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Cordelia couldn’t remember a time when she’d been happier, they had stopped the apocalypse and Angel was supposed to turn human at midnight tonight, with his vampire strength and healing still intact. The Powers apparently weren’t ready to lose one of their best warriors but now him and Cordelia could start a family. And all the things in the middle. Cordelia couldn’t stop smiling as she flipped through her Bridal magazine in the lobby of the Hyperion. Angel had asked her to marry him when he’d found out he was going to turn human and her reply was something between a screech and a yes. Angel, Gunn, and Fred were checking out a new demon nest in the sewers. Cordelia looked at her watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. It was only 2 o’clock in the afternoon.
"Could this day last any longer?!" Cordy said under her breath and let her head fall to the table with a bump, discouraged.
She put down the Bridal magazine and pushed herself up and started looking around the hotel to pass time as if she hadn’t seen it almost every day for the past few years. It seemed that every square inch held some kind of memory whether it be a mark she swore was from her head hitting the floor during a vision, a slice from a sword or a bloodstain from a fight to the death, or where Angel kissed her goodbye earlier.
Cordelia jumped when Angel, Gunn, and Fred came through the door carrying weapons and covered in what could only be described as demon guts.
"I know! That was amazing when you did that flip thing and decapitated it." Fred inquired excitedly to Angel as they all sat the weapons next to the cabinet for cleaning.
"Yeah, well I guess I haven’t lost my touch." Angel replied.
"Haven’t lost your touch? I’d say you were definitely getting your touch on when you took out three at once." Gunn added.
Cordelia walked over to Angel.
"Rough fight?" She asked as she noticed the demon goo.
"Yeah, a little." Angel said dryly.
"Well I’m glad you’re back." Cordelia said.
"Oh you are." Angel said softly as he turned to face Cordelia.
Cordelia reached to put her hands around his neck but he caught them gently by her wrists.
"Let me take a shower first." He said and gave her a sweet kiss.
"Yeah, I hear that." Gunn added and Fred nodded and all three went upstairs.
Cordelia turned to go retrieve her magazine with a sigh and was startled when she noticed Lorne was giving her a look from the doorway to the office.
"What’s the matter Lorne?"
"Nothing princess, nothing." He said almost sadly and proceeded to go upstairs to his room.
"Hmm… wonder what’s with him?" Cordelia said to herself when Lorne was out of hearing range.
"He knows." Whistler said from behind her, making her jump.
"Ya know, someday I’m going to live in a place where people make noise when they walk. Who are you? How’d you get in here? Are you a client or potential client? And who knows what?" Cordelia said.
"Wow, so much for an icebreaker. He knows what you’re most afraid of but would never admit to yourself, he knows this isn’t how it should be." Whistler replied.
"He’s a read-your-soul demon or whatever, he knows what everyone’s afraid of. What’s your point?"
"I think you already know." Whistler said.
"Enlighten me."
"Let me show you."
"Why can’t you just tell me?" Cordelia asked.
"You’re blinded by love, you wouldn’t believe me. Come with me, I can show you."
"Why would I go anywhere with you? You won’t even tell me your name."
"My name is Whistler."
"Why should I trust you?"
"We have a mutual friend." He said glancing up.
"The Powers That Be?" Cordelia questioned.
"Them, and Angel."
"I better go get Angel."
"No. There isn’t time, take my hand." Whistler said extending his hand to her. Cordelia hesitated.
"I was sent to make things right and I’m too much of a softy to do it the hard way, take my hand." He urged.
"Alright, but if this is a trick Angel is going to kick your ass." She said and took his hand.
There was a blinding flash of white light and Cordelia opened her eyes to find herself in Sunnydale in a deserted alley, which she recognized as being close to the Bronze.
"This is Sunnydale." She stated as she looked around.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked.
"Look." Whistler said and indicated Buffy doing a handstand on a pole above the alley they were standing in.
"Who’s that?"
"Buffy."
"Buffy? Like Slayer Buffy?"
"One and only." Whistler answered.
"What’s she doing?" Cordelia asked.
"Waiting." Whistler answered simply.
Before Cordelia could ask why, a guy had walked up and Buffy had swung down and kicked him to the ground.
"Oh my gosh, that’s Angel! And wow, Buffy looks different… when is this?"
"1997."
"I don’t get it, why did you take me here?"
"Shh." Whistler hushed and indicated that she should be watching what was going on.
~
"Ah, heh. Is there a problem, ma'am?"
"Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me?"
"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite."
~
"Wow, so they haven’t even met yet?" Cordelia asked.
"Correct." Whistler said, and turned his attention back to the scene in front of them, hoping she’d get the hint that she should be doing the same.
Cordelia noticed and did the same, confused and a little fascinated.
~
"Don't turn your back on this. You've gotta be ready."
"What for?"
"For the Harvest."
"Who are you?"
"Let's just say... I'm a friend."
"Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend."
"I didn't say I was yours."
~
Cordelia watched Buffy take the beautiful silver cross necklace out of the box that Angel had tossed her.
"Ok, so they don’t even know each others names yet and he already got her a necklace!"
"For her protection, good thing too." Whistler said.
"I still don’t get it, can I go home now? Angel’s going to be worried."
"No he won’t."
"Yes he will, he loves me." Cordelia said, a little offended.
"No, I mean, we’re going back in time, in the present time is stopped."
"Right, whatever, can we go now?"
"Sure." Whistler said with a smirk.
He took Cordelia’s hand and snapped his fingers. Another blinding flash of white light followed his actions and Cordelia adjusted her eyes and then sighed, frustrated that they were not in the hotel. |
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