anneboxersorbriefs11

"Boxers or Briefs?"
Anne

NC-17 (sexuality, violence)

Part Two
(Chapters 12-Epilogue)

12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Epilogue |

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Chapter Twelve

Cordelia checked their e-mail when they got to the room. She clicked on to the new message from Wesley. "Two of the couples on the list we sent live in LA. Wesley and Gunn have gone to talk to them. And he also forwarded some information about the symbol."

Angel got on the bed, sitting behind Cordelia to read over her shoulder. Cordelia paused in her reading, as she felt his weight on the bed. She took a deep breath and counted to 10 to get the tingling in her stomach under control. "The symbol refers to an ancient sect of 'Eros' worshippers, the greek god of love and desire."

Angel tried to concentrate on the screen, but found the view of Cordelia's neck too appealing and if he slid his eyes just a bit lower he could see the hint of her breast through the gap in her robe. Angel wondered if his seer would scream 'personal bubble' if he just rested his chin on her shoulder and continued to gaze at the soft curves peeking through her robe. The vampire took a deep breath, capturing her scent. He wondered what she would do if he just kissed and licked at the delicate exposed skin, tasting her flavor.

Cordelia shivered as Angel's unneeded breath tickled at the nape of her neck. Part of her wanted to lean into the vampire's broad chest and force him to acknowledge her love for him. The other part just wanted to run away and not take the risk of finding out if he was responsive or unresponsive to her feelings. Cordelia decided on a compromise; she sat perfectly still and continued to read out loud.

Angel felt Cordelia shiver, then stiffen. He moved away slightly deciding that he was just torturing himself with the unanswerable questions.

"The priests of the order were tattooed with this symbol. The priest would conduct a yearly ceremony where he would offer a sacrifice to Eros."

"A sacrifice?"

"Yeah, but not your standard stab and kill type, more like a sanctified, blessed live sex show. A young couple with pure hearts, pure love, etc. Do It, under the watchful eyes of the priest and worshippers. The act of 'love' is the offering to their god. And if the couple are truly soul mates and blah, blah, blah, the god will bless the followers with continued happiness, love, wealth, you know what everyone wants. That doesn't sound at all evil does it? Sure, it smacks of major peeping tom-ism and well, ewww, but it's not evil. Why would the PTB want us to stop an ancient type love-in?"

"I don't know?" Angel agreed.

"Angel, did you get a good look at Elliot's tattoo?"

"Pretty good."

Cordelia scrolled back to the picture of the symbol. "Angel, in my vision the symbol was not quite the same as this. I mean, it was off a bit, maybe uupside down, the lines a little darker."

"I don't know about upside-down, but the markings on Elliot were thicker than this." Angel gestured to the screen. "Cordelia ask Wesley to search for variations of the symbol. There may be offshoots of the original sect. And send Elliot's name. Do we know anything more about him?"

Cordelia shook her head. "Check the brochure, most places like this brag about their 'highly educated and esteemed' feel good cast."

Angel got off the bed to get the brochure. "Not much, just some flowerly filler. He doesn't even have a last name," the vampire said critically.

"Geez, Angel, just who does he think he is Cher, Madonna, You." Cordelia rolled her eyes at the vampire. "Let me have it. I will type it in. Maybe Wesley can use something in it."

Angel handed the pamphlet to Cordelia wishing that it wasn't beneath his dignity to stick his tongue out at the beautiful smart-ass girl.

They both started at hearing a knock on the door to the suite. Angel motioned for Cordelia to stay where she was.

"Angel," greeted Elliot.

"I didn't hear any bells," commented Angel.

"No, the next formal session hasn't started yet. No, I wanted to take this time to talk to each participant of the program seperately. I will be talking to everybody individually during the next two days. Is the lovely Cordelia here or has she gone out for some fresh air?"

"I'm here." Cordelia came out of the bedroom. Angel shot her a scolding look. That was another thing he should have added to his list, Cordelia almost never listened to him.

"Good, well, I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you before the next session."

"More questions on my likes and dislikes?" asked Cordelia moving up close to Angel's side.

"More questions, but of another nature. Angel, if you don't mind, I would like to talk to Cordelia. Perhaps, you could leave us. Or not," Elliot added as he saw that Angel had not left the young girl's side or acknowledged his request in any manner. "Perhaps you could just wait in the next room."

"Angel," Cordelia whispered.

Angel reluctantly nodded and moved into the bedroom and closed the door. Once in the room, he pulled up a chair by the door after retrieving his sword from the wardrope. Angel sat and listened.

"Your questions?" Cordelia motioned to Elliot to set in the chair closer to the bedroom door.

"I am puzzled, Cordelia. Why are you and Angel here? I sense that the bond of love, respect and passion is strong between you two. This program is for those who have a need to rebuild their failing relationships. It is designed for those that need to rediscover each other, not for those that are secure in their love."

"Secure in our love, our passion, us?" Cordelia exclaimed wide-eyed at the guru's assumption. "I think that your senses are out of whack."

"Really, why?"

Cordelia paused. She couldn't tell him that he was wrong because they didn't love each other, or more accurately, Cordelia was madly in love with the vampire and he didn't love her. Or that her overwhelming feelings of desire for Angel would never be reciprocated. Hell, even if under some major weirdness, Angel did love her, her desire would still be unrecipricated because of the stupid curse. Secure in Angel's love and passion for her? Ha! The new age possible victim or bad guy, couldn't be further from the truth. But she couldn't tell him that.

"Angel and I have been going through a lot of stuff, stuff that put a strain on our relationship. And we have been fighting, fighting a lot. But we realized that we didn't want to loose our relationship, so here we are." That was not far from the truth, she thought, remembering all the trouble that the bitch Darla had caused and the subsequent strain it had but on her relationship with Angel, as well as his relationship with Wesley and Gunn. Thank god, Angel had come back to his senses and realized that he needed them.

Cordelia smiled at Elliot, hoping that she had explained enough. She must have because the older guru nodded in acceptance of her answer.

"Well, the Eros Center can help you, though, I think you two would have found your own way back together on your own. In fact, I imagine you already have. But if it is just a matter of cementing your bond and teaching to you to remember why you can not let external pressures damage what you have, then you will find benefit in our sessions."

"Is that all?" Cordelia asked hopefully.

"No, you said something downstairs that intrigued me, you said that you wished that Angel believed in his goodness, as much as you did."

"Yeah," she said cautiously.

"Cordelia would you risk your life for Angel?"

"Uh," she gulped at the sudden change of subject. Cordelia looked nervously from Elliot, the bedroom door, then back to Elliot. But the man had not moved a muscle in the chair.

"Cordelia, would you?"

"Yes."

"You are sure about that," he asked again.

"Yes."

"And would he risk his life for you?"

"Yes," Cordelia said immediately, picturing all the times that Angel had saved her since he had known her.

"Cordelia do you believe that everybody has a soul?"

Cordelia looked again nervously at the bedroom door. Cordelia was sure that she did not like this line of questioning. Cordelia moved her hand discreetly down into the cushions of the couch. Her fingers stilled as she felt one of the wooden stakes she had hidden around the room.

"Cordelia does the concept of souls make you uncomfortable?"

"No," she answered, except of course if we are talking about Angel loosing his, she thought.

"So, you do believe?"

"Yes."

The man nodded seemingly pleased with her answer. "We here at the Eros Center believe that the soul holds the true power of the individual. It allows the person to live and to love. Do you believe that?"

"Yes." Angel's soul was definite proof of that.

"Would you agree that the gift of someone's soul to another is the greatest gift there is? That to be willing to give up your soul for the one you love is the ultimate sacrifice? Would you be willing to sacrifice your soul for Angel?"

"Are you asking me to?" She asked calmly as she gripped the stake tighter in her hand.

"No, of course not, I am just asking if you are willing to."

"Yes," Cordelia answered without hesitation.

Both Cordelia and Elliot started as a crashing sound came from the bedroom.

"Angel is clumsy," Cordelia responded to Elliot's questioning look.

