Timeline

Chapter 15


Spike stared around the room.Confusion reigned down on him in buckets. Fright evident on his face.He morphed and lunged for Angel, knocking both Angel and Buffy to the ground. Gunn flew across the room and lifted Spike up by his collar, holding the stake above his own head, ready to do the deed.
"NO!" Buffy shouted .
Spike turned his head to see the stake Gunn had raised at him. Tears streamed down Spikes face. Gunn slowly put Spike down and lowered the stake.Angel moved Buffy away from Spike and sat up .
"What am I doing here and where the hell am I ?" His voice was quiet and hoarse.
"Your in my hotel and I'd like to know what your doing here too" Angel said agrily. "And why did you attack me?"
"Your the bloody ponce that gave me the Liz Taylor bauble to wear , go figure!"
Buffy was still sat on the floor , Angel had stood up.Everyone else was still trying to get their focus.
"Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse" Angel huffed .He rubbed his forehead and went into the foyer.
The potentials all hyper and chatting now , did nothing to ease the built up tension in Angels head.
"Go do something other than swarm my Hotel and gossip " He barked at them.
The girls all disbanded and ran upstairs to their rooms .Angel couldn't help but liken them to ants fleeing the scene.He sat on the circular seat and sighed deeply.He tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling.
Wesley came and sat next to Angel
"If you have come to tell me I was harsh on the girl's save it"
"No I haven't , actually I thought it was long overdue" Wesley said
A slight laugh left the both of them.
"So , out with it Wes"
"I think it's safe to say there can't be anymore surprises,Cordelia has been consulting with Wolfram and Hart since her return to us.Spike , Liam , your human, Buffy said she got valuable information from the Liason.All in all I think we can rectify our mistakes and come out of this O.K."
Angel snorted." I really doubt that"
Wesley patted him on the shoulder . "Buffy took out Wolfram and Hart , thats got to be a plus."
"How long do you think it will take them to set up again.Like Holland said , as long as there are people in the world they will have an office here."
"Is this defeatists annon and can anyone join" Buffy said as she came out of the office , Spike in tow.
"Pull up a chair.I believe Angel's the C.E.O" Wesley said
They all laughed and Buffy slumped next to Angel. Spike stood the other side of Buffy.
"Angel , I need to go and talk with Spike privately."Buffy said in a quiet tone.
"Why , what could you possibly have to talk to him about,privately?"
"Please don't be difficult,it's been a long day and I'm not in the mood for any petty jealousy" She aimed it at the two of them.
Angel huffed and folded his arms.It was his way of showing defeat. Buffy smiled at him and kissed him on cheek.She indicated towards the garden and Spike followed her out there.
"So back to the world of the unliving, must be a shock for you"
"Yeah it is, how long was I dead-er for"
"Three months give or take a few days"
"Still , good to see you moved on, Athough , Captain forehead of all people?"
"Don't call him that! And things have changed, for him I mean"
"Heartbeat, heard it when I attacked him.How did that happen?"
"Willow , but we think someone else had their hands in it too."
"Sounds to me like you guys have got alot on at the moment." Spike sniffed "Sounds like you could use another pair of hands."
"Oh , I think theres way to many here already, not that I don't want you here, cos I do , I really do"
She rested her head on Spike's shoulder. Spike wrapped his arm around her waist and enjoyed the contact.

Angel watched and immediately went red in the face.How could she?
Lorne watched Angel.He leaned to Angel's ear and said " I'm getting older brother from her now, when she's with you I get key'rumption.Your the love of her life.There's love with those two, purely platonic"
Angel turned and smiled at Lorne, "Thankyou"
"Don't sweat it Champ, not about those two anyway.Now our Queen of Pylea .... Hmmm I don't envy you"
"Tell me"
"When she came back from the higher plain, she told us it's to put you back on your path."
"I remember"
"Well what came back wasn't our Cordy and it wasn't to put you back on your path, it was to divert you from it in a big way"
" But she still got the visions and has told me about them, I've still saved peoples lives."
"The insignificant ones, yes.She didn't tell you about alot of the others.She told the lawyers instead."
"Why , what was to gain by her doing that"
" You "
"I'm sorry , You lost me"
"Cordy has been setting you up for a huge fall. A fall for her. Looked like she may have gotten her way if a certain blonde hadn't come along"
"Buffy "
"The one and only. Can I just say she is divine, by the way.Got a real glow about her"
Angel smiled and peeked at her "Yes she really is"
"Cordys demon woke up when she ascended and now it is doing it's thing"
"Can we get the demon out , An exorcism or something"
"No can do.Do that and Cordy will die , either from the ritual itself or from the first vision she has afterwards."
"So I lose her , no matter what I do"
"Skip , her demon guide, he may have some answers.Find him and maybe you could get lucky"
"Thanks again Lorne". He smiled at Lorne and turned his focus back to Buffy.

