The Retribution of Cordelia Chase
by Red
The Retribution of Cordelia Chase
[reviews]
[Joss' people, just playing here.]
Buffy stared out the window, her head resting on Willow's shoulder. Xander sat behind the steering wheel and in the back seat, Dawn and Anya slept.
"She still loves you."
Willow's voice was soft, gentle, not what one would expect at first glance.
"How can you be sure?" he asked, not removing his eyes from the road.
She smiled.
"I can feel it. It's practically suffocating her. Trust me, she will be yours again."
He peeked in the rearview mirror at the sleeping demon and smiled.
"I miss her," he sadly stated. "Everything about her, I miss. Making her waffles, her arms around me and the way she jumps up on the sofa and screams when Bugs Bunny comes on."
Buffy giggled and nuzzled Willow's neck. Xander looked at her and chuckled.
"Gotta tell ya, Will," he began, turning his brown eyes back to the dark highway, "this whole you and Buf thing, extremely arousing."
Willow chuckled and Buffy purred.
"Thought ya missed Anya?" she teased, giving him a brow.
"I do, just stating the obvious here. Although I have to say, in all of my deepest fantasies, you going all dark and evil, never part of the plan."
"She's not evil," Buffy said, her hazel eyes on Xander accusingly. "Warren was evil. He killed our friend, Willow's love and he deserved what he got. "
He looked at her.
"Whoa, on your side here, remember?" he quipped. "I am all for the, Warren got what he deserved! Just pointing out that Will's changed a bit. The hair alone makes a big ol' case for the evil theory."
Buffy glanced up and frowned.
"I miss red," she said.
"As soon as we take care of our business out here, baby, I'll be red again," she promised, placing a soft kiss on the Slayer's lips.
They were jolted out of their tender moment by the swerving of the car.
"Xander! Eyes on road!"
He grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, Will," he mumbled, pulling off onto the L.A. exit ramp.
*****
Angel paced the lobby of the Hyperion. It had been several hours since Cordelia had informed him of Willow's letter and despite all efforts, he had not been able to reach anyone in Sunnydale. (Informed as in, just the evil, coming to get you parts. She had chosen to leave the, you want Angel parts out.)
"Anything?" he anxiously asked, as Gunn came through the door.
"Nothing, man, sorry, " the handsome black man replied, shaking his head.
Angel growled and slammed a fist into the wall.
"I'm going!"
"You can't, Angel. What about Conner? "
"He'll be fine. This is his home now. Besides, I'll only be gone for a little while. "
"You heard what Cordy said. That Willow chick is gone, man! Black magic, skinnin' people, fighting her best friends! "
"My friends! They need me. Willow needs me. I have to help her, Gunn. I can't lose her to the evil. I can't let Buffy lose her."
"I'm never going to lose Will."
They turned to the doorway, where Buffy and Willow stood, hand in hand. It took Gunn exactly half a second to move as far back as possible, behind the counter. Angel stood where he was, his eyes going from Buffy, to Willow and back again.
"I'm hers, for always," the Slayer continued, as they made their way over to the vampire. "And she's mine. Right, Will?"
Willow kept her eyes on Angel.
"Right, Buffy. She's my slayer now, Angel. You lose."
"Willow, you don't have to do this. It's not too late, I can help you."
"I always liked you, Angel," she said, her voice soft. "You were like the big brother, always looking out for us, for me. But then, you left. You just walked away from the best thing you ever had." She paused and kissed Buffy, then went on. "She's so good, Angel. Her taste, her feel, her smell, everything about her is delicious."
She smiled and Angel felt a chill shoot through him. This wasn't Willow. Not the Willow he knew.
"She's so passionate, Angel, insatiable. She can never get enough. Of me, that is. And her face, when she comes, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, enjoying the visual, then added, " The way she screams my name, that raspy voice begging for me, goddess! I get wet just thinking about it! "
"Damn!" Angel turned and glared at Gunn. "Sorry man, " he said, clearing his throat.
Willow smiled at the man behind the counter.
"You're cute," she purred, her now green eyes taking him in. "You're good, honest, decent. And you've been hurt, lost someone you loved very much, a sister. I am sorry for your pain."
Gunn didn't know what to say. He knew he should be afraid of this woman, but he wasn't. Something about her was almost soothing and he found himself walking out from behind the counter and over to her.
" You're more than cute, sweetie," Willow mused, nodding her approval at his tall form. " You're hot. "
"Get out of here, Gunn," Angel ordered, holding an arm up to keep him back.
"He is in no danger," Willow said, and both Angel and Gunn watched as Buffy trailed her tongue across her neck. "Hmmm, Slayer, not now," she murmured. "Business first."
Buffy reluctantly moved away, her eyes turning to the stunned vamp.
"Gunn, I will not hurt you," Willow said, her eyes on his. But you should leave. And take your girlfriend upstairs."
His mouth fell open. How did she know about Fred? Willow smiled.
"She's beautiful, innocent. You two will be very happy together. Get her and go, now. Your future waits, with open arms. Go to it."
He turned and ran up the stairs, her words echoing in his head. Willow looked at Angel.
"I have Cordelia," she stated, her smile growing.
"Willow, don't-"
"Silence!"
He tried to speak, but couldn't. Buffy giggled. Willow waved a hand in the air, muttered a few words and the three of them disappeared.