New Order

Angel and Spike woke mid afternoon and were a little disappointed that Xander wasn’t still tucked between them. Both vampires woke up earlier when the human was wiggling around, trying to get out, but neither stirred as he showered and left the room. They both knew that he wouldn’t go far.



After a quick shower themselves, they dressed for the day and headed to the office to seek out their lover. Both intended to drag him back upstairs for another mind blowing session of sex.



Angel stopped abruptly in the doorway when he realized that Xander wasn’t in the office. Spike wasn’t prepared for his Sire to stop so suddenly and plowed into Angel’s back. Glancing around the body in front of him, Spike was surprised that Xander wasn’t there. Figuring he must be exploring around the hotel somewhere, Spike turned to the guard at the door and asked where they could find him.



Neither vampire was pleased to hear that Xander wasn’t in the hotel. That in fact, he’d left that morning and was not back yet. Growling with rage, both vampires glanced at the sun shining out of the door and were furious that they couldn’t immediately go out to find Xander and drag him back.



The minion cleared his throat, trying to get his master’s attention. After dropping to his knee at a pointed look from Spike, the minions spoke. “Master, the Kor’Chuk demon followed as you requested. The human is not out alone but insisted that he leave for a while. I tried to stop him but did not have any orders to keep him here against his will.”



Angel was slightly relieved to hear that the demon on guard was watching over Xander. He and Spike both realized that they had not ordered Xander to stay at the hotel or ordered the minions to keep him inside. They glanced again at the sun and estimated the amount of time they had to wait before going out to search.



Xander meanwhile had piled all of his purchases outside of the door to Cordelia’s former apartment and realized the foolishness of his mission. He’d shown up here without thinking that someone else may live here now and hesitated before knocking on the door. He wasn’t sure how he could explain that he’d come to visit the ghost that lived here and used to watch out for his now deceased ex-girlfriend.



Deciding to gamble and make up a story as he went, Xander knocked on the door. No one answered. On a whim, he tried the handle. Nope, it was locked. Xander was wishing he kept the cab and decided to say a quick farewell outside the door before heading back to the hotel and Angel and Spike.



He leaned his forehead against the wood and whispered. “Hi Phantom Dennis. You don’t know me. My name’s Xander and I was a friend of Cordelia’s. I don’t really know why I’m here but…”



Xander stopped speaking as the locks clicked and the door to the apartment swung open. There wasn’t anyone on the other side.



Hoping that Phantom Dennis was feeling like a chat, he gathered up as many bags as he could carry and entered the door. His remaining bags floated in behind him and the door shut and locked.



Xander looked around the room. It really was a great place and he could see touches of Cordelia everywhere. He realized with a shock that Cordelia literally was everywhere, well her things actually. It looked as if the apartment were held waiting for her return. Her pictures were on the tables and other knick knacks that spoke of her style were scattered about.



Xander sat down on the sofa and felt the flutter of the ghost around him. He heard movement in the next room and was startled when a glass of ice water floated its way into his hand.



“Thanks, Dennis. I’ve been shopping and didn’t even realize how thirsty I was.” He took a large drink of water and settled down to chat.



“I don’t really know why I’m here. I read about you in Cordelia’s journal last night. I know, I shouldn’t have read it but I miss her sometimes. No one could put you in your place quite like our Queen C.”



“It’s weird knowing she’s not around. Angel told us she died and I just couldn’t believe it. She was always so strong. She could talk her way out of just about anything.”



Xander laughed to himself when he remembered some of his favorite Cordelia moments. The time passed quickly as he told some of them to Dennis. Dennis, in return, floated some pictures and photo albums over to him and he looked through the memories of his high school days with a sentimental rush.



He was so caught up in the past that he didn’t realize how quickly the time had passed. It wasn’t until Dennis turned on a lamp that he realized it was getting dark. With the thought, he realized that he was going to be in big trouble.



He started for the door but Dennis slammed it shut before he could step through. Realizing from Cordelia’s journal that this was Dennis letting him know it wasn’t safe to go out, he turned back towards the room. He asked aloud what he should do and was surprised when the phone left its cradle and moved into his hand.



“Right. Be smart. Call them and let them know where I’m at and that I’m okay. Well as okay as I can be as there is apparently some reason why I shouldn’t leave.”



As he started to dial he realized that he didn’t even know the number. Dennis floated the phone book to him and flipped to a page in the back. Xander looked puzzled at the page until he saw the advertisement for “Angel Investigations”.



He smiled into the air and said a “Thank you” to Phantom Dennis before dialing the phone. It was answered after the first ring by an angry sounding Angel.



Xander hesitated before speaking but felt a nudge from Dennis and proceeded. “Angel? It’s Xan. Um. I’m fine but I’m over at Cordelia’s old apartment and, uh, well apparently Phantom Dennis doesn’t think I should leave just yet, so could you and Spike maybe come over here and get me?”



Angel nearly yelled into the phone but held back when he realized that Xander was fine. He could save the yelling for when he was holding the man in his arms, assured that he is safe.



After telling Xander that they were on their way, Angel and Spike left the hotel in a rush. Phantom Dennis knew when danger was around and protected Cordelia on several occasions. They just hoped that between the ghost and the Kor’Chuk, Xander would be safe until they arrived.