanked the wood out of himself and fell to the floor in pain.

Cordelia moved to Angel and craddled him in his arms, his head in her laps. She stroked his face and smiled down at him.

"Baby, what is it with you and stab wounds?" She asked, voice shakey.

"Barbie, he just does it to catch a little touch and feel."

"Oh yeah. I get stabbed...just so Cordelia will touch me. How pathetic do you people think I am?" he asked, voice wavering from pain.

"Very." Cordelia said. "Come one. We should get you to the house and patch you up."

"No. Not yet. Just give me a minute." Buffy went over to his other side.

"Come on Angel. Let's get you back to my place." She grabbed his hand and yanked him up. He groaned in pain and leered at her, Cordelia coming to him side.

"You suck." She looked at him surprised, eye brows raised. He wrapped an arm around each woman, letting them help him. Buffy watched him and Cordelia exchange a look and tried her hardest not to cry. Not now. His arm was wrapped tighter around Cordelia than her and Cordy's hand was on his chest for extra support. She sighed. She could do this.

Back at the house, the group was meant with a frantic Joyce and Dawn. The teenager's eyes widened when she saw Angel.

"Oh my God! Angel! Are you okay? Of course your not okay, duh. But you're alive, well, sorta but. Well, you're not gonna go dust on us, right?" He smiled as he eased himself onto the couch. Cordelia, undoing his shirt, kneeling between his legs as she began to patch him up. His smile widened.

"Never been better Dawny. Never been better." He said, giving Cordelia a lustful look. She blushed and returned to patching him up.

"Like I said..." Gunn said with a smirk and Angel glared.

"Don't say it." He warned.

"Yeah. Whatever man. But, it's officially Christmas and, I don't know about all of you but, I'm ready to party." He said, walking over to the raido and turning it on. He turned to Willow and Tara. "Now. Which one of you lovely ladies wants a piece of me?" He asked with a smile. They returned it and each grabbed one of his hands. He smiled, more than happy to comply. Anya dragged Xander into the middle of the living room which was reserved as the dance area, and Virginia dragged Wesley to the same place. Cordelia ran a soft hand under Angel's shirt and he smiled at her.

"If you want me to touch you Angel, you should've asked." He smiled.

"Want to go outside?" She nodded and helped him up and outside. Buffy watched them go with a heavy heart and tears in her eyes.

"You okay? She turned to see Riley standing there, looking very uncomfortable. She couldn't blame him.

"No." She told him honestly and he frowned. "Not yet. I will be but, it's going to take a while. I don't know how long that is, but it's not going to be easy for me. Angel was the one constant man in my life, outside of Giles and Xander. I knew it probably would never happen, but a part of me always pictured him coming in one of these days and sweeping me off my feet. I know it's childish and impossible, but I still thought it could happen. Now I have to face the reality that it's not going to happen and it hurts." She turned to her quiet boyfriend. "But I will get over it. It's just going to take a while. And if you don't want to wait for me, I'll understand."

"Buffy, I can wait as long as you want me to." She smiled at him. The first real smile she had graced him with since Angel and his friends arrived.

"Do you want to dance?" He returned the smile.

"I'd love to."

Outside, Angel and Cordelia sat on the chair swing they had occupied only hours ago. It was amazing how much things had changed.

"Angel?"

"Mmm?" He asked, content with just sitting there, rocking back and forth with her in his arms.

"Did you mean what you said? About how you loved me?"

"I meant every word Cordy."

"But how?"

"What?"

"Like...do you love me like your best friend. Or do you love me like, love me love me. Like I love you."

"Cordy. I love you like that and as so much more. You, Gunn and Wesley are my life, my family. You're my life. And I love you so much for everything you've given me. I'm just sorry it took me this long to figure it out."

"Yeah, well, you are a little slow on the pick up sometimes."

"Me? I all but had to spell it out for you."

"Shut up."

"I'm just saying..."

"Kiss me?" He smiled down at her.

"Can do." And he let his lips meet hers again, enjoying their soft feel.

Inside, Dawn and Spike watched from the window.

"They making out?" The teenager asked excitedly.

"Yeah. Couldn't pry them away from each other with a bloody crow bar." She smiled.

"There's so cute together."