Elliot nodded. "Cordelia, do you believe that Angel would risk his soul for you?"

Again without hesitation she answered, only this time her answer was a firm no. Again, they heard a loud noise from the closed room.

"He is very clumsy," Cordelia shrugged in explanation.

"Cordelia, you honestly believe that Angel wouldn't sacrifice his soul for you?"

"I know he wouldn't, he can't?"

"And that doesn't bother you?"

"Bother me?" Cordelia asked genuinely confused by the question.

"That he doesn't love you enough to make the ultimate sacrifice, where as you love him enough to."

"Love isn't the issue, the issue is Angel's soul. Angel cannot loose his soul! It is too important to...it's just too important. Angel can never loose his soul and he won't not while I am alive to protect it."

"Thank you, Cordelia."

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Chapter Thirteen

Cordelia watched the gray haired man leave the room. She hadn't liked Elliot's questions at all. Cordelia just moved the tall thin guru from the possible victim category to the probable sinister villian category.

"Angel, I think Elliot the enlightened one, is definite bad news material. Did you hear his questions? Of course you did. What was the clumsy bit about anyway? Angel?" She called to the back of the frozen vampire. Cordelia walked up to him. "Angel?" The vampire still hadn't moved.

Cordelia glanced at the room. "Angel?" she called this time in concern as she noticed that the top of one of the dresser's had been pulverized. "Angel?" Cordelia lightly touched his shoulder.

At Cordelia's touch the vampire sprung to life, swinging around grasping Cordelia's wrist in an iron fist, his handsome face expressionless, except for his eyes. His dark brown eyes blazed in fierce anger. "Angel, let me go," she whispered as she felt the vampire's rage.

Angel wasn't hurting her but she couldn't break the steel grip that encased her wrist. Angel retained his clasp pulling her closer until their bodies touched, his eyes never leaving her questioning ones. Cordelia wasn't scared, but she was concerned.

"Angel? What's wrong?" she said softly bringing her other hand up to his chest. Angel continued to stare at her in silence, so she waited. Slowly, Cordelia felt his rage lessen and the fury in Angel's eyes turn to...fear, she realized.

Finally, Angel spoke his voice a low growl. "You will never under any circumstances, ever put my life or my soul before your own. Understand? Never."

"Angel," she started to reason.

"No," the vampire growled. "Promise me."

Cordelia sighed, she should have realized that he would react like this, sometimes the vampire was just to noble for his own good.

Cordelia slowly nodded. "Promise."

Cordelia hated to make promises that she knew she wouldn't keep, in fact she never did. Except to Angel. So, like her false promise that she could stake Angelus if he ever returned, Cordelia promised the vampire that she would never sacrifice her life or her soul for him. Angel continued to stare at his seer trying to decide if she was telling the truth.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a loud chiming sound. Angel released the young girl.

"Saved by the bell," she grumbled to herself.

"Cordelia, I mean it."

"So, did I 'grr' guy," she lied rubbing her freed wrist.

Angel's hand went to her wrist this time holding the wrist gently and caressing it with his other hand. "Oh god, Cordy, I didn't hurt you, did I?" Angel fearfully examined the wrist for any redness or bruising.

"No, of course not." Cordelia thrust up the hand that he held to his concerned gaze. "Now come on, let me go," she gently chided. "I want to e-mail Wesley to concentrate on Elliot. I definitely didn't like the questions he asked about your soul."

"Cordelia, he was asking about yours, too."

"Whatever."

"Cordelia." Angel glared at the girl retaining his hold on her wrist.

"I said I promised, didn't I? Now, let me send the message to Wesley, geez," she huffed.

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Elliot and Gerard were sitting in Elliot's office. "Well?" asked Gerard.

"Cordelia and Angel are the Chosen."

"They are a lovely couple."

"Yes, 'HE' will be pleased by their beauty and bond. Their love and need for each other is strong. I believe that even without the spell they are soul mates," commented Elliot.

"But, you are going to do the spell?"

"Of course, the need is too great to risk, their souls will be bound." Elliot reassured the little man.

"Have you decided which will be the sacrifice? Angel seems to have a certain strength about him."

"Yes, that young man does seem to exude power, doesn't he? Yet, I believe he is the weak link in their relationship. Initially, when observing the young couple, I too assumed that the girl was the weakest. Cordelia's love and need for Angel are obvious to the trained eye. One knows that without a doubt, she would be devasted if he was gone, possibly she would never fully recover, for I do believe they are soul mates, yet..."

"Yet?" questioned Gerard.

"It's a matter of balance. They both love and need each other. But Cordelia needs Angel, because she loves him. Whereas, Angel needs her even more that he loves her, which I sense means Angel needs her to live. Angel and Cordelia said that they don't know when they fell in love. But I am sure that Angel knows when he realized that he needed Cordelia and I wager it was long before he ever acknowledged his love for her. The young girl has no doubts in Angel's goodness or the importance of his soul. It is the young girl's certainity that allows Angel to believe in himself..."

"So, if Cordelia dies, Angel will be destroyed."

"Yes, his soul will be in such agony that he would not recover. No, Angel shall be the sacrifice. 'HE' will accept Cordelia's death as a proper tribute, but it will be the slow destruction and torture of Angel's soul which 'HE' will crave and for which we will be rewarded."

Elliot looked at the clock on the wall. "It is time."

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Chapter Fourteen

Gerard stopped Cordelia and Angel from going into the main room. "Cordelia, Angel, this way please."

"I thought we were suppose to go in." Angel automatically moved in between the small man and Cordelia.

"Well, actually that was just where everyone was supposed to meet to get the next set of instructions. You both are late."

"Sorry, my fault," Cordelia said.

"Well, you are here now, that's all that matters. This is the mediation room. Your next session will occur in here."

Gerard motioned them into a small room. The room was dimly lit, in one corner there was a Japanese rock garden equipped with sand, Bosjun trees, and a soft rippling water fountain. In the middle of the room was a massage table; by the table on a counter were various lotions and oils. Large, lush pillows were scattered on the thickly carpeted floor. Two large speakers blended into the pale green colored walls. And up against the far wall there was a series of shelves filled completely with various sized candles.

"Too get the optimum benefit out of the next session you must first relax, so we want you to sit here and 'veg' as the young kids say." Gerard walked towards the candles with a long match in hand.

"Whoa, Gerard, those candles wouldn't be your version of aroma therapy, would they?" Cordelia asked.

"Why, yes. Cordelia, have you enjoyed this type of mediation before?"

"Uh, yeah. But can we skip it? Angel is allergic." Angel glanced questioningly at Cordelia.

"You thought my perfume was distracting," she whispered to the vampire. "Your overly sensitive vamp noggin will probably be smelling rosemary and lilacs for the next week."

Cordelia rolled her eyes at Angel's still clueless expression. "Remember, that little itty-bitty cinnamon scented candle I lit in the lobby at Christmas?" she whispered.

Angel winced at the memory. At first it hadn't been that bad, pleasant even when the candle was in the lobby and he had been upstairs behind the closed door of his suite. But later when he went downstairs, all Angel could smell was cinnamon. It quickly became overwhelming obnoxious. For the next few days everything he came across, even the slime demon smelled of the irrating spice.

"Well, think lots of them in a smaller place," Cordelia whispered in response to his grimace.

"I am allergic," Angel said to Elliot. "Definitely allergic."

"Oh dear, well, then no aroma therapy, just soothing sounds of the sea and soft lights. Relax, you will recieve the next set of instructions over the speakers in 15 minutes." Gerard went to leave stopping at the door to light the two waist high freestanding thick candles.

"Candles, Gerard," Cordelia reminded.

"These are unscented, dear, just some added atmosphere." Cordelia nodded.

Once the candles were lit, Gerard left the tranquil room. As soon as the door was closed, soft sounds of waves crashing on the sand filtered into the room. Angel went to the door and opened it. "We are not locked in."

