A/N: Okay, I realize I haven't updated this in over six months. I just got out of a very bad situation with my ex... and that's all I'm going to say about that. But I'm safe and happy now in my own place, and back in action, so thank you to everyone that reviewed before and has left comments encouraging me to write, even when I couldn't. ::blows them kisses::

This one's juicy. Hope you enjoy. :)

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The sunlight fell across Cordy’s cheek like a warm caress, assuring her that night had come and gone. She was slow to wake, wrapped in memories of tender kisses, the scents and whispers of incredible lovemaking.

Finally, she stirred, intent on heading to the bathroom. Her inner thighs protested as she moved, and it brought a secret little smile to her lips. She paused in front of the mirror, ran her hands up her stomach, over her breasts, until they touched her throat, her face. The glow of her skin was almost tangible.

She was Angel’s, through and through, completely. Last night in his arms had been… miraculous. Her flesh still tingled and she could still smell the spicy scent of him all over her skin, like a fine perfume. She was naked and glorious, and completely in love.

“Thank you, Express mini dress!”

She sang as she showered, wondered how long it would be before Angel would be up and about and hers for the seducing. She flipped her hair over as she left the bathroom, using a second towel to wrap her hair until she was ready to blow-dry it.

She was just about to secure the towel she’d wrapped around her body when she realized she wasn’t alone in her bedroom. The blood drained from her face as she realized the scene before her.

He was on his stomach, face turned towards the light. Warm rays of sun streaked across his pale skin, highlighting his dark mussed hair. One of his arms fell over the side of her bed, fingers dangling out from beneath the sheets. His chest swelled with each intake of breath, fell with each exhale. The towel dropped unnoticed to the floor.

She fell to all fours beside the bed, completely naked. The rug pressed into her kneecaps as she crawled over and touched his fingertips with a shaky hand.

“Angel…”

There was a smile on his face as he stirred, he eyes coming slowly open and settling on her face.

“Cordelia,” he murmured, voice sleep husky. She fell back on her haunches as he sat up, unable to speak. The sheets fell away, revealing his pale chest to light as they pooled at his waist.

“Good morning.” He leaned towards her, and she stayed still, stunned. She felt his breath across her lips, the warm, salty taste of his lips as he slid his tongue into her mouth, stirred her finally to movement.

“How… You’re human!”

“Yes.”

He grabbed her by the waist, lifted her up onto the bed so that she was perched awkwardly on his lap. He explored the stunned planes of her face with his fingertips, then reached up and yanked away the towel that confined her hair.

He sank his fingers into the wet strands, imprisoning her face so that she was forced to look him in the eyes.

“Liam,” he said.

“What?” she whispered, as she fought her way back from the tactile reality of Angel’s warm flesh.

“My human name. It’s Liam.” He kissed her lightly.

“And you’re Cordelia Chase,” he said, kissing her again.

“Yes,” she breathed, as his eyes darkened with something beyond lust.

“And you’re mine.”

It was madness, a flurry, sheets tossed aside as daylight witnessed their carnal love. He rose above her, as she slid her thighs up to take him deeper, and was stunned by his expression, the possessiveness of his gaze as he claimed her as a man. The fell together, eyes connected until he collapsed on top of her and breathed heavy in her ear.

“I love you Cordy,” he murmured.

“I love you… Liam.”

His arms tightened around her, and he rolled them so that he was on his back and she was tucked into his side.

Tears were falling down her cheeks as she ran her hands down his chest and felt his heartbeat as it reverberated through her palms.

“Shhh… Cordy, it’s okay.” He lifted her face with his fingers until he could meet her eyes.

She nodded, leaning up to kiss him.

“It’s more than okay. It’s perfect.”

*

Buffy grabbed her Nissan from the garage once Spike and her arrived back to the mansion. Her father was out on one of his many sorted business affairs, and Buffy was glad she didn’t have to face him.

She didn’t know if she wanted him to see the pain and hate in her eyes for what he wanted her to do to Bell. And she was about to up the stakes in the Chase department.

One posh neighborhood later, and she was parking her Nissan in the circle in front of the Chase mansion. She tossed her keys to the butler on her way in.

“No joyrides, ‘kay?”

She dashed up marble steps and headed towards Cordy’s apartments, letting herself in without knocking, as they’d done since childhood.