"Buffy , I need to tell you something.Something you may not know already"
"What's it about "
"You"
"O.K. Is this bad , cos I've had enough bad today,I'm tapped out"
"Depends how you see it "
"Now suspense is killing me ,just spill already"
"Maybe you wanna get the poof out here too .He really needs to know."
" Tell me first , I'll decide if he needs to know"
"You sure? D'ya want to sit down?"
"Are we playing twenty questions? For god sake just tell me"
" I hear two heartbeats.One's faint but it's there"
"I'm tired Spike, what are you going on about?"
"Buffy" He took her forearms and sat her on the edge of the fountain" Your having a baby"
Her jaw dropped to the floor, tears filled her eyes.
Angel saw her reaction and swung the door open, jumping over the rail to her.He pushed Spike out the way and knelt in front of Buffy .Her mouth still gaping open .She slowly looked at Spike , who just nodded.He backed away from them and said "Congrats"
"Buffy?"Angels voice was soft "Whats wrong?"
"What did you do to her " he yelled at Spike
Spike just put both hands up in mock surrender.
Buffy looked down at him , she lifted her hand to his face " I don't know how to say it"
Angel feared the worst, after all this had been the worst day ever " Just say it Buff , I don't think you could make ....." His words trailed off as Buffy took his hand and placed it on her abdomen.
"Daddy" .Is all she could say.
Angel grabbed her up in his arms and spun them round, kissing her face and neck.Buffy squeeled .
Spike stood in the doorway with Lorne, watching the two of them.
"I wasn't going to say anything til this mess was sorted , but I guess they need some good news right now" Lorne said
Spike watched as Lorne walked to the front desk and sipped his sea breeze. His stomach growled at him.
He went into the kitchen and helped himself to some blood Angel had Got for Liam.While helping himself to the blood he raided the fridge for a few leftovers .
Hang on he thought to himself , if the poofs human , why does he have 0'neg in the frige.He would take that one up with him later.
Angel finally put Buffy down.He paced backwards and forwards rubbing his chin , a huge smile still planted on his face.
"You have to stop patroling.We have to baby proof the hotel.We got to go shopping.We are going to need so much!"
"Calm down , we don't know if Spikes right , yet alone how far I am."
"Sing , sing for Lorne" He pulled her into the foyer "Lorne read Buffy"
"Ah , O.K. If it gets you to calm down." Buffy cleared her throat and sang " If I could then I would , I 'd go wherever you will go ,way up high or down low , I'll go wherever you will go"
Lorne beamed "Spikes told you the truth." He raised his glass "To you Mom and Dad. And I'd say , you got six months left"
"Oh my god!" Buffy sat down on the circualr seat.
Angel ran into the office and called everyone into the foyer. Buffy still sat down, shocked by the nights revelation.Once everyone was gathered together Angel went and sat with Buffy.He picked up her hand and kissed it.Most of the gang thought he must have proposed.
"Buffy and I .... we .... um ....... We're "
"Spit it out , man" Gunn said , smiling.
"We're having a baby"
Everyone rushed at them and hugged them.

Cordy stood at the top of the stairs. After listening to the good news , she turned and went back to her room.More things were broken in her temper.

Finally everyone filtered off to bed and Buffy and Angel made their way to their room. Angel shut the door as Buffy threw herself onto the bed.She laid on her back and stroked her stomach. Angel laid next to her and kissed her cheek.
"Thankyou "
"What for"
"For making me the happiest I have ever been". He leaned over and kissed her again.
Buffy wrapped her arms round his neck and pulled him into her.She started to undo his shirt.
"Maybe we shouldn't Buff"
"You can take the man outta the 1870's but you can't take the 1870's outta the man"
They both laughed.
"I'll be gentle then" and he smothered her with his body,kissing her tenderly.