"Other than Elliot's overly spookish interest in our souls, nothing wicked our way has come. So, I say we relax." Cordelia flopped down on one of the floor cushions.

Angel's eyes watched Cordelia's fluid movement. God, she was gorgeous, he thought as he drank in the vision of her lying against the pillow. Her rich dark hair and the white of the robe were in direct contrast to the jade coushion. Cordelia's long beautifully formed bare legs spilled out from the hem of her robe. Her knees were slightly bent causing the split in the garment to open wider allowing his eyes access to the smooth curve of one thigh. The V neckline of the robe exposed all of Cordelia's delicate neck, the silky skin surrounding her collarbone and the hint of cleavage. Just a tug on the belt, Angel inwardly groaned, and his eyes could feast on all of her glorious body.

"Angel, come on, relax," Cordelia called flipping over on the floor to her stomach hugging the large pillow to her chest, to get a better look at the vampire. Relax. Not damn likely, Angel thought as his body responded to the sight of his seer.

Cordelia visually took in the full length of the tall vampire hesitating before her. The white robe did nothing to dimish the powerful essence of the dark handsome vampire. When Cordelia first knew Angel, she would have sworn that it was the vampire's all black attire and the billowing coat that gave him that 'oh' so dangerous appearance. But it wasn't the clothes, not really. The clothes only made him seem more detached, myterious. The potential of danger as well as his awesome strength flowed directly from his very being. Angel radiated power, compassion and confidence.

Cordelia smiled. Confidence, she thought, he always gave her confidence when she saw him, when Cordelia was with him, she knew she would be safe. Cordelia smiled wider.

"What's so amusing?" Angel smiled.

"Nothing, I am still getting used to you in the robe."

"What, you still think I look silly?"

"I never said you looked silly, you just don't look all broody and mysterious."

"And not sexy?"

"Did I say that? Actually, you look more cuddly, than anything." Cordelia giggled at Angel's aghast expression.

"Cuddly? Vampires don't look cuddly."

"Ummp, well, 'grr' guy, you do." She laughed. "A big old, really old, cuddly bear with fangs."

"Scoot over." Angel smiled sitting down on the other pillow. The need to be near Cordelia was like a drug, especially when she was smiling. Angel just knew that if he was near her long enough, some of Cordelia's joy of life would infect him.

"A lot like the big old stuffed bear, I had when I was a little girl."

"And tell me Cordelia, did you cuddle with the big old bear?"

"Ever night, until its arms fell off."

"I promise that my arms won't fall off."

"I don't know, I cuddle pretty tightly." Cordelia didn't understand it, but she felt comfortable, truly comfortable teasing the vampire. It wasn't has if she never felt at ease in his presence before, but somehow now it seemed different. Angel seemed different, he was actually teasing her back.

"It might be worth..." Angel stopped as a sudden unfamiliar warmness shot through his body. The vampire jumped up.

"Angel, what is it?"

"Sh," he said in game face. Angel shook his head. "I smelled something sweet, like some sort of incense."

"Angel, look at the candles." The yellow flames had turned blue making black smoke, then went out. Angel went to the door; nobody was in the hall.

"Cordelia, do you feel alright."

"Yeah, actually I have never felt better. Why, do you not feel okay?"

"I thought...no, I feel fine." Angel did feel fine in fact he felt wonderful, the aching loneliness that he always felt was gone. Angel stared at Cordelia. He saw her concerned look. "I am.." Angel was interrupted by Elliot's voice.

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Chapter Fifteen

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you all have been sufficiently relaxed. Each of you will now take the next hour relearning your partner's bodies. Each of you will receive and give the other a massage, 1/2 hour for each. Enjoy." Elliot's voice came through the speakers.

Cordelia stared wide-eyed at Angel. 'A massage' she mouthed. No way, she thought. There was no way, she was going to lie down and let Angel run his hands all over her body. And god forbid, she couldn't touch his body. It was one thing to tease him about being a cuddly bear, it was one thing to touch his bare chest briefly as she bandaged him, it was another thing to love him and lust for the vampire from across a room, she could handle all that. But this, Cordelia knew she couldn't handle. Just the thought of being able to touch his bare skin, feel the muscles under her fingers made her nerves tingle in anticipationn and her mind scream in panic. Cordelia shook her head trying to dampen the warmth growing in her belly.

"Angel, why don't we skip this part? We should go up and check the computer for any messages from Wesley. Yep, that's what we should do." Cordelia tried to keep her growing desire and hysteria from breaking through to her voice.

Angel heard Cordelia's rapid heart beat and increased breathing. He sensed that his seer was both scared and excited about Elliot's instructions. Angel felt his own desire responding to her burgeoning arousal. His demon was reacting to her scent. Angel automatically went to force down his demon when he realized that it was not Angelus he was struggling against but just his vampire lust.

Angelus was gone that was what was different within him. Angel was still a vampire, but his soul was permanent. Angel had no idea how his soul became bound, he just knew that it was.

Angel studied his nervous seer. He wanted her. The vampire's instinct was screaming for him to take her and make Cordelia his. And now he could, he could touch and taste every part of the woman he loved. Angel smiled as he realized that it was true, he did love his beautiful, caring, frustrating best friend. He moved towards Cordelia.

The vampire stopped as he felt her fear again, the beautiful girl might be aroused, but she was also scared. But what Angel didn't know was whether Cordelia was sacred of Angelus or him. Cordelia had always accepted Angel with out question, but did she accept him enough to love a 'grr' guy? No, Angel thought letting his lust control, vamping out and taking his seer would not be the best route to take with the nervous girl. Angel had to know if she could actually love a vampire.

Angel turned from Cordelia and went to the side of the massage bed. "Cordelia, it has been only a half hour since we last checked. I think we can spare an hour. Anyway, you said this room was relaxing, why not take advantage?"

"Relax?" she squeaked. "Angel, are you sure that you are okay? You just went all 'grry' don't you think we ought to find out why?"

"The scent is gone. We could go searching for the aroma of sweet incense, but I think that would not be really effective. So, why don't we just enjoy the next hour?"

"Enjoy?" Cordelia squeaked again.

Angel smiled and patted the massage table. "Come on, Cordelia."

Cordelia's mind was at war with her desire. Jumping up on that table would probably not be the smartest thing to do. Letting Angel touch her body could do nothing but torture her. But, she countered, it would probably be the only chance she would ever have to feel Angel's touch.

"Okay." Hoping that she made the right decision, Cordelia lay on the table her hands clenched around the side of the bed.

"Relax," Angel said pulling her robe down past her shoulders.

"Angel," she gulped. Cordelia jerked up, her hands still grasped on the bed.

"Well, that helps a little bit," he smiled as he was able to pull the robe further down. "But, if you want me to do this right you are going to have to let go. Just for a minute." He teased.

"Angel are you sure you are alright?"

"Yes, Cordelia I am fine. Now, please," he asked moving his hand along her raised arm down to her clenched fist. Cordelia nervously nodded and settled back on the table releasing her hold. Angel quickly removed the robe from her arms and pulled the material down to her waist.

"Cold?" he asked gently as he noticed her shiver. Cordelia shook her head, which she had cradled in her crossed arms. Cordelia didn't trust her voice to speak.

"Oil or lotion?"

Cordelia shook her head again. If this was actually happening and not some dream, she was going to be damned if she would let anything come between his skin and her skin, even lotion.

Angel placed his fingertips along her shoulders. Cordelia shivered and jumped slightly.

"Cordelia, I can warm the oil, if my hands are too cool." Angel lifted his hands from her back. Cordelia shook her head vigorously.

"Are you sure?"

"Angel, please, I am fine," she grumbled in frustration at the loss of his touch.

Angel smiled in relief; he didn't want anything between his fingers and her skin. He placed his hands back on her shoulders. His large thumbs pressed into her shoulder blades making small circular motions into her tense muscles. Cordelia sighed, relaxing a little.

"That's better," he soothed, spreading his strong hands on her back. His fingers kneaded at her skin. Angel moved his strong hands along the small of her back rubbing and pushing at her skin.

