The Iron is Hot - Cordelia & Wesley
A Day of Sport
by Ashley
Contact: celestial_slayer@yahoo.com
Summary: Cordelia and Wesley help out a soccer game
Pairing: Cordelia/Wesley
Rating: PG
"I really can't thank you enough." The pudgy middle aged man was saying. "I mean, you saved my life from those....drug addicts..." he shook his balding head. "Or whatever they were... things are still a little fuzzy."
Cordelia applied an ice pack to the back of his head. "Well, duh! That wasn't a pillow you were hit with!"
The man smiled painfully. "Yes...and if there's anything I can do for you..." He reached for his wallet.
Angel shook his head. "No, it's alright. We really don't need it." He began his 'It was nothing' speech.
The man interrupted him. "There must be some way to repay you."
Wesley politely refused. "We can't take your money."
Cordelia elbowed him sharply. "Yes we can!" She smiled at the man. "Cash or check?"
Wesley wanted to whack Cordelia. "She's, ah, just kidding." He covered her mouth with his hand, and sat her down behind the desk.
"Well, your kindness can't just go unrewarded..." The man's eyes lit up. "I know! My son's soccer team is having a family day fundraiser on Saturday. Why don't you come? There's games, entertainment, food... and I'll pay for the tickets."
"Ah..." Angel tried desperately to think up an excuse. 'Well, if you need a human bonfire, I'd be happy to attend' just didn't seem appropriate.
"I have a meeting." He said quickly. The man looked disappointed. "But, ah," Angel smiled. "I'm sure my associates would be happy to go."
Wesley and Cordelia looked at him sharply.
The man looked at the two of them, with a pleading look in his eyes.
They hesitated.
Angel shot them a 'do it or you're fired' look.
They stopped hesitating.
Cordelia put on a huge smile. "We'd love to!"
***
At precisely 11:15 Saturday morning, fashionably late as usual, Cordelia arrived at the soccer field. She had on a new outfit. Her reasoning was that Angel was going to give her a huge raise for this. 'Well, I can dream.'
She paused, and overlooked the park. Kids were passing soccer balls, preparing for the game. Lunch was being BBQed, and clowns were entertaining some younger children.
And Wesley.
Cordelia giggled, and snuck up on the tall man. She stood behind him, and using a deep voice, whispered into his ear:
"And what are you doing here, little boy?"
Startled, Wesley spun around. Cordelia laughed, as he blushed when he saw who it was.
He readjusted his glasses. "Uh, the clown is really very good. I couldn't see one flaw in his magic."
Cordelia laughed again. "Suuuuure. So, are you ready to enter Suburban Hell?"
Wesley smiled, "I doubt it's going to be *that* bad." He surveyed the scene. "Actually, I played football when I was younger...haven't had any practice recently, though."
"It's *soccer*..." Cordelia mumbled as she finished giving Wesley's t-shirt and shorts combo the once-over.
He rolled his eyes.
She tugged at his pantleg. "Nice legs." Grinning, she skipped away, towards the sign-up booth.
Wesley's jaw dropped. "You too..."
***
When Wesley arrived at the sign-up table, Cordelia was getting things organized.
"Sorry about that you two, but the only way to get even teams is if I split you up. Sorry." The guy behind the table was saying.
Cordy rolled her eyes at him. "I think I can handle being away from Brit Boy for an hour."
Wesley gave her a whithering look. "And I shall miss you too, Cordelia."
The guy smiled. "Well, you won't be too far away from each other - you're *playing* each other. Blue vs. Red, starts in 5. Have fun."
Cordelia rubbed her hands together and grinned at Wesley. "Oh I will."
***
After 20 minutes of heated action, the score was tied up at 2-2. To Cordelia's great surprise Wesley had been first to score, and assisted a young boy on the second goal. He had complete control of his team, and looked damn sexy while doing it.
"Corner kick!" The referee yelled. Wesley jogged over to the ball.
Cordelia ran about 20 meters in front of him. 'Time to show Pompous Ex-Watcher Guy up!'
Wesley caught Cordelia's eye. She gave him a puppy dog smile. He ran at the ball, kicked, and watched it fly.
It landed right in front of her.
"Hey! That was on purpose!" A Blue girl yelled.
"I think he likes her!" Some snot nosed boy added. The kids made an "Oooooooooooo" sound.
Wesley raised an eyebrow. Cordelia grinned evily at him.
He ran at her. She faked to the right, but ran left. Wesley caught on at the last minute, and bolted in front of her. She didn't expect him so soon, and smashed full-force into the tall Englishman.
"Ooof!" In a split second they were on the ground in a tangled heap.
The ref blew his whistle, and ran over to them.
"Nice move, Mr. English Soccer Star!" Cordelia pulled herself out from under Wesley, rubbing her elbow. He helped her up.
"Sorry about that. Shall I kiss it better?" He asked, his voice dripping with a little more sarcasm than intended.
She growled. "How 'bout you kiss my feet when my team kicks your ass!?"
He was stunned. "I..."
"Even better - let's make it bet. But I guarantee you *I* won't be kissing any feet." Cordelia smirked.
Wesley gritted his teeth. That was it. She wasn't going to get away with this. He smiled, lent forward, and whispered:
"Pucker up."
***
What started as a friendly game of soccer soon became an intense rivalry. Cordelia and Wesley never missed a chance to take one another on.
"Hey! No checking!" The snot nosed kid yelled, as Cordelia slammed past him on her way to Wesley and theball.
The referee blew his whistle, and Cordelia was presented with her 5th penalty. Of the half.
Wesley jogged by her, laughing.
With a screech, she lauched herself at him.
Five minutes later, they were able to resume play.
***
The referee gave a sigh of relief as the game ended half an hour later.
"Alright, final score: Red team 5, Blue team 6. Congratulations everyone. Well played." He quickly moved as far away from Cordelia as he could.
Wesley smiled widely. "Six-five. Hmmmmmmm...I guess the Blue team won." He looked smugly down at Cordelia, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. He stuck his hands in his pockets. Boy, did he feel*good*.
Cordelia shook her head, smiling slightly. "Not bad, Wes."
Wesley nodded. "Thank you. And..."
"And you proved me wrong..."
He nodded again "And..."
"And...you can really play soccer."
"Football," He corrected her. "And..."
She grinned. "And you wouldn't have won if you didn't have that 9 year old, redheaded *girl* on your team!" She laughed loudly.
Wesley made strange noises of complete amazment and semi-fury, as Cordelia grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the sign-up booth.
"Come on, I owe you something." She tugged harder athis hand.
"How about an apology?" Wesley said, indignant. "I really don't think I'm *that* bad at football!"
"Soccer." Cordelia pushed him behind the booth. Neither of them noticed the small group of nosey kids following them.
Once they were out of sight, she grabbed Wesley's shoulders, stopping him from escaping. Giving an exaggerated drama-queen style sigh, she said "Surprisingly, I didn't forget about the bet. I know when to admit I'm wrong, even if I don't want to do it. I'm not stuck-up, I'm nice. I can recognize when I'm beaten. *And* I can take it when I do lose." Cordelia sounded like she was about to make the supreme sacrifice. "Soooo, I *guess* I owe your feet akiss."
By this time, Wesley was smiling at her antics. He wrapped his arms around her. Smiling broadly, he whispered "How about a different part of the anatomy...?" He moved his face towards hers, and their grinning lips met.
The kids around the corner giggled.
"I think he likes her!"
The End