The sun shone in through the curtains and stirred Buffy from her sleep.She glanced at the clock and groaned.It was eleven am. It had been a while since she last had a lie in like this. The aroma of baking and fresh coffee wafted into the room. Buffy rubbed her eyes and stretched. Finally after ten minutes , she wandered to the bathroom. She ran the shower and came from the bathroom . As she opened her wardrobe she noticed a note on her dresser and a single rose in a long vase.She smiled and opened the note.
Buffy
Come down to the garden
A x

She rushed her shower and just tied her hair back .She tried her favourite jeans on and had trouble doing them up .She threw on her linen trousers and a pale lilac silk top. She ran downstairs humming.
"Morning" she said to the people who were buzzing around the foyer.
She opened the doors to the garden and stood against the rail.
"Angel?"
"In the car"
Buffy made her way round to the parking lot and there he was , sat in the car.
"Going somewhere?"
"Get in"
" I figured we could do with a break and everyone agreed with me.I'm taking you shopping , then we will have lunch, followed by a walk on the beach"
"Sounds perfect" She climbed into the car"
"Cars have doors"
"I know , just think its more fun that way"
"I think you may not think that in another three months "
"By then I'll need a crane to get me in here"
Angel laughed and pulled her to his side. "I love you" he said .
"Even when I'm fat and swollen"
"I'll love you more then"
They pulled out of the drive .


Faith had spent the night going over the days events with Wesley. She cursed at Buffy for going into the lions den without her.Faith had worked for the law firm once and had tried to take Angel out for them. She found it hard to believe that Cordy was working against Angel and had conspired with Wolfram and Hart. She was even more shocked to hear about Spike and was unnerved to see him walking around. She took the news of Buffy's pregnancy well , even offering to take the slack so she could rest up. After catching up on everything she made her excuses and retired to Robin's room.


Willow had spent the night going over some witchcraft books. The spells Cordy had been using had been pretty powerful .Willow knew that kind of power only came from the dark arts.She had been addicted to that power before and knew the appeal it held. Willow and Wesley had gone through the books Giles had bought with him and had found a demon that could possibly be the one that had possessed Cordy.
They all agreed it was best for Angel to not be there when they confronted Cordy / it. Giles, Willow and Wesley gathered the herbs , oils and potions they would need to prtect themselves and the rest of the inhabitants of the hotel , possibly L.A.
"So we agree this is the way we should go" Wesley said " Trylack demon, who would of thought it"
"I do , are we sure it will work , last thing we need to do ,is set free the demon and not be able to banish it" Willow asked
"We are as sure as we can be.It looks simple enough and with the power you hold Willow , I feel confident"
"I'm glad you do Giles" Willow said shakily
"This coming from the woman who turned the world of potentials into full slayers with minimal effort" Giles took off his glasses and cleaned them. "We need some of the slayers to guard the hotel and the exit points, should it try to escape"
Willow replied " I told Kennedy and she has rounded up the strongest and most capable slayers. The girls will go into their positions on kennedy's signal.I still think we should tell Angel , after all she is his seer"
"The man has had enough to cope with this past few months, and with Buffy's pregnancy, it's safer they aren't here" Giles said . He continued " If we have everything we need may I suggest , we get this over with"
The displeasure at the task ahead obvious. The three of them headed up the stairs .


Buffy could sense something wasn't right and told Angel to turn the car around and take her home.Angel spun the car round in a U turn and hit the gas.

Cordelia stood in front of her window watching the people going about their normal everyday lives.She wondered how they could be oblivious to the world she lived in.To be totally ignorant .To not know of demons and vampires and the underworld that flowed with evil.She laughed , why do I care?
Cordelia had always had an attitude that she was better than everyone else. Even at Sunnydale High, she had been called Queen C. Keeping up her appearance had started to take it's toll .Her skin had become mottled and her eyes were hazed .She tied her hair back and went to the mirror. She leaned forwards and ran her hands over her face.I look ill , she thought to herself.Cordy chanted something and her features morphed back to her usual beautiful face.The demon inside her churned. Cordy sniffed the air. "Urgggh , wolves bain and rosehip.Time to get the show on the road " she said to herself. She stood in the centre of her room .
Willow , Giles and Wesley walked up the stairs , all taking it in turns to do the incantation
Willow : "Once was , no more shall be , cast the demon far from me.Not of the living and not of this world, born from darkness and of cold,be gone from body mind and soul"
Giles : "Once was , no more shall be , cast the demon far from me.Not of the living and not of this world, born from darkness and of cold,be gone from body mind and soul"
Wesley : "Once was , no more shall be , cast the demon far from me.Not of the living and not of this world, born from darkness and of cold,be gone from body mind and soul"

They reach the top of the stairs and repeated the incantation. When they finally reached Cordelia's door ,it swung open.Cordy stood in the middle of her room, she had taken on her demon guise.