The tactile sensations that the vampire was experiencing were igniting a fire in his loins. Angel took a unneeded deep breath and stroked at her sides. Cordelia's breathing became more ragged. Angel caressed along her sides stopping to fondle and push into the soft flesh of her breasts pressed into the table.

"Angel," she murmured as her body squirmed against the table. Angel slid his hands lightly down her back. Cordelia instinctively arched her back trying to push her flesh back into his firm touch.

"Sh, Cordy," he said lowly running his fingers down to the curve of her buttocks. Angel leaned into her body drinking in the sweet and spicy scent of her skin and increasing arousal. Angel bit his lips trying to keep his tongue and mouth from tasting and kissing her flesh.

"Cordy?" he growled.

"Mmmmm?" Cordelia struggled to form words. She had never felt so relaxed and aroused. Angel's touch was soothing her muscles while inflaming sparks of desire. Cordelia could feel the warm moisture pooling in her center.

"Cordy, could you ever love a 'grr' guy?"

Cordelia tried to concentrate on Angel's words, but it was too hard. "Uh?" she moaned into the bed. Angel lifted his hands from her body. Cordelia whimpered at the loss. "Angel, please," she pleaded.

Angel knelt down at the bed by Cordelia's head. "Cordelia, look at me," he growled gently pushing her hair away from her face. She raised her desire-laden eyes to his yellow demon eyes. "Cordelia, do you want me?" he growled.

The young girl bit her lips and nodded slowly. She was too aroused to even try to lie to the vampire. Angel leaned in reverting to his handsome human face, his lips softly pressing into her. He applied more pressure as his tongue begged entry to her mouth. Cordelia sighed parting her mouth, her lips and tongue meeting his eagerly. She moaned into his mouth her fingers entwinning into his dark hair.

"Angel," she whimpered as she pulled away to take a breath, her hands trailing down his face. Her wide eyes were questioning as she stared in Angel's passion filled ones.

"Cordy, do you trust me?"

Cordelia nodded.

Angel stood and gently pulled Cordelia up until she was on her knees; her robe fell to the table. Angel's hands splayed out over her shoulders moving briefly down to her full breasts, his thumbs caressing her erect nipples, then back up to her shoulders.

"Angel? How? When?" she asked softly her hands reaching up to caress his handsome face. Angel leaned into her soft touch his hands stroking up towards her face. The vampire shook his head shrugging.

"I don't know, but it's true. Angelus is gone."

A wide smile of wonder grew on her beautiful face. "And you want me?" she whispered.

"No, I love you," he smiled tracing his fingers along her lips. "You grew on me, like some sort of fungus, I guess," Angel teased gently.

"Jerk." Cordelia pulled the vampire to her. "I love you," she said softly right before her lips captured his.

Angel returned the kiss with passion relishing the taste of Cordelia. His large hands traveled down her sides until they reached her hips and with a gentle tug he urged her body closer to his. Cordelia gasped as her breast made contact with his chest. Her exploration of his mouth became more demanding as the heat in her belly spread through out her body. Cordelia's hands feverently reached for the tie at Angel's robe. Once the robe was open her hands slid around to the vampire's back. Angel groaned a he felt the small trail of fire follow her touch up and down his broad back. He tugged again at her lower body lifting it off the massage table. Cordelia wrapped her long legs around his waist, bringing her moist center in direct contact with his groin. Angel growled in almost painful pleasure as the heat from her moisture seared into his skin.

Cordelia tightened her legs around him as Angel moved them away from the table. Cordelia turned her lips away from his mouth, resting her lips against his cheek as she gulped in much needed air.

"I love you," she whispered again, planting small kisses along the vampire's jawline up to the sensitive area behind his ears. Angel with a low growl separated their bodies as he lay her on the plush floor cushions. Cordelia gazed up at him, her eyes and arms pleading with him to join her. Angel quickly knelt down beside the flushed young girl. Angel stopped her eager hands from pulling him towards her.

"No, not yet," he growled. "I have to relearn, correction, I have to learn my partner's body," Angel growled repeating the supposed goal of this particular session.

Angel knelt down picking up each of Cordelia's feet; he rubbed at her soles, then slowly caressed upwards until his hands encircled her slim ankles. He pushed her feet further apart as he leaned in between her long limbs. Angel stroked both of Cordelia's firm calves as he alternated kissing and tasting each leg. Cordelia's slight whimpers became gasps as she felt his mouth on the inside of her thigh.

Angel took his time, savoring each inch of Cordelia's skin as his hands caressed and fondled her hips. The vampire growled low as he reached the apex of Cordelia's thighs. Angel gazed at Cordelia's center soaking in the scent of her arousal. Her fragrance was intoxicating to him; he blew gently on her dark curls, his thumbs tracing the line where her curls began.

Cordelia's breath caught in her throat as the pressure of her need intensified. She jerked her hips forward. "Angel," she pleaded in a broken whisper, her hands clutching at his broad shoulders.

The vampire growled again, taking in another deep whiff of her scent, forcing himself to ignore his longing to bury his mouth into the source of the inebriating aroma. Cordelia moaned in frustration, her small fist hitting his back as Angel's lips moved further up her body. The vampire's tongue swirled in and around her belly button as his large hands reached for her breasts. Cordelia wrapped her legs around trapping the vampire and pushing her center into his chest. Angel released her breast and moved his hands back down to her hips urging her to relax her grip while his mouth continued tasting the taunt skin of her belly.

With a whimper of frustration, Cordelia relented and slightly loosened her hold allowing the vampire to continue the upward ascent of his body and mouth. The young girl's hands flew to Angel's head as the vampire lips captured an erect nipple, his hand molding and fondling the other breast. Cordelia moaned and pressed him closer as his teeth scraped the sensitive bud. Angel switched his lips to her other nipple, his strong fingers taking over teasing and tweaking of the abandoned nipple. Cordelia's fingers kneaded and tugged at the vampire's hair.

Angel moved his head to the crook of Cordelia's neck, nuzzling and licking at her pulse point. Angel thought he was going to explode, as he smelt her heated blood. The vampire struggled against his own needs as he placed tiny kisses up along Cordelia's chin and cheek.

With a sharp tug of her hands, Cordelia brought Angel's eyes to hers. "Angel," she moaned. Angel captured her lips his tongue gaining immediate entry. Their tongues exploring and tasting the other's mouth. Cordelia tightened her legs around Angel's hips as she felt his hard member on her body. She frantically rubbed her wet heat against the vampire, begging for him.

Angel growled at the sensation as he pulled away from Cordelia leaning up on his arms.

"Angel, please," Cordelia moaned. The ache in her belly was unbearable.

"Not yet," he growled. The vampire saw his seer's bottom lip start to quiver.

"Angel," she whined.

Angel ran his tongue over her trembling lip and looked up. "Pouting won't work," he said with a smile.

Cordelia bit his lip in annoyance and frustration. Her mind couldn't think of any other retort. All words or the ability to make coherent phrases had left Cordelia. The only thing she could think of was her desperate need to have the vampire inside her.

Again, Angel pulled away, this time he moved down her body and positioned himself back between her thighs. Without preamble, his mouth descended on her wet cente. Cordelia gasped out loud, her hands swinging out to her sides clutching widly at the pillows as her hips thrust forward.

Angel's tongue and teeth teased at the small bud in her folds. He drank in as much of her uniquely flavored juices as he could. The vampire's ministrations became more frenzied as his own hunger to be sheathed in Cordelia's heat became painful. He forced himself to focus only on the writhing girl's engorged clit. Angel tugged and scrapped the bud with his teeth. Cordelia's ragged breath caught in her throat as every nerve in her body exploded. Angel pressed in further as Cordelia screamed her release. The vampire gentled his mouth tenderly kissing and licking at her center as his large hands soothingly ran over Cordelia's trembling body.

Angel leaned back over Cordelia. Her eyes were closed; small tears were pooled in the corner of her lids.

