“Then maybe you and me can hang out! Y’know, have a girls day without all the demons. It’s been pretty .. crazy ‘round here lately! I for one, need a break.”
She stares, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, at the other girl. This is the first time that Fred’s ever suggested going any- where but the Hyperion all on her own- - especially after the DISASTER that was their last outing at Caritas.
“I, ah– - sure, that sounds good . Do you want to go out, or what?”
Organizing Giles’ own personal library had been a lot harder than she’d thought. Apart from the fragile nature of some of the more choice texts she’d handled, there was always more of them that seemed to be popping up. Just when she’d had the shelve organized to her liking, she’d find another box of books somewhere in the corner. After that, she’d have to completely tear down the organized shelve, and start again. The list the Englishman had provided to her hadn’t been helping things either. The question had become not how long it would take, but rather, how many books he actually had.
And then there was the fact that some of the volumes were missing. Most had been rescued before the high school had been blown up, the mayor inside with it. But a few were still MIA. At first, Willow had wondered if she had them at the apartment with Tara, but upon further investigation, a phone call with Tara, she’d found that they didn’t have them. That didn’t leave her with many options when it came to where the volumes might be.
And all of that had led her to phoning Cordelia, just to see if Angel might have the volumes at the office.
“Cordelia?” It’s Willow…”
“Willow, hey! It’s been a while.”
Despite the fact that they pretty much stayed in touch (at least compared to the rest of the Sunnydale crew), this was the first time Willow had called in a long while, so hearing her old classmate’s voice over the phone was a pleasant surprise for Cordelia. Though it was highly likely that the reason she was calling was much less pleasant, but they’d get to that eventually.
“Yeah, let’s not talk about that. I was feeling less broody today.”
He sighed, trying to push Buffy’s name out of his mind for the time being. He needed to look like he was in love with Cordelia — not all sad about his ex. The vampire grabbed her hand, trying not to look uncomforable.
“I’m not fidgeting! I’m just trying to used to this idea —- that’s all.”
“You so ARE fidgeting. Jeez, is dating me that hard of an idea to get used to?”
She rolls her eyes, resting her free hand on his arm and pulling him closer. They’re supposed to be madly in love, for Pete’s sake, not awkward teenagers holding hands for the first time!
“Look, just - let me lead this one, okay? Just smile and nod, and put your arm around my waist or something at least mildly romanticif anyone starts getting suspicious.”
He glances up at her, eyes searching her hair, her outfit, and her makeup. Okay, which one was new?
“Oh! I got it, I got it. You —- “
Angel watches her face, trying to read her mind. He sighs, grabing her wrist so that she would stop hitting him with the shoe. He wishes he could read minds.
“ —– Did you get new makeup? Haircut? Shoes? Clothes? Weren’t you wearing something different this morning?”
She rolls her eyes as he grabs her wrist, and so obviously looks her over. He has no idea, does he?
“Oh my god, you’re seriously guessing! You really have no idea at all, do you?”
“Oh. Right. I haven’t been orbiting around planet Buffy in a long time. Is it fair to say that I’m orbiting around planet Cordelia?”
To be honest, she wasn’t wrong. He doesn’t remembering noticing her that often back in Sunnydale. They were compete strangers that just happened to have the same friend group.
“No. I assume that you do? I haven’t had a chance to go to the mall … at all really.”
"…Really?“
Maybe she shouldn’t be as surprised as she is by his admittance, but this is Buffy and Angel they’re talking about– - the eternal star-crossed lovers. The chances of Angel being over her seemed as slim as her father calling up and saying the IRS coming for them had all been a mistake, and they were rich again.
”Of course I do. Even when fighting evil on the daily a girl’s still gotta look good, right?“
Faith nodded, frowning down at the paper cup in her hand as she tried to think of what to say.
“You can’t let yourself go crazy thinkin’ about that though. I know first-hand the kind of screwed up shit going on out there that the Powers don’t give a damn about. But I can’t fix it, I can’t stop any of that the way I can vamps and demons and magic…” She trailed off with a shrug, losing whatever point she was trying make with the reminder that the Powers didn’t actually give a fuck about most people individually. They even screwed over the so-called champions on a semi-regular basis. Why they chose to help at all was a mystery to the slayer.
“…Yeah, you’re right.”
After another moment or two Cordelia was finally able to glance back up, offering a small smile to the other girl. Even though it didn’t make any of this any easier, she knew that Faith was right. The Powers were assholes (she knew that better than anyone else), and other than helping the people she saw, there wasn’t really anything she could do.
“Sorry for being such a downer over this - I’ll be over it in an hour or two, I promise.”
“ Funny thing about redemption; wouldn’t taste as good the second time around. You’ve got nothin’ to be worried about —- still trottin’ the straight & narrow.
“ I was never looking for twelve steps, y’know? It’s just … I’m out here bustin’ my ass makin’ up for … everything, & what do I have to show for it? B’s still dancin’ on my grave along with everyone else in her corner, & … “
There’s a quiet scoff. Why is she letting the proverbial cat out of the bag … to C o r d e l i a ?
“ Screw it. Never mind. Just go let everyone know I haven’t jumped ship yet. I don’t need a babysitter. “
“Do you really think I’d think you need a babysitter, Faith? And if I did, then do you think I’d come? You could kill me easily - so that’s not what I’m here for, obviously.”
She sighs, arms crossing over her chest and gaze shooting up to the ceiling. This is every bit as uncomfortable as she’d expected it to be, but what she came here to say still needs to be said.
“LOOK, I’m not your biggest fan, but I’m not in Buffy’s corner any more either. I’m just… I know what being lonely can do to person, and I want to make sure that’s not happening to you.”
Doyle knocked on the door. "Cordy come on out. I got a surprise fer ye. Angel let me take 'is card." He leaned against the wall, waiting for her. "Don't suppose ye want ta go on a shoppin' spree. Clothes fer ye and if ye'd like, clothes fer me too."
“He let you take it? No way!”
She’s almost childlike in her excitement as she yanks open the door, rushing out of her room to meet Doyle. It’s a rarity that Cordelia gets to go on a shopping spree - in fact, it hasn’t happened at all since her parents lost everything - so she’s practically floating as she flounces her way outside, only pausing to make sure he’s following.
