Secrets

Disclaimer: Refer to chap 1

Notes: Smut to come in Chapter 3, promise!

Feedback: Yes, please. Yes. Yes. YES.

~~~

Chapter 2: Visitor

The next night Cordy entered the lobby just in time to hear a girl yell ‘catch’. A square crystal paperweight sailed across the lobby and the seer moved forward to see Angel catch it.

“Your turn.” Angel said, a smile on his face. He placed the paperweight in a trashcan beside him then picked up a tube of lipstick off the counter. “Peach berry, stay or go?”

“Go.” Fiona called from some unseen part of the lower floor.

Angel threw the makeup away and picked up a blue ball filled with pixie glitter. “Stay or go?”

“Stay.” The girl called and Angel threw the globe across the room. Cordelia heard a yelp and watched as Fiona dived into view barely catching the fragile orb.

“Nice save.” Angel said with a grin.

“Lousy throw.” Fiona replied standing up and tossing the ball into a box of clothes by her feet.

“What’s the fun if you don’t have to move around a bit.” Angel said.

“Pfft. Funny, Angel.” Fiona said picking up a bottle of water and splashing some on the vampire. Cordelia stared wide-eyed as Angel ran towards Fiona playfully ing ing her up and throwing her over his shoulder. He spun around a few times then sat the laughing girl on her feet but kept his arms around her waist.

There is definately alot more going on here than i know, the seer thought.

“Hey.” She called out.

“Cordelia. Hi.” Angel said separating from Fiona. “Cordy this Fiona, Fi meet Cordy.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” Fiona said.

“Likewise.”

“I better get the rest of my stuff upstairs.” Fiona said picking up the box of clothes and putting the last few items on the counter into it. Then she disappeared up the stairs.

“You two seem friendly. I didn’t know you were close.” Cordelia said.

“Doyle introduced us a while ago. She calls from time to time.” Angel said.

“Oh. I see.” Cordy said moving beside him and sliding up onto the counter. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

“Yes, the one type of work I know you hate more than anything but it has to be done.”

“I don’t wanna file!” Cordy groaned and Angel laughed.

“I’m joking. I need you to go shopping for me. Now that I have someone of the human variety staying here we need a few things. Like a bigger fridge and groceries to put in it. Fiona needs some lamps and a few pieces of furniture for her room. Stuff like that.”

“Wow. You just asked me to go shopping and made a joke in the same sentence, should I be worried?”

“No. My credit cards and a list of things are on your desk.” Angel said moving around the front desk.

“Cool.” Cordy followed and took the things off her desk. She glanced over the list quickly. “Angel, some of the stuff on this list are seriously expensive. How are you gonna pay for it?”

“Fiona has the cash, she put it all in my account.” He told her. “Have the bigger things delivered here, okay?”

“You got it.” The seer said then walked toward the door.

“Oh and Fi said since you’re doing this for her you can get some things for yourself. She mentioned something about blue boxes.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and don’t bother arguing. When Fiona says something she means it and believe me, she can afford it. None of those cards have a limit. Treat yourself.” Angel said with a smile.

“I really like that girl.” Cordy said bouncing out of the lobby.

“You can stop lurking now.” Angel called toward the stairs. “She’s gone.”

“You were right. Cordelia is very easy to get along with.” Fiona said as she made her way to his desk.

“Let’s just hope she’s so euphoric in her post-shopping bliss that she doesn’t think about where all that money came from. She knows the Doyle’s weren’t very well off.”

“If she asks tell her my mom married into the family and that all the cash came from her side.”

“That will work.” Angel said. “I hope you realize she’s going to spend a fortune, just on the things you wanted alone.”

“I know and it’s fine. You know I’ve made some very sound investments and my music software is selling out of every store. Cordy could buy the whole LA branch of Tiffany’s and not make a dent in my savings. I’m set for the next three life times, at least.”

“Yeah, just don’t spoil her too much. There is a reason Doyle called her Princess, she went from riches to rags and the new Cordy is definitely an improved version.”