"Cordy." The strain of his own need was apparent in Angel's growl and face. Cordelia opened her wide hazel eyes into his. She smiled as her small hands reached for the vampire's shoulders and her hips moved upwards to meet his fluid thrust.

Angel stilled in wonder at the feel of his hard shaft fully embedded in Cordelia's heat. Cordelia smiled in acknowledgement and in agreement at his wonder. She tensed her inner muscles making her tight channel even tigher around his member. Her action spurred on Angel's aching need, he started to move against her body forcefully. Angel growled as his body tensed and his balls tightened as each plunge carried him deeper into Cordelia's warmth.

Cordelia urged her hips forward meeting everyone one of his powerful thrust. With every movement, she could feel her body spiraling out of control. Angel marveled at Cordelia's feverant responses, as she encouraged and accepted his body into hers. His desire and hunger became intolerable as his need for release approached.

Angel fought to retain his human visage. Cordelia grabbed at either side face of his face seeing his struggle. "I love you, all of you," she whispered. Cordelia gazed lovingly into his now lust filled demon eyes. Angel growled as she pulled his head to her neck. Cordelia's inner walls began to contract fiercly around his shaft. With her love and permission, Angel gently pierced the delicate skin on her neck. Cordelia moaned at the sensation, her orgasm intensifying as Angel took small sips of her blood.

"Angel," she cried as the vampire growled. Both lovers reaching their releases simultaneously. Angel, never withdrawing from Cordelia's warmth rolled onto his side taking the shaking girl with him. He licked and kissed at the small puncture wound as his broad hands soothed Cordelia's trembles, the growls emitting from his throat sounding more like soft purrs.

"Oh my," Cordelia said in wonder.

"Oh my, indeed," Angel agreed. Angel held the young beautiful girl tighter, amazed at the feelings within him that his seer inspired. He had thought that with Buffy, he had reached the pinnacle of love and joy. But now, after making love to Cordelia, holding her, and knowing that she loved and accepted all of him, the vampire knew the what he had with Buffy was just a pale reflection of real love. Real love didn't just come from the heart, it came from the soul and Angel knew without a doubt that his heart and soul belonged to Cordelia, just as hers belonged to him.

Cordelia stirred against him moving to sit up. She sat hugging her knees to her chest staring at the vampire. "This is real, isn't?" she said in soft amazement.

"Very. I love you, Cordelia Chase." Angel reached out to tenderly brush aside a dark strand of silky hair that had fallen over her face.

A large happy smile exploded on her beautiful face as she laughingly lunged back on the vampire. She enthusiastically planted small wet kisses all over Angel's grinning face. Just at the moment loud bells sounded through the speakers on the wall.

"No, no, no," Cordelia whined. "Not fair, I haven't had my turn." Angel brought them both up to their feet, smiling at Cordelia's pout.

"Your turn?"

"Yes, I didn't get my turn to learn your body," she huffed pointing to the massage table.

Angel laughed. "Cordelia, there is no need to get all pouty. I don't need to be convinced to give you your turn. Just later."

"Ummp."

Angel smiled as he got her robe and put it on her. He sighed and gazed one last time at his seer's lush body before he tied the belt, knotting it tightly.

"Angel?" Cordelia looked questioningly at the triple knot.

"I have wanted do that all morning. I am taking no chances, that robe stays closed until I take it off." Angel growled possissively.

"Oh," she said happily watching the vampire put on his robe. "When?"

"Soon, I hope, real soon, but first we do need to check in with Wesley."

"Wesley?" Cordelia said puzzled. "Oh, Wesley, right." Cordelia had totally forgotten about the former watcher, her vision and why they were even at the Eros center. "Right, Wesley. We better go." Cordelia pulled the vampire out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Sixteen

Angel pushed Cordelia behind him as he sensed Elliot and Gerard coming down the hallway.

"Angel, Cordelia, I hope you found the session beneficial?" the gray-haired guru asked pleasantly.

"Umm, Yes...," Cordelia stuttered blushing.

"Wonderful. Well as there will be no more sessions this evening, I hope you will take advantage of the many pleasures at the Center."

"Right," she nodded from behind Angel's back. "Bye." Cordelia hit the vampire on his shoulder urging him to go forward.

Elliot nodded and with Gerard moved on past the couple.

Angel turned back and watched as Elliot turned the corner.

"Angel, what is it?"

"The sweet incense I smelled before. It is all over Elliot."

"What do you think it means?" Cordelia scrunched up her face.

"I have no idea," Angel said puzzled.

"Do you want to follow them or go check for messages?"

"You go up to the room and wait for me."

"Angel."

"Go, Cordelia, I won't be long."

"I don't want to. What if you need another distraction?" She complained.

"Cordelia, go, and don't let anyone into the room. The full moon is tonight." Angel said unequivocably.

"Ummph. Okay, but be careful," she warned.

Angel kissed her cradling her face in his large hands. Cordelia leaned into his embrace, her hands clutching on to the vampire's shoulders responding enthusaiastically to his kiss.

Angel broke away trailing a finger along her swollen lips. "I won't be long," he said moving down the hallway.

Cordelia stood there touching her mouth trying to recapture the feel of Angel's lips.

Angel stopped sensing that Cordelia hadn't moved. "Go, Cordelia."

"Right," the lovely brunette said coming out of her daze and running in the opposite direction.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, wow, wow, was all Cordelia thought as she ran into the bedroom and threw herself on the bed. She couldn't believe it. Angel loved her! Wow, she thought, hugging a pillow close to her. Cordelia squeezed harder as she recalled every kiss, every loving caress that Angel had placed on her body. Cordelia didn't know that it could be possible to be this happy. Her far away gaze landed on the laptop computer. Oh damn, she thought, getting up. Cordelia really needed to get her mind focused on the mission at hand. Her eyes widened as she read Wesley's e-mail. This was not good, Cordelia thought, reading the message intently.

The dark-haired girl jumped as she heard the suite door close. Cordelia quickly reached for the stake under the mattress. She stalled in her movement when she sensed that it was Angel in the other room. How did she know that, she wondered. Cordelia had been getting better at sensing him when he vammpy snuck into a room, but she had never been able to sense him when he was totally in another room.

"So, what were the enlightened duo up to?" she asked as Angel walked into the bedroom.

"I am not sure. But they went down onto one of the lower floors. It looks like they are setting up for some sort of ceremony."

"Well, I don't think it is a love-in type get together," she responsed turning the computer screen towards the vampire.

"Wesley found out something?"

Cordelia nodded scooting over as the vampire sat on the bed behind her. Angel leaned in and rested his head on her shoulder, taking a moment to breathe in his seer's scent and glance down her gapping robe. Angel sighed and reached around Cordelia and closed the robe tighter around her neck.

"Angel?"

"Distracting," he said almost wistfully. "What does Wesley have say?"

Cordelia sighed in return and leaned into the vampire's chest wiggling her bottom closer to him.

"Stop," Angel growled but didn't move away.

"Ummp, former watcher guy extraodinaire and the street vamp hunter with an attitude found the two couples." Cordelia scrolled up to the begining of the message.

"The first couple, the Macdonald's had been married for 5 years before they came to the Eros Center and took Elliot's program. The other couple was unmarried, but had been together for over a year. But as 'coincidence' would have it, one of each of the couples died shortly after the last night of the seminar, a full moon night in January." Cordelia paused and scrolled down farther.

"Betty Macdonald was found dead 3 days after in the woods about 10 miles away from here. The exact time and cause of death were undeterminable, because her body had been burnt. The police questioned everyone at the Center and actually held the husband for awhile as a suspect. But they found nothing to link the Center or John, that was the husband. At the time, John swore he didn't remember anything after they entered the Center up until some campers found him wandering in the woods."

"Does he remember anything now?"

"Don't know. He is dead. Killed himself six months later. Bill, a part of the second couple supposedly died in a car accident just a mile down the road. Joanne, the girlfriend was supposedly thrown from the wreckage. Like Betty, Bill's body was burnt to a crisp and like John, Joanne didn't remember anything after entering the Center."