“I would’ve called, but phones aren’t exactly safe at my place these days.”


“Buffy! Hey! I’m just a touch busy right now…”

Cordelia had a wide grin on her face, but it was her hair that set off Buffy’s suspicions. Her normally coiffed locks looked like someone had taken a leaf blower to them.

“Do I smell Angel?” Buffy asked, nostrils flaring.

Cordy gave her a look.

“I’m not even gonna tell you just how creepy that is.”

“Aha! So stud muffin gave in to the Chase charms? Its tasty.”

She gave her friend a wicked grin.

“Spill! What’s it like with your vampire?”

“Why don’t you ask him for yourself?”

Buffy whirled, stake drawn to find Angel standing right behind her. He caught her wrist as she brought it down for the strike and held it still, directly above his heart.

“Buffy! Do not stake my boyfriend.”

Cordy walked to stand next to Angel, arms crossed over her chest, and glared at Buffy.

“Sorry! Little jumpy.”

“Understandable, but if you’re going for a kill that’s not really the way to take me out. Not exactly a vampire anymore.”

Buffy stared at him, at the sunlight hitting his frame, and awareness dawned. She ran her eyes over him with fascination.

“You- you’re human!”

“Yeah. I’ve been getting that a lot this morning.” He glanced at Cordy.

“Had a little visit from the Powers that Meddle last night.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

“Can I just say, huh?”

“Called himself ‘Doyle.’ Gave me a choice, told me the consequences if I chose wrong.”

“Huh.” There was a pause in conversation as Buffy gave him a thorough once over.

“You still have vamp reflexes. No mortal could have caught my stake like that.”

“I guess so,” he said mildly, squeezing the hand Cordy had tucked in his, thoughts on Doyle’s words on trust the night before.

Buffy tucked two fingers against his throat and confirmed his pulse.

“Yeah. Definitely human there.”

“Despite the fascination with your new gig, I came here to talk serious shop. We’re busting Bell out and are gonna need some serious backup.”

“I’ll help,” Angel said. “Anyway I can.”

“Goodies, then. We’re meeting at Spike’s tonight, ‘round 10ish. He’s got the best privacy wards.”

Buffy glanced between the two of them, Cordy rubbing her foot down the back of Angel’s leg even as he inclined his head towards her.

“Until then, get a room.”

*

Later that evening….

Spike opened the door and found himself face to face with two serious faced young women. The shorter of the two, a red head with delicate features and powerful eyes, gave him a thorough glance before speaking.

“We’re here to see Rupert Giles. Is he here?”

Spike raised an eyebrow at her commanding tone.

“Well, now, Red, that depends on who’s asking.”

The blond beside her made a small noise as she started to reply, and she closed her mouth with a small glare.

“My name’s Tara, and this is Willow Rosenberg. We’re from Sunnydale. The Coven sent us to help you with your witch, um, troubles.”

“An’ I take it you two are witches, then?”

The red head glared at him, her eyes fading gradually from green to black, a small wind whipping around them as they stood in the hall.

“Nacouda mensir aleck.”

Spike felt a small poof above his head, and something akin to extreme static electricity shot across his scalp. The blond witch shot an annoyed glance at her companion as he lifted his hands up to his hair.

His hair was standing straight up above his head, stiff as wood as his fingers came in contact with it.

“Bloody hell.”

He pushed at one of the points and it snapped off in his hand, a blond spike long enough to get staked on. He glared at Willow in disbelief.

“Alright, Red, you’re a witch. Now will one of you turn my sodding hair back, please?”

Tara brushed past Willow and touched his head. Spike felt his hair slowly return to its normal slick do before he relinquished his stance at the doorway.

“Hey, Watcher man!” he yelled.

“We got a spot of witchy company!”

As Willow started to move into the apartment, he caught her arm.

“You better hope for all our sakes that you’re better than just a bit of joker magick, Red.”

She just jerked her arm free and moved past him.

Tara paused beside him and gave him a lopsided smile.

“Don’t worry, Spike. She’s just had a long ride. Sh- she’s really an amazing witch.”

The slight stutter caught him off guard, but he found it strangely endearing. He nodded at her as she went inside, then glanced down the hallway as a security measure.

“Well,” he said as he finally closed his door and turned to go into the living room.

“It’s gonna be a long bloody night.”