Post-NFA Fic Dialogue between Spike, Anya, Angel, and Cordelia
I wrote this last night after rewatching "You're Welcome" and having all sorts of Cangel feelings (as well as “WHY DO YOU HATE HAPPINESS, JOSS WHEDON?!? Feelings). In my post-NFA verse, I resurrect Cordelia and Anya, and when the Fang Gang has regrouped at the Hyperion with the Scoobies (who came to save the day after Buffy had a prophetic slayer dream about Angel’s suicidal plan), I imagine a conversation like this taking place:
Spike: For God’s sake, stop moping about Harris and just go find him.
Anya: I am not moping about Xander! I don’t love him, and I’m not going to him, and you’re not one to talk anyway, you- you kettle! You go find Buffy!
Spike: I’m not finding Buffy! She said she doesn’t want anything to do with me. If she changes her mind, she can find me!
Anya: She only said that because her feelings are hurt because you didn’t contact her because you’re a moron!
Spike: You- just- shut up, pot.
Anya: Gah! (moans) This isn’t fair. I’m alive again. I’m supposed to be happy.
Spike: (snorts) Get used to it. The only happy people here are-
Anya: Angel and Cordelia.
Brief silence. They exchange looks.
Cut to Angel’s door and Spike hammering on it. Angel opens it, very irritated.
Angel: What do you want?
Spike: Oh good, you’re dressed.
Angel: What?
Spike: You’re not allowed to have sex!
Anya: No sex for you!
Spike: None!
Cordelia: (coming up behind Angel) Excuse me? Who do you think you are?
Spike: The guy’ll who have to clean up your mess when he loses his soul.
Angel: (chagrined) We’re just talking…
Cordelia: His- no, he wouldn’t lose- not if we- I mean…would- would you?
Angel: (shuffles feet awkwardly) Um. I- I might. There’s a chance- um. Probably.
Cordelia: (tiny voice) Really? You would lose your soul for me?
Angel: Kinda did once already…
Cordelia: Oh, Angel! (kisses him)
Spike: No- bad-!
Anya: Bad Angel!
Spike: Hands off the cheerleader! (yanks them apart) Hands off the walking forehead, you, you brazen hussy!
Cordelia: Brazen-
Angel: Don’t call her-
Spike: That’s it, out of this room. You’re not allowed to be alone together. (yanks Cordelia out of the room)
Cordelia: Hey!
Angel: Spike-
Spike: No buts! You, count your sins!
Angel: What?
Spike: In 1885 you slaughtered an Easter church service. Killed every last parishioner and saved the vicar for last so he had to watch them all die.
Cordelia: Oh my God. Spike, stop it…
Anya: It’s working! He’s going all frowny-faced!
Spike: In 1893 you killed a mother and her children because the father had been rude to you in the pub…
Angel: Why are you doing this…
Spike: You think I’m gonna let you be happy, you pillock? (nods to Anya and Cordelia) Take her to a different room.
Anya: But I want to hear more…
Watching "You're Welcome" was very bittersweet for obvious reasons, and it was interesting because I've never rewatched the episode in its entirety since the first time I saw it; I usually just rewatch a few of the key Cangel scenes. Seeing the relationship in context again, I'm utterly bewildered by the fact that some people claim Angel didn't love Cordelia. It actually perplexes me. The only way this episode could be more explicit about their feelings for each other would be if they actually said those three little words. And those words aren't even necessary; they would just be icing on the cake (and possibly the too-sugary kind at that). The way they look at each other and talk to each other and help each other is so beautiful that it makes me sad to think that people actually scoff at their love. I can understand refusing to acknowledge the love between Buffy and Spike in S7 after what happened in S6, even if I think it's irrational, but I can't understand people who say Angel never loved Cordelia. :(
Spike: For God’s sake, stop moping about Harris and just go find him.
Anya: I am not moping about Xander! I don’t love him, and I’m not going to him, and you’re not one to talk anyway, you- you kettle! You go find Buffy!
Spike: I’m not finding Buffy! She said she doesn’t want anything to do with me. If she changes her mind, she can find me!
Anya: She only said that because her feelings are hurt because you didn’t contact her because you’re a moron!
Spike: You- just- shut up, pot.
Anya: Gah! (moans) This isn’t fair. I’m alive again. I’m supposed to be happy.
Spike: (snorts) Get used to it. The only happy people here are-
Anya: Angel and Cordelia.
Brief silence. They exchange looks.
Cut to Angel’s door and Spike hammering on it. Angel opens it, very irritated.
Angel: What do you want?
Spike: Oh good, you’re dressed.
Angel: What?
Spike: You’re not allowed to have sex!
Anya: No sex for you!
Spike: None!
Cordelia: (coming up behind Angel) Excuse me? Who do you think you are?
Spike: The guy’ll who have to clean up your mess when he loses his soul.
Angel: (chagrined) We’re just talking…
Cordelia: His- no, he wouldn’t lose- not if we- I mean…would- would you?
Angel: (shuffles feet awkwardly) Um. I- I might. There’s a chance- um. Probably.
Cordelia: (tiny voice) Really? You would lose your soul for me?
Angel: Kinda did once already…
Cordelia: Oh, Angel! (kisses him)
Spike: No- bad-!
Anya: Bad Angel!
Spike: Hands off the cheerleader! (yanks them apart) Hands off the walking forehead, you, you brazen hussy!
Cordelia: Brazen-
Angel: Don’t call her-
Spike: That’s it, out of this room. You’re not allowed to be alone together. (yanks Cordelia out of the room)
Cordelia: Hey!
Angel: Spike-
Spike: No buts! You, count your sins!
Angel: What?
Spike: In 1885 you slaughtered an Easter church service. Killed every last parishioner and saved the vicar for last so he had to watch them all die.
Cordelia: Oh my God. Spike, stop it…
Anya: It’s working! He’s going all frowny-faced!
Spike: In 1893 you killed a mother and her children because the father had been rude to you in the pub…
Angel: Why are you doing this…
Spike: You think I’m gonna let you be happy, you pillock? (nods to Anya and Cordelia) Take her to a different room.
Anya: But I want to hear more…
Watching "You're Welcome" was very bittersweet for obvious reasons, and it was interesting because I've never rewatched the episode in its entirety since the first time I saw it; I usually just rewatch a few of the key Cangel scenes. Seeing the relationship in context again, I'm utterly bewildered by the fact that some people claim Angel didn't love Cordelia. It actually perplexes me. The only way this episode could be more explicit about their feelings for each other would be if they actually said those three little words. And those words aren't even necessary; they would just be icing on the cake (and possibly the too-sugary kind at that). The way they look at each other and talk to each other and help each other is so beautiful that it makes me sad to think that people actually scoff at their love. I can understand refusing to acknowledge the love between Buffy and Spike in S7 after what happened in S6, even if I think it's irrational, but I can't understand people who say Angel never loved Cordelia. :(