"Did Wesley talk to the girlfriend?"

"They tried but Joanne has been completely loony tunes and in the mental institute pretty much since the 'accident'. Our intrepid investigators did manage to talk to some family members of both couples." Cordelia paused again.

"And?"

"It seems that the two couples had a several things in common."

"What?" the vampire asked.

"First, they were fairly young, 20's-30's, considered to be very attractive, they were as all would describe madly and wildly in love, but experiencing some difficulties in their relationship. So, they came to the Center. And they both came back a partner dead and some majorly important gaps in the survivor's memory. The family members of John and Betty described John as literally wasting away after her death. They said it was horrible to watch the pain he was in. They all agreed that the tragedy of Betty's death was too much for him and he ended his life, as they said, and Wesley quotes,'so their souls could be together'." Cordelia stopped speaking and pulled Angel's arms tighter around her. She took a deep breath and continued.

"Joanne's sister describes pretty much of the same thing, except that Joanne didn't kill herself; she just went completely bonkers. The sister says that Joanne just sits in the crazy bin, medicated to the gills, otherwise she would just scream continuoulsy in agony at the loss of her 'other half'. It's so sad," she whispered leaning closer into Angel.

Angel squeezed Cordelia tighter. "Is there more?" he asked softly.

Cordelia sighed. "Yes, Wesley also found the tattoo, the right tattoo. It is an offshoot of the orginal Eros cult. Like the orginal it believes that true love is a powerful force worthy of worship. But where, the original could was satisified by the 'live sex show' between the chosen soul mates, the other version believed that Eros need more as a proper tribute. They believed that the agony of a lost love or soulmate was a more powerful tribute to their god. The worshippers believed that sacrificing one's soul was the ultimate gift to Eros. Then in a never-ending quest to find the perfect gift, they figured that splitting apart soul mates would be the gift to end all gifts. They would give one soul to the god immediately during a sacred ceremony, then let the other soul slowly implode, you know sort of like a sacrifice on a delayed timer. If Wesley, is right, then Elliot is really a priest of a less than loving love god. His so-called seminars are just a way to find the appropriate coupled lambs for the slaughter." Cordelia sighed sadly.

"Which means Betty Macdonald and Bill were probably killed here in that nice little ceremonial room you saw downstairs, but then moved and their deaths made to look like an accident. While John and Joanne suffered their loss, thereby giving the 'god' a continual sacrificial high," Cordelia added in comtempt.

"Cordelia did Wesley say how they picked the one that would be killed?" Angel asked thoughtfully.

Cordelia scrolled back up the screen. "No, just that the real gift was the soul mate's agony. Maybe they just flipped a coin," she shrugged.

"No," Angel thought out loud becoming slowly becoming anxious. "They would want the soul which would suffer the most to remain alive as long as possible for their god..." Angel paused. "Does Wesley say how they know that the chosen couples were actually soul mates," the vampire asked with an almost desperate harshness.

Puzzled at the increased tension in the vampire's body, she answered. "Well, Wesley said that once a couple is chosen, both versions of the cult, perform a soul binding spell to guarantee that the couple's souls were one, so the gift would have more potency."

Angel jumped off the bed. "Cordelia get dressed," he ordered. Angel grabbed for the cell phone in the dresser.

"Angel?"

"Just do it," he growled.

Cordelia looked questioningly at the vampire as he violently japped at the numbers on the phone.

"Wes, yes we got it. I want you and Gunn to get out here. Yes. No, but I want you to take Cordelia away from here. I'll explain when you get here, now go," Angel growled into the phone pulling out his black pants and shirt.

"Angel?" Cordelia asked fully dressed.

"Cordelia, the incense, my soul being permanent..."

"The spell Wesley was talking about? Our souls are bound?"

Angel nodded yanking the shirt over his head.

"Oh," she exclaimed her eyes wide. "So, that means we're the couple in love."

"Yes, come on, I am getting you out of here. We will wait for Wesley and Gunn down the road." Angel put on his duster throwing his weapons in his bag.

"Then what?" Cordelia asked not moving.

"Then, I will come back. Move it, Cordelia," he ordered the dark haired girl.

"Angel, no. For the sacrifice to happen one has to die and one has to live. And I am NOT going to go and leave you here and wait to be the long drawn-out broken-souled sacrifice to some stupid warped 'love' god. I am NOT," she yelled. "We both leave or we both stay," Cordelia said determinely.

"Cordelia," Angel growled loosing his patience with his seer. "They don't want to kill me, they want to kill you. If you stay you could very well end up dead and your death reported as some freakish accident, while I wander around with gaps in my memory and the broken soul."

"Uh?"

"Cordelia, I am the 'delayed' sacrifice. Hell, I am probably a better sacrifice than they ever imagined."

"Angel?"

"Cordelia, Elliot knows. You told him."

"What?"

Angel grabbed Cordelia's face. "Cordelia, you told him that you would die and risk your soul for me. You told him that you wished that I would believe in myself as much as you believed in me."

"But.."

"Cordelia, he knows what I know, that without you I loose my belief in my soul. I loose my will to be a part of this life. Without you, their god gets his agonized soul a thousandth fold or Angelus," he added sardonically. "Now move it," the vampire growled fiercly.

Cordeila stunned at the force of the vampire's emotions moved awkwardly gathering her things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Seventeen

Cordelia had barely gotten through with tossing the last piece of clothing in her bag when Angel grabbed her by the arm and propelled the young girl to the door. Just as Cordelia was about to go through the open door she tensed. Angel gathered his seer in his arms as she started to tremble in pain, Cordelia's head falling on the vampire's shoulders. Finally, she looked up trying to clear her mind of the pain of the vision.

"Angel, we both have to stay. It's not just the psycho love-confused human Elliot, it's Eros, well, it's not Eros, but some sort of demon with illusions of godlike grandeur. It's coming down there." Cordelia pointed to the floor. "We have to stop it, otherwise, next year, it will be the same thing. It will keep killing and tearing apart soul mates. We have to end it." She pulled away from the vampire.

"Cordelia, I will come back, but you have to go."

"No, Angel, the demon won't come unless it is called and that will be only if we are both there."

"Cordelia, I will not risk you, I will..."

"Angel, you can't do anything if the demon is not raised, or nothing that will matter, anyway. We have to both be there."

"No," Angel growled more to himself that at her.

"Angel." Cordelia caressed his handsome face. "The vision. We have to...

Elliot's voice interrupted her. "Cordelia, Angel, you weren't planning to leave us," Elliot called from down the hall, gesturing at their clothes and bags.

"Uh, no, I just wanted to see Angel in his black on black ensemble, it was what attracted me to him in the first place." Cordelia forced out a laugh ignoring the guru's motion to the bags.

Elliot smiled. "Well, I am glad that you both are here, I want to talk to you both."

"I thought the sessions were over until tomorrow." Cordelia smiled gripping Angel's hand attempting to prevent the vampire from attacking.

"The formal sessions are, but I think that you both still need some private counseling," the pony-tailed thin man said walking closer.

Angel turned quickly as he sensed another presence coming up behind him. The handsome vammpire smothered a growl as he saw Gerard and two other Center's employees moving up from behind.

"Angel," Cordelia whispered caution. "We have to get to the ceremonial site and stop the demon. They don't know you are a vampire, now. It's is an advantage," she quietly reminded the enraged vampire. Angel forced his demon down and slowly nodded.

"Follow me, please," beckoned Elliot in a smooth voice.

"Sure, why not? It might be fun. Come on, Angel, everything else has been pretty cool. We were just about to go for a moonlit stroll, maybe stop at the pool, go for a skinny dip. Bob and Carol were right; the non-clothing thing becomes easier. But I guess, we could do that later, I mean your impromptu talk won't take too long, will it?" Cordelia babbled.

"No, of course not," the guru said smiling as he came along aside the couple. "But, Cordelia, I am sensing that Angel isn't quite as willing and that won't do." Elliot smoothly pressed a hypodermic needle in the vampire's neck.

