Here and Now

Sorry this took so long. I had to figure out a way to… oh screw it. You don’t really care or need to know, do you? U just want the

update, don’t you? Don’t you?! Well, alright. Here it is, without further ado. Just know that this chapter takes place, oh, let’s say,

about a week later from the last chapter.

Thanks to Anon, Kimber, Katrina, and everyone else who’s reviewed so far!

Ciao!


Friday- 6:00 p.m.


Angel was distraught. He didn’t know what to do with himself. He hadn’t spoken to Cordy in about a week. He’d meant to go
visit her- he really had. But then, Connor got an ear infection. Connor would always be his number one priority. By the time he
was well again, an entire week had passed him by. After much contemplation, he left work early that day so that he may make a
few visits. The first- Darla’s grave.

He bought her a bouquet of white lilies to put upon her grave. He hadn’t visited her in a few months, and felt terribly guilty about it. But he realized that afternoon that he must move on. He didn’t want Connor to grow up with a ghost hanging over his head. If it hadn’t been for Spike and Wes, his home would probably resemble an eerie shrine to his beloved today. He wouldn’t stop visiting, but he knew that now was the time to let her go. Her death had not been his fault, and he decided to finally accept that. His spirit no longer felt tied down. He knew that Cordelia was part of the reason why. No longer was he bound to guilt.

As he got out of his car and walked towards her front door, he couldn’t stop the feeling of worry that seemed to be plaguing him. True, he had not contacted her, but she had not contacted him as well. He hoped that she would take his peace offering- two beautiful bouquets of red roses and a sincere apology.

Ringing the buzzer to her apartment, he waited patiently for her to answer. Thirty seconds later, he rang it again. This time, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Cordy- it’s me, Angel. Can I come up please?” She heard the pleading tone of his voice. Not answering him, she merely buzzed him up.

‘At least she’s letting me in.’ He thought while he opened the door and headed towards the elevator.

***********

Cordelia ran to the bathroom as soon as she hit the buzzer. She had minor baggage under her eyes, but that couldn’t be helped. She hadn’t gotten much sleep the past week. Or maybe it was stress? She didn’t know. But it didn’t matter. He finally came.

Smoothing her hair back into a pony tail, she thought about why he came. She hoped it was to make amends and maybe start fresh or something, as opposed to, oh say, breaking it off completely with her. She would have called him again, but thought that maybe he needed a little space. She hoped she was right, and that things between them would finally be better. After double checking her clothes and spraying on just a smidgen of her Victoria’s Secret True Love, she went to the door and waited for him.

Poking her head out, she saw him coming down the corridor with one hand behind his back. With a hand on her hip and an arch of an eyebrow, she asked, “Well, what took you so long, Bubba?” She may have been a nervous wreck the past week, but it didn’t mean that he had to know that. Angel gave her a confused look in return before responding.

“Cordelia- um… Can I come in?”

“Yeah, okay.” She said, stepping to the side and letting him in. After closing and locking the door, she turned around surprised to see the flowers in his hand.

“Wow. They’re gorgeous. Are they real?” She asked with a look of awe on her face, reaching out her hand to touch a velvety red petal.

“Yeah. I suppose I could’ve gone for the fake, yet realistic looking ones, but-“

“No, they’re beautiful. I’ve just never seen roses quite like this before. They’re so big, and red, and soft…” She trailed off, leaning down slightly to take a whiff of them.

“What’s the special occasion?” She asked, looking at him briefly.

“Um, none. It’s just… I’m sorry. I’ve been neglecting you.” She gave him a mock look of surprise at the admission.

“Really? Hmph. Hadn’t noticed.” She said lightly, taking the flowers and disappearing into her kitchen.

“I’ll be right back; just gonna put these in water.”

“Cordy- can we just talk about this? Please?” He asked, following her.

“Talk about what Angel? You needed your space, I was a little fast paced… Hey, that rhymed.” She said, totally ignoring his looks of confusion.

“Look, I’m sorry that I hurt you. I just… well I’m over it.”

“Oh? You’re over it? Well maybe I’m over you, mister!” She said, turning abruptly and poking him repeatedly in the chest.

“Ow, stop that! If you don’t want to be with me anymore, then-“

“No, no! I was just really upset and… I’m sorry.” She said, looking up at him with big eyes filled with sadness.

“For what?” He asked softly, caressing the side of her face. She exhaled.

“I know that, I can come on a little strong sometimes, aggressive, or, or even abrasive at times, but-“ The ringing of his cell phone cut her speech short.

“Sorry.” He said with an apologetic smile. “Can I have a sec?” She nodded in agreement with a shy smile of her own.

“Spike, what’s up? What? No, I’ll be right there.” He said, hanging up the phone. His face all of a sudden became worrisome.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Dawn.”

“Oh. Who’s Dawn?”

“Spike’s daughter.”

“He has a daughter? Gee, where the hell was I at?”

“Cordy, I have to go.”

“What happened? Can I help?”

“Dawn, she’s… she’s missing.”


**********

Earlier that day at 3:25 p.m.


“Hands! Hands in new places!! Oh god… Willow.” Xander continued moan as he lay on the bed. He tried helplessly to see what else his wife had learned, but he couldn’t sit up. It was against the rules. His hands were tied to the headboard with his silk ties, his ankles bound by Willow’s scarves to the foot of the bed. Currently, she was licking and stroking the sensitive area between his balls and his ass while vigorously stroking him. It was driving him insane. He gave a little yelp when she stuck her index finger inside of him before placing her mouth on his rigid shaft, causing his eyes to roll back.

“Oh, that feels so good. That doesn’t like, make me sorta gay for liking… Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but-“

“Quiet Xander. Just relax and enjoy. You know how I like to play.” She said, right before she lightly scraped her teeth over his sensitive tip. He shuddered and moaned louder.

“Okay. Sorry. But what about Jesse?”

“Car pool. He’s at the Kerrington’s visiting Peter and his other friends. Now quiet you before I have to get *really* rough.” She said with a glint in her eyes.

“Ooh… Daddy like…” Xander trailed off, closing his eyes in anticipation.

It was true that their son was all taken care of- playing happily about a mile away at a friend’s house. But Willow *had* forgotten something, or rather, someone. Spike had another meeting with his editor earlier that day, and he needed someone to pick up Dawn. She was getting out of school in five minutes from serving her fifth consecutive detention. Time was tick, tick, ticking away. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be Willow waiting for her…

*********
TBC

Next chapter should be up later this week (no, seriously!) Hope you enjoyed this one.