"Mmm-hmm." Spike looked to the dance floor and saw Buffy dancing with Riley, his eyes falling back to the window. A vampire couldn't catch a break in this damn town. He needed out. He couldn't take another week with these people, yet alone another year or two. He turned to Dawn. "Wanna dance Niblet?" The teenager beemed and grabbed his hand, dragging him along with her.

Angel and Cordelia spent the rest of the night exploring various kissing techniques until the sun was about to rise. They came inside and Angel laid down on the couch, bringing Cordelia on top of him, where they both fell asleep, her face using his chest as a pillow.

* * *

The Fang Gang packed their stuff up and was ready to leave. Angel pulled Buffy aside for a more personal good bye before he left.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"So, I guess this is it, huh?"

"Yeah. I guess so. Listen Buffy, if you ever need anything, any of you, just give me a call. I won't hesitate to come."

"With her?"

"Yes. With everyone. Especially Cordelia."

"I still don't understand it."

"I don't either Buffy. But that's what love is, right?"

"So, it is love?"

"Yeah. It is. But it just took me a while to figure it out."

"Well, I have to tell you, I really didn't expect this when I found out you were coming up this weekend."

"I didn't either Buffy. But it's for the best. And I know it don't seem like it now, but you'll thank me for this."

"I really don't see that happening Angel."

"It will, just give it time. You have a guy out there who can give you everything you want. Everything I can't. Who loves you completely."

"I'd trade all of it in a second if I thought it would bring you back to me."

"Then you'd be trading a perfect life for nothing. We're done Buffy. I'm always here for you, but I can't be here for you like that." She nodded and crossed her arms over her chest.

"So I guess this is it, huh?" She repeated.

"Yeah. It is."

"I'll see you around Angel." He looked at her, looked deep into her eyes, her soul. Her words held hope of a future with him she couldn't have. He didn't intend on hurting her, but he had to cut the string of their past relationship she was still clutching on to.

"Good bye Buffy." He said in a flat tone and in those words, she knew that was it. It was truely over between them. She saw that love she used to see in his eyes. But not for her. It was for another. Cordelia Chase. She couldn't understand it. She only hoped things would get easier as time went by. And she hoped they really could become friends.

Angel said good bye to everyone again, thanking Joyce for her hospitality.

"Angel?"

"Yeah Dawny?"

"You think, maybe next time I visit my dad in LA, I could drop by the hotel and see you?"

"As long as your mom says it's okay, you're always welcome." She smiled and gave him a hug.

"Angel! Move your entrails!" Cordelia yelled form the passanger's seat of his car. He smiled goofily at them. A look Buffy had never seen on his face before. She wished she could see it addressed at her.

"I'll see you guys later." He said, and got in his car. Gunn in his truck, Wesley and Virginia in her car. Angel started the engine, as did the other two, and they were ready to take off.

"Peaches! Wait!" Angel turned just in time to see Spike hop into the back seat of his car.

"What the...?"

"Got an extra room for your favorite relative?" He asked with a smirk. Angel looked at Cordelia and shrugged, turning back to Spike.

"I guess."

"Good. So long Sunnyhell, hello Los Angeles." He said, smiling at the shocked and confused looks of the Scoobies.

"Let's go." Angel said and, with one final wave, kissed Sunnydale good bye for good.

* * *

An hour later, Spike feigning sleep, Cordelia leaned into Angel as he drove. One of his arms was wrapped around her, the other on the wheel.

"It's not going to be easy, you know?"

"I know. But love never is Angel."

"But even more so. We're not normal people Cordelia. Hell, I'm not even a person. This is going to be hard."

"I know Angel. But I think it's worth it, don't you?" He smiled.

"How did I not notice these feeling for you all this time?"

"You're kinda dense like that. Just another reason why I love you." They drove in silence for a while and Spike opened an eye, watching them. "You think we'll make it?"

"I know we will Baby. I know it." She snuggled in closer to him.

"Promise me."

"I promise you." He leaned down for a brief kiss, then turned his attention back to the road. She yawned and gave into sleep. He smiled and kissed her hair, driving home.

Spike smiled. If there were any two people who could make it despite all the odds, Angel and Cordelia could. He smiled. He could really get used to these people.

END