“I won’t. Much.” Fiona said with a grin. “What time are Wesley and Gunn coming in?”

“They’re not. I suggested they take the night unless Cordy has a vision.”

“So we have the place to ourselves?” Fiona asked leaning toward Angel with smirk.

“Completely.” Angel said pulling her off the desk and into his lap.

“I’ll race you upstairs.” Fiona said jumping up and taking off.


The next night found the pair reading on the leather couch in Angel’s office. Angel was lying on the couch with Fiona leaning against his chest. The bell sounded from the front desk and Fi leaned forward so he could get up. She followed him out front.

“Can I help you?” He asked.

“I have a delivery for a Miss O’Riley. From Jameson Music supply.”

“That’s me.” Fiona said extending her hand for the clipboard the man held. She signed her name and returned it.

“We have a Richmond Grand piano, is that right?” The man asked.

“Yep. Angel, where should I have them put it?”

“I had Cordy send some cleaners to fix up the ballroom earlier today, we can put it there.” Angel said then pointed off to the right. “Threw those double doors.”

The man nodded and made his way back to the other men by the hotel door. As they wheeled the piano threw the lobby Gunn and Wesley came in.

“What’s that?” Gunn asked.

“Fiona bought it.” Angel said.

“I presume this is she?” Wesley asked pointing to the girl.

“It is.” Fiona said extending her hand. “Fiona O’Riley.”

“Wesley Wyndam-Pryce. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Fiona said.

“I’m Gunn.” The youth said and Angel applauded him for not openly drooling. The vampire hunter was leering at Fi like she was a piece of meat and he’d been living on carrots for a year.

“Angel’s told me lot about both of you.” Fiona said. She too had noticed the look Gunn gave her and Angel had to squelch down a pang of jealousy as the girl smiled flirtatiously at his co-worker. He had to remember that since their arrangement had begun she had been fairly isolated. She wasn’t used to that kind of attention from the opposite sex. What they had was purely physical and it was rare he paid her that kind of appreciative attention. He’d have to make an attempt to change that.

“I take it you play?” Wesley said motioning to the piano.

“Yeah. I have since I was a little girl. I think I played before I talked.” Fiona said with a smile.

“It’s wonderful that someone your age has such a passion for an instrument of the more classical persuasion. Most young people today would probably rather play a guitar rather than a piano.”

Fiona nodded her agreement, which led into a deep discussion of modern and classical music. Gunn wondered over to the weapons cabinet to look at some of Angel's newer toys and the vampire went back into his office to read. He came out again when he heard the sounds of music from the ballroom. He entered to find Fiona seated at the piano playing. He recognized it as an old Nina Simone tune but Angel had trouble placing the song until Fiona began to sing softly, to soft for a human to hear.


*My baby never treats me,

Sweet Angel,

The way he should

I got it bad

And that ain’t good

No, that ain’t good

My poor heart is sentimental

Not made of wood

Cause I’ve got it bad

And that ain’t good

And when the weekend’s over

And Monday rolls around*


For a moment her voice dropped so low Angel couldn’t make out her words. He moved forward until he was standing next to her. She glanced up at him and smiled so he sat down next to her as she continued to sing.


*Just crying my poor heart out

He don't love me like I love him

The way he should

The way he should

Because I got it so bad

thatthat ain’t good

I got it bad

And that ain’t good*


“Your voice was meant to sing the blues.” Angel said after the last note trailed off.

“Ironic, isn’t it?” She said.

“Where did Wesley and Gunn go?” He asked trying to ignore the sadness in her voice.

“They finished a few things then headed home. They told me to tell you to call if anything came up.” She said playing the first few lines of a Tori Amos song.

“I love that song.” Cordy said as she walked in.

“Me too. That whole CD is great.” Fiona said. “Any requests?”

“The song you wrote for Doyle.” Angel said.

Fiona nodded and Cordelia sat on her other side.


