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Cordelia quickened her pace, they had spent hours looking for Angel, and nothing. They had decided to wait for them to return to the Magic Box.
"You're making me sick." Xander commented to his ex-lover.
Cordelia rolled her eyes, "And you make me feel that way by just looking at you." She shot back, suddenly being spun back into high school. Anya shifted uncomfortablly in her seat, next to Xander. She hated when they were together.
Just as Xander was about to shoot back, Cordelia's phone rang. "Hello?" After minutes on the phone, Cordelia finally hung up.
"That was Wes, Darla had her baby. Weird thing is, its already walking." Cordelia's eyes were wide and confused.
"How can that be?" Giles wondered aloud.
Just then the trio walked through the door. Cordelia ran up to Angel, "It's about time. Something's going to happen, I'm not sure what yet, but I got another vision."
As Cordy filled in an intent Angel, Buffy let her mind wander. Its been so long since she felt anything but void. She loved her friends and family dearly but something just wasn't right with her. She felt Spike's presences behind her, letting her mind waver to her disturbing thoughts.
Spike. He had been the one there for her these days, not even Angel could top that. She told him things she couldn't tell anyone, she couldn't figure out why that was. Nor did she want to explore that thought just yet.
"What's up kitten? You never were for the talking bit, at least not lately. But this isn't usual, you should be jumping in your boots, what with your flame being back in the picture." The last comment, chilled Buffy's body. Jealousy reeked in his voice, ignoring it, Buffy turned to him.
"I thought you were leaving?" Buffy hide her emotions, letting her tough exterior get the best of her.
Spike's jaw tightened as he looked over the slayer, looking for some break in anger. Maybe for something more... Seeing no sign of losening, he hardened his emotions.
"I'm gone." With that he left, leaving everyone looking at her in confusion.
Angel's eyes met hers, feeling her face warm she hide it, by turning away. "So what's the verdict?" She asked Giles, keeping her eyes on the watcher.
He sighed as if helpless. "It seems we must keep looking for some connection, as for you I think rest is in order. It seems whatever we are to face, you will need to be at your full ability." With that Giles began to clean his glasses. in a habit of nervousness.
Buffy looked around at her friends, "Cordy and Angel you guys are welcome to sleep at my place. I better go check up on Dawn and rest." With that she walked out.
Cordy yawned looking at Angel, "What do you say? Sun is almost up, we better get you set up in a nice dark place." She smiled and Angel felt his fears melt away.
"Sure." With that the two left, leaving Xander and Anya. Who just waved good-bye to Giles and left. Leaving Giles to his books.
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Buffy walked home alone, except for Angel and Cordelia who seemed to be staying away. Cordelia was awfully close with him now a days, jealousy raged inside her, even though she had no right to feel that way. After all hadn't she been the one feeling things for a certain vampire with a chip? How ironic that was, it seems she would never get away from the un-dead. Riley of course being the only exception, but even then he wanted to be un-dead. Life was such a crazy thing.
Buffy fought the emotions that surfaced when it came to Angel, why did everything have to be so complicated. She said goodnight to her friends, and checked up on Dawn. Willow and Tara had put her to sleep a while ago, or so it seemed. She smiled at her sibling, she just wished she had a better life to offer Dawn. Things would always be strange in her world, and Buffy knew how hard it was to stay normal. Hell, she wasn't even normal. But Dawn was strong, maybe even stronger than her, that was the thing that comforted Buffy.
Buffy closed Dawn's door and began walking to her own. She stepped back in surprise when Angel appeared to her, standing in her doorway.
"Hey." He said gently.
"Hi." Buffy forced herself to look at the ground, not wanting to be back in those eyes.
"Listen. Maybe we should-"
"Angel? I'm really tired, I really don't feel like rehashing this whole Darla thing right now." Buffy interrupted her lover, who just looked away, ashamed.
"Right." He walked away, leaving Buffy to herself.
She sighed trying to compose herself, "Men." With that she walked over to her bed, looking out to the horizon, it was almost morning. As the sunlight hit her face she felt warmth, for the first time she had been back she felt warmth, something to live for. Buffy smiled a little, not just a smile but hope. It was there and it was going to stay.
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Angel ventured into his lover's room, only to find her not there. The window open, curtains blowing int he breeze, he was startled when Cordelia put her hand on his shoulder.
"She'll always love you, Angel. Just maybe not in the same way.." Cordelia's words rung true which hurt him more than all the hell he had been through. She had been the one who had made him the man he was today, it was because of her he was still alive.
"I know." Angel sourly added to the conversation, feeling a slight brung in his forearm as the sun made its way through the window. He winced but didn't move, feeling the pain somehow made it better.
"Angel." Cordelia sighed as she pulled the vamp into the shadows, "Whether or not she needs you anymore... I do. Just remember that, ok? We all need you." Cordelia smiled only to shreik in pain, as she clutched her head.
What she saw struck fear in her heart. "The baby... the baby is the key. It is the one who..." Cordelia tried to finish only to find herself too overwhelmed. Angel picked her up and brought her to the bed, than ran to shut the curtains.
"Cordelia what about the baby?" Angel tried to reach the girl laying in front of him, but it was no use.
Angel heard a crash at the door downstairs, he ran to the stairwell only to gasped in shock.
"Sorry to crash the party... daddy..."
::END SIX::