Cordelia cried out as Angel slumped to the floor. "What did you give him?" She yelled going to the floor terribly afraid remembering the Rebecca incident. Oh wait, she thought, no more Angelus, but still..."What have you done to him?" Cordelia jumped up striking out at the long haired guru.

"Now, calm down dear child, he will be fine, he will wake up soon enough. Just as you will," Elliot said soothingly as Gerard inserted a needle in the side of the frantic young girl's neck.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Eighteen

Cordelia felt strange. She could hear her name drifting through the fog the that clouded her mind. She shook her head trying to clear the confusing haze. Cordelia heard her name again, this time it seemed to be coming from close by. She strained to focus on the voice.

"Cordelia, Cordy," Angel called again.

The dark haired girl slowly opened her eyes. "Angel," she mumbled.

The vampire sighed in relief. Cordelia had been unconscious for what seemed like hours. Angel knew that it was not actually that long, but he had regained consciousness fairly quickly, the sedative working through his system at a faster rate, and each minute that he was awake and his seer unconscious induced panic in his soul.

Cordelia groaned as she tried to stand. "Ow," she complained as the chains around her wrist dug into her skin as she moved. "Angel?"

Cordelia looked around the room. Obviously, they were in the ceremonial site. The big room was filled with candles; a large stone altar was in the middle of the room. Directly in front of the altar on a raised platform stood Elliot and Gerard. Gerard was lighting the candles as the tall gray haired man beckoned hooded black robed figures into the room. Elliot's plain white robe was replaced with a black silky one, covered in the gold embroidered design that was tattooed on his forearm.

"Come, children." Elliot gestured for the worshippers to take their place around the altar. "It is almost time for 'HE' to arrive. Prepare yourselves." The followers all bowed their heads and started chanting quietly.

"Angel?" Cordelia whispered repeating herself.

"Yes, Cordelia."

"Do you have a plan? I mean how are we going to get out of this? What?" she said at the vampire's raised eyebrows. "I said that we needed to be down here, sure. But, I meant as the 'avenging' hero type good guys, not as the sacrificial love lambs. Geez."

Angel smiled. Even chained to wall and facing possible death, Cordelia didn't quit. God, he loved her. He better start thinking of a plan or he would never hear the end of it.

"Angel?"

"I am working on it, Cordelia." Angel said testing the strength of the chains.

"No, not that. Angel, where are our clothes," she asked quietly. Cordelia had to ask why they both were chained up to a wall naked, even though she just knew that she wasn't going to like the answer.

"Over there." Angel motioned to the pile of neatly stacked clothes by their bags.

"That's not what I meant," she whined.

"I know, but I am not sure and I doubt seriously that you really would want to know the answer if I did."

"You're right. I don't. Get us out of here," she demanded. "Goody, look whose coming," she grumbled.

"Cordelia, Angel, welcome. You both are about to be a part of a wondrous event, the raising of 'HE'."

"'HE'?" asked Cordelia.

"Yes, 'HE'."

"What, your demon doesn't even have a name, what is this? A sacrificial rite being held for the demon 'formally known' as Eros," she sniped.

Elliot stared in momentary surprise. "You know of Eros?"

"Duh, Greek god of love, or more commonly known as the Roman version, a fat baby with a bow and arrows. Somehow, I just don't see that little love arrow-piercing toddler a part of all of this."

"The Romans," Elliot said in disgust. "They bastardized Eros' true godhood, they commercialized 'HIM'"

"Right, the ancient Romans were really big on the Hallmark sales, get real. You and your freaky offshoot are the ones that bastardized the meaning of Eros. Love god, not soul-sucking bad demon want-a-be god," Cordelia huffed.

"Cordelia, shut up," Angel ordered.

"She does talk alot, doesn't she," Elliot said to the vampire. "Interesting, not many, actually, none of the chosen knew of the sect. How did you know?"

"Lucky guess," mumbled Cordelia. Damn, she really did have a big mouth sometimes, she chastised herself.

Elliot looked speculatively at the chained coupled. "Angel, why do you carry around these wooden stakes?" Elliot held up the handful of stakes that had been hiddin on his body and in his coat.

Cordelia and Angel were silent. The priest guru kept looking at them waiting for an answer.

"Vampires," Cordelia finally said.

"Vampires?"

"Sure, you know Dracula, the Lost Boys, Lesat and Louis, blood sucking creatures of the night, etc. They are out there you know. Haven't you ever watched the X-files, it's all true. We never leave home with out the appropriate protection; you know stakes, garlic and holy water. Right, honey?" Cordelia turned to Angel.

Angel didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he did neither. "Yes, vampires are real, one should always be prepared," he said calmly.

"Vampires," Elliot said in disbelief. "Foolish children, vampires are just old myths made up to explain the more ancient barbaric cults," he said patronizingly.

"Uh," Cordelia exclaimed. "You believe in a whacked out version of the love god, but you don't believe in vampires. Let me tell you..."

"Cordelia, shut up," Angel said loudly. "Elliot does not want to hear our beliefs on the existence or non-existence of vampires. I am sure he has something he wants to explain to us."

"Oh, right," she said a little sheepishly.

"Angel, is correct. You both are here because I found you two to be the perfect soul mates for the gift. 'HE' will be pleased by your sacrifice." The pony tailed priest smiled. "'HE' will be here soon, but first you both must be prepared to call him." Elliot leaned into the vampire injecting the vampire in the neck with another drug.

"Now, what did you give him," Cordelia yelled.

"Don't worry, Cordelia you won't be left out." Elliot moved towards the young girl. Angel growled and lunged towards the robed man. The sound of the vampire's growl stalled the man momentarily. Elliot looked back at Angel. He turned back to Cordelia, as he saw nothing out of the ordinary about the struggling handsome man.

Elliot pressed the needle into Cordelia's neck. "There, now you will be relaxed and receptive to the upcoming ceremony." Elliot smiled and walked back towards the altar.

"Angel, what did he give us? I feel funny."

Angel's body tensed as he felt the effects of the drug take effect. He looked at Cordelia and clenched his eyes shut as he saw her nude body and heard her voice.

"Cordelia, don't make a sound or move in anyway close to me," the vampire struggled.

"But, Angel?" she asked trying to get closer to the vampire.

"Don't." Angel's vampire visage flickered on and off his face. "Elliot gave us an aphrodisiac. Don't do anything," he growled. Angel fought to gain control over his demon. The drug was effecting him instantly. His lust was becoming unmangageable. Angel's demon was crying for release, the smell of Cordelia, the sight of Cordelia was unbearable. Everytime, she spoke or moved a flame of intense desire ran through his body.

Cordelia watched as Angel struggled to maintain his human countenance. Shit, she tought, as a warm need spread through out her body as she stared at her naked vampire. Cordelia closed her eyes and tried to ignore the the feelings of desire arising in her, just as she tried to ignore the vampire chained up next to her. Cordelia could feel the aphrodisiac take effect. Obviously, it influenced Angel faster, she thought, as she heard him growl to himself. God, Cordelia needed him in her. No, she tried to calm herself; she would not loose control here, in front of the nutty weirdoes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Nineteen

"Well, that was quick," Elliot said. "Take her."

"No," Cordelia yelled as the robed men unchained her and dragged her thrashing to the stone altar. Elliot looked again at Angel as he heard a low menacing growl. But as before, all he saw was the young handsome man straining against the chains.

Cordelia fought against the metal clasps snapped on her wrist and ankles.

"Soon," Elliot promised.

"Angel," Cordelia whimpered both in artificially stimulated sexual need and in real fear. She gasped as Angel's nude body was thrown over hers.

"Angel," she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes.

"I am sorry." Angel fought against his demon's desire to take the beautiful you girl violently and his desire to save her. Cordelia saw the pain that the vampire's inner battle was causing him. All thoughts of how horrible it was for her flew out of her mind as love and commonsense took over.