"Well , well , I wondered when you guys would finally get round to dealing with me.I have to say I am disappointed , I was hoping that bitch of a slayer would be here. Not like her to miss out on some action, plus the opportunity to knock Cordelia off her throne , thought it would be for her to hard to miss"
"Angel and Buffy had to go out" Willow said
"Had to? Now now Willow ,don't lie. You wanted them gone .You didn't think Angel would let you kill me, attempt to anyway.And as for Buffy , you didn't want the child harmed "
The fact that Cordy knew , shook them all .She was levitating and a dark cloud spun round her .
Willow :" I implore you Goddess , strike it down"
A flash of pure white light leapt from Willow's hands and shot out to Cordy , forcing Cordelia back and down to the ground.Cordy grunted as she hit the floor.
"Vincire" Willow yelled .Green magic energy shot from Willow's hand and formed a band around Cordy's torso, pinning her arms against her body. It glowed with a green light that made Cordy's skin appear green too.
"She'll stay like that for a while, at least long enough for the exorsim." Willow said
"You really think you can do it , don't you ?What do you think Angel would say?"
"He'd say kick that demons ass"
Everyone turned to see Angel stood in the doorway, leaning on the jamb, Buffy beside him.
"Why didn't you guys tell us"? Buffy asked
"It's because they're not sure what they are dealing with "Cordy said " I'm like nothing you have ever dealt with before"
"Oh please , still so full of yourself aren't you.I've faced Gods, demons , all so much worse than you , hey I've even defeated The First Evil , you think your gonna be that hard?"
"Don't antagonize her Buffy " Angel snapped.
"Have you two stopped to think" Cordy said " About everything, as in the big picture?"
Buffy and Angel looked at each other and then back to Cordy.
"You know you have changed history by bringing Liam back , have you done anything to correct that? No. Spikes back but how long for? If you don't change history back , he'll be well , history. And of course champ heres human now .You went and slaughtered Wolfram and Hart , tut tut , now who do you think they are going to come after? To make it worse , you have their super bitch trapped in the basement.Then there's me.His link to the Powers That Be, his Seer,take me out and what does he have?"
"He has me" Buffy said looking up at Cordy , her eyes full of hatred.
"How long for?"
"What do you mean Cordy " Angel said as he stepped forward
"I can't say"
Willow was getting frustrated .She stepped forward and put her hand onto Angel's chest, pushing him back to Buffy's side.
"Lets get this done" Willow said
Wesley annointed the room with the oils while Giles placed the herbs in specific places. Once they had done this they went to Willows side , creating a circle .



Depart, then, transgressor. Depart, seducer, full of lies and cunning, foe of virtue, persecutor of the innocent. Give place, abominable creature, give way, you monster, give way to good, in whom you found none of your works. For I have already stripped you of your powers and laid waste your kingdom, bound you prisoner and plundered your weapons. I cast you forth into the outer darkness, where everlasting ruin awaits you and your abettors. To what purpose do you insolently resist? To what purpose do you brazenly refuse? For you are guilty before me, you have transgressed. You are guilty before me, whom you presumed to tempt. You are guilty before the whole human race, to whom you prof erred by your enticements the poisoned cup of death.
Depart, then, impious one, depart, accursed one, depart with all your deceits, for I will it. Why do you still linger here? I afflict you with the night of blindness in the magician Elyma, and by the mouth of the same apostle bade you to go out of Pythonissa. The soothsayer. Begone, now! Begone, seducer! Your place is in solitude; your abode is in the nest of serpents; get down and crawl with them. This matter brooks no delay; for see. You might delude man, but you cannot mock me. It is I who casts you out, from whose sight nothing is hidden. It is I who repels you, to whose might all things are subject. It is I who expels you,I prepared everlasting hellfire for you and your minions, from whose mouth shall come a sharp sword, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the world by fire."
Willow shot pure white energy from her hands .Cordy glowed white. A scream ripped through the hotel. Wesley placed chrystals in a circle at Cordy's feet, backing away quickly.
Willow continued
" We cast you out, demon , every power, every legion, every diabolical group and sect. We command you, begone , from the soul. No longer dare, cunning serpent, to deceive us, I command you."
Cordy morphed into the demons full guise, screaming and writhing within the bounds of the spell. Cracks appeared in the demon and bright white light seeped from them.The demonic scream was deafening.The cracks spread and widened , finally shattering in a piercing shriek.

Willow fell to the floor exhausted.Buffy helped Willow to the easy chair. All eyes fell on Cordy, who was unconscious.
"Will she be O.K. "Buffy asked
"We don't know , it all depends how long she has been possessed for" Wesley said
Angel was crouched over Cordelia. "Help me get her on the bed"
Buffy helped Angel and looked at him.
" We have to get this mess sorted before the baby comes. I have to go and see the Powers that be."
"I'll come with you"
"No , Buffy , this is my fight, or it's supposed to be, I need you here"
"What will you do"
"What I have to"
Buffy looked into Angel's eyes. Fear shook her to the core.She had seen that look on his face before.