*If you’re gonna jump

Hey you, hang on

If you feel like giving up

Hey you, hang on

I won’t forget today

The sun is bright

The sky is blue, yeah

The pain will go away

In another year or two

If you’ve got a phone

Hey you, call home

If you’ve got a voice

Hey you, rejoice

I won’t forget today

The sun is bright

The sky is blue, yeah

I won’t forget to pray

Day is night

The world is new, yeah

The pain will go away

In another year or two

In a hundred years or two

If you’re gonna fly

Hey you, don’t cry

You’ve gotta live to die

Hey you, goodbye

I won’t forget today

The sun is bright

The sky is blue, yeah

I won’t forget to pray

Day is night

The world is new, yeah

The pain will go away

In another year or two

In a hundred years or two

In a thousand years or two*


Angel watched as Cordelia wiped away a few tears that had fallen while Fiona sang. He too had cried the first time he heard the tribute to their late friend.

“That was amazing.” The seer said.

“Thank you.”

“Were you and Doyle close?” Cordelia asked. She already knew the answer due to the numerous entries he had mentioned Fiona in.

“Yes. He was my best friend.” Fiona said softly.

“He would have liked it.” Cordelia said.

“I like to think so. Thank you for getting this for me, it’s perfect. I hate shopping.”

“Believe me, it’s no problem. You’re furniture and fridge should be here within the hour. The food’s on the front desk.”

“Great.”

“So I guess this means you’re staying awhile?” Cordy asked.

“Yeah. I like it here.” Fiona said glancing briefly at Angel.

“Good, this place could use another girl. Not to mention someone who needs a personal shopper.”

“You are more than welcome to fulfil all my shopping needs.” Fiona said rising from the long piano bench.

She was sorting through the items Cordy had bought when the furniture men arrived. She led them to her room and instructed them where to put each piece. After it was finished she sat down in her new brown suede chair and looked around. This was the second largest room in the hotel; she’d chosen it not only for its size but also because of the connecting bathroom, which then led to Angel’s room. She could move freely to Angel’s bedroom and back to her own room whenever she wanted without anyone else in the hotel knowing. That would come in handy on the frequent late nights when the other employees of Angel Investigations stayed over.

With a final approving glance she went back downstairs to put the food away. She entered the lobby to find Angel and Cordy talking to a green skinned demon that she assumed was Lorne.

“Everything okay?” Cordelia asked.

“Yep. You have great taste.” Fi said with a smile.

“Fiona this is Lorne.” Angel said.

Fi smiled a greeting. “I’ll let the three of you talk.” She said moving towards the ballroom.

She sat down at the piano and played softly; careful not to sing knowing what Lorne was capable of. She was near the end of Fiona Apple’s ‘The Child Is Gone’ when Cordy stuck her head in the door and told her that she and Angel needed to go out for a while. She was still seated at the piano when Angel came back 2 hours later.

“Trouble?” She asked stretching her arms forward and flexing her stiff fingers.

“Nothing serious. Just some demons outside Caritas scaring customers away.” Angel moved behind her and gently massaged her sore shoulders. “Have you been playing the whole time I was gone?”

“Yeah, I guess I just got carried away. Lost track of time, you know?”

Angel nodded then grinned when her head fell to the side to allow him better access and she groaned softly.

“That feels really good.” Fiona murmured her head dropping forward.

Angel sat down behind her and she leaned against him sighing contentedly.

“Better?” He asked dropping a kiss onto the nape of her neck.

“Much. Thanks.” She said and moved her hands to his thighs, using her purchase there to pull herself backwards so they were pressed firmly together. “I have to say, I’m loving this new arrangement.”

He laughed softly and ran his hands down her neck and over her breasts. “Me too.” He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck and she moaned. Then her body went ridged.

“Someone’s here.” She said.

Angel groaned and got up. “Yeah. Come on.”

She followed him to the lobby and almost smacked into him when he stopped.

“Buffy.” He whispered, gazing at the pretty blonde girl standing in the middle of the lobby.


~TBC~