"Angel," she whispered straining up to meet his body. "We have to do this, the drug, the demon. If this is how it is called, then we have to. Don't worry. I am okay. Just make sure that when the demon is called you go all bad ass 'grr' guy and kill it, really meanly," she demanded, thrusting her body again up against the vampire's tense body.

Angel heard his seer's words and felt her body push towards his. Angel growled and thrust into her warm center, moving in and out in a rough rhythm. Cordelia closed her eyes at the sensation. It wasn't the same gentle love making that she had experienced earlier, but it was just as intense and satisfying. Cordelia forgot about the room and the onlookers; she just contcentrated on the vampire and the exhilaration he was causing through out her body. It wasn't until she heard Angel's growl that she came to her senses. Angel was loosing control of his demon. Elliot and gang couldn't know that he was a vampire, not yet, she thought.

"Angel," she whispered. Angel growled and lunged towards her chest.

"Angel," she whispered again yanking her breast from his descending fangs. Angel growled and forcibly brought her back.

"Angel, no," she whispered again. "Neck," she ordered throwing her head back. Angel stilled in his descent toward's the young girl's breast. He stared at the neck, memorized by the pumping pulse underneath Cordelia's delicate skin. His eyes glowed yellow.

"Now," Cordelia urged. Angel lunged into the slim column of her neck and drank. Cordelia gasped at the penetration and leaned into his embrace. Her dark hair covering his demon face. Cordelia gasped again as her orgasm filled her. As she slowly came back to earth she heard the chanting of the room.

Angel's weight fell on her trembling body as he got his release. "Cordy," he growled

"Angel, the demonn," she whispered.

Angel could only stare at the woman he loved tethered to the stone altar with his body over top her. Angel felt a flash of shame at what he had done, that he hadn't been able to control his urges. Cordelia immediately saw the remorse and guilt flicker over Angel's deep brown eyes.

"Now, you are just being stupid, Angel. Big, bad, evil, love DEMON, is now entering the building," she whispered harshly.

Angel growled as he felt his body being pulled away from Cordelia. The room darkened and an eerie voice filtered through the air.

"YOU HAVE DONE WELL, THESE TWO TRULY ARE SOUL MATES, HIS AGONY WILL BE MINE," the demon laughed out loud.

"Angel," Cordelia screamed. But she needn't have worried. Angel reached out and broke the chains at Cordelia's wrist and ankles, as he pulled away at the humans that grabbed at him. Angel pushed Cordelia to the floor as he took off flying towards the demon, his own demon loose.

The vampire demon and the large demon battled violently against each other.

The worshippers looked in shock as their 'god' was being attacked by their supposed sacrifice. The room errupted in chaos as the followers started scrambling for the exit.

Cordelia frantically felt around on the floor, she grunted in truimph as her fingers found the heavy candlestick holder that was at the side of the altar. She grasped at the heavy object swinging it towards Elliot who was standing tranfixed at the sight of the two combating demons. Her blow hit him in the legs, knocking the priest to the ground.

"I told you there was such things as vampires, and my 'grr' guy is going to so kick your stupid demon's ass." Cordelia paused in her next swing. "To be fair, I guess I should thank you for binding Angel's soul. So, thanks," she cried belting the man again with the candlestick, this time on his head.

Cordelia ran towards where the demon and the vampire were battling, running past the other occupants of the room's panicked flight.

"Oh, you sick middle aged robe wearing freaks," Cordelia yelled as she noticed Bob and Carol in the retreating group.

Angel in full game face was pummeling the larger demon with all of his vampire strength. But no matter how powerful Angel's blows, the demon remained standing. Cordelia looked around desperately for any possible weapon that was more lethal that the candlestick. Cordelia dropped the candlestick as she saw her and Angel's bags and clothes nearby. Cordelia rushed to Angel's bag scrambling inside.

"Angel," she yelled.

Angel looked up a caught the sword as it came flying through the air. With a quick turn and flick of his wrist, Angel plunged the blade into the demon's torso, ripping the sharped edge metal up to it's throat. Angel growled in victory as the demon fell guted to the ground. Cordelia slumped down her hands on her knees taking great deep breaths of relief. Angel came to her and lifted her up tenderly. Angel stared intently at his seer searching her face and body for any injuries.

"I am fine," she said softly. "You?" Cordelia asked rubbing her hands along her chest.

"Fine," he answered pulling her into his arms.

"We can go home now," she whispered into his chest.

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Epilogue

Angel woke up in his bed alone. The vampire growled in frustration and disappointment. He had hoped and somewhat expected that Cordelia would still be curled up over his body. Angel read the note left on the bed. 'Had to go do some stuff. Be back, soon. Love C.'

The night before, Cordelia and Angel had met up with Wesley and Gunn on the road from the Center to LA. Wesley and Gunn had followed them back to the Hyperion, to get the details of what happened at the Eros Center. So, after Angel called Kate to give her the information about Elliot and Gerard and their connection to the murders of Betty Macdonald and Bill, he sat down to go over the events of the night.

Both Cordelia and Angel decided that the vampire woud be the one to explain everything to their co-workers. Cordelia ignored their questioning looks as she went straight up to Angel's suite when they reached the hotel. After Wesley got over his initial shock at the news that Angel and Cordelia's souls were bound, he became philosophical about the matter.

"I am really quite pleased for the two of you," was all he said as he and Gunn left for the night. Cordelia had already been asleep when Angel went upstairs. She had rolled into his body as he got into bed.

"Angel," she said trying to open her tired eyes.

"Sh, sleep," he said kissing her on the head, pulling her body over his to blanket himself with her warmth.
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Angel went downstairs to wait for Cordelia's return. He kept looking at the clock getting more and more anxious at her absence. He was about to call Wesley, when the young girl came breezing into the hotel.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Where have you been?" he growled impatiently.

"Don't get all growly. I just had some stuff to do." Cordelia dropped her bags going up to the vampire and kissing him on the cheek. "Now go away." She pushed the vampire towards the sewers.

"What?"

"Go wander the sewers for awhile. I have to do stuff."

"What stuff have you been doing and what stuff do you have to do?" Angel growled.

"It's a secret. Now go," she said mysteriously.

"Cordelia, I don't want to go," he said pulling the young girl into his arms. Cordelia returned his kiss passionately.

She sighed and pulled away. "Go, Angel," she ordered.

A confused and frustrated vampire left the hotel. How did Cordelia do that, the vampire wondered. How did a twenty year old mortal girl so completely wrap an almost 250 year old vampire around her finger? Angel growled in self-deprecating disgust as he wandered around in the sewers.

As soon as Angel left Cordelia went out to Angel's car and got more packages. It took her a couple of trips up the stairs before she got all of the bags into the empty room beside Angel's suite. Cordelia busied herself in the room, humming a happy song as she worked. Finally, she was done. Cordelia smiled at her accomplishment. She quickly changed her clothes and waited for Angel to return.

Angel returned back to the hotel. Cordelia better have done whatever she had to do, because he was not leaving her again, he growled to himself. His seer could whine, pout, huff and order, but he was not going to leave, Angel promised himself. It had been too long since he had held his beautiful seer in his arms. Angel sensed that she was upstairs. He went straight towards the bedroom.

"Wrong room, 'grr' guy," Cordelia said from the doorway of the next room. Angel turned and stared at the beautiful girl wearing nothing but a white robe.

"Yours." She handed him a matching robe. "Clothes are just one of the many distractions to true relaxation," she lectured with a slight teasing smile on her face. "When you are ready." Cordelia went back into the room.

Angel looked at the robe then at the closed door. A low growl vibrated in his throat as he tore off his clothes. Dressed only in the robe, he opened the door.

The vampire stood in the doorway, amazed at Cordelia's preparations. The room had been transformed into a replication of the Center's mediation room, down to the massage table, water fountain and large floor pillows. Cordelia was standing in the middle of the room with a bright smile on her face.

"I believe it is my turn," she said patting the massage table.

Actually, the vampire knew exactly how the beautiful mortal wrapped him around her little finger. Angel smiled and closed the door.