for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[letsbe_clear]

It's fine. We have each other now, and we have a rental car to get us to Jody's.

[Alexander thought it would be prudent, given that they're probably going to have to bring Fred back with them to Baltimore. And he was also wise enough to put it on Cordelia's phone, because if there's anyone who would take to smart technology, it would be Cordelia Chase.

She glances at the sign and then points.]

Cars are that way.

[redeems]

( He read Buffy's messages, remembering vampire Willow in her senior year. He also knows about reality warping. Maybe it's the Powers that Be rewarding them for saving every universe from God himself. He knows better than to think he will ever earn his redemption. He is a fully formed, complicated vampire. He does good. He is also a curmudgeonly old, traditional man. He is a dork. He is a lot of things. But, redeemed?

He nods, his hand finding hers. )

What kind of car'd he get us?

[letsbe_clear]

Just a sedan.

[The Underground is not a flashy group, and everything they do is designed to fly under the radar.]

I know it's not you're usual style, but it's only for one trip.

[redeems]

Better have Apple Play.

( So he can play his songs, at least, when they drive. He is an insufferable old man once he learned Apple Music. But, also, thank you Cordy for helping him with his technology.

He closes the trunk of the car and goes around to the driver's seat. Inside, he sets the phone in the cradle as it asks to pair. )

It wants to pair. Yes. ( And they're cruising out of the airport parking lot to Billy Joel's "River of Dreams." ) Any more theories out there as to why people are suddenly back? I bought Fred something in the airport shop while I was waiting for my flight. I think she'll like it.

[letsbe_clear]

I'm sure she will.

[Cordy settles in her seat and pulls open her phone, starting to scroll through the chat again.]

They're bouncing around theories of some kind of wish spell? But hard to really say for sure.

[She shrugs.]

I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

[redeems]

Not like yours.

( Something happens when you ascend, come back, die and then you're brought back for cosmic balance. Things like compulsion and wishes come back. Cordelia didn't give him every detail but he remembers the Willow side of things. And they were... off. )

[letsbe_clear]

[Cordy shakes her head.]

Sam is saying something about a spell ingredient and a witch spell so it might be just ... unforeseen consequences of big magic. We just have to hope there isn't going to be some kind of karmic rebalancing.

[Because Jo isn't wrong that these things usually have consequences.]

[redeems]

They're not taking her away from us again.

( He won't allow it. Karmic or not. He fights for his people. He chews on the inside of his cheek as he goes over something in his mind. )

You don't think Illyria took the trip back with her, do you?

[letsbe_clear]

I don't know. It didn't sound like Illyria, did it?

[Not that Cordy was around to experience the difference between the two, really, but she also didn't talk to Fred, Angel did. She has to follow his gut on this one.]

[redeems]

No, it didn't. And I don't think she'd... wear her.

( Not like she did. For her parents. For Wes. )

If it was her, she'd know it was her. We would, too. ( And maybe it sinks in a little bit more. ) It's Fred Cordy.

[letsbe_clear]

It's Fred.

[One of the people she originally wanted to be one of her two when the Powers That Be first called her back. One of them who truly deserved to live, not die the way she did.

She can't wait to see her.

Which is why she's the first out of the car when they pull into Jody's driveway, and fortunately Jody saw them coming and is already at the door.]

Hey, Jody.

[The older woman pulls her into a hug.]

How's she doing?

["Currently eating me out of house and home," she says with fondness because Jody does love to feed people so it's not really a hinderance. "She'll be happy to see you."]

[redeems]

We're happy to see her. Jody. Thank you for taking her back with you.

( For looking out for her.

"Angel, Cordy, is that you?" Fred calls from inside. She comes up from behind Jody, spots them, and then throws her arms around Cordy, squeezing tighter than she should. "Sorry, not having had a body for a long time, I'm still learning my own strength. And I'm just happy to see you both." Angel smiles and then she hugs him, too. )

Hey, Fred.

[letsbe_clear]

["Of course. You guys made good time." And then she'll retreat back into the house and give them a moment. Cordy just smiles, staring at Fred and taking in the fact that they're all together again.]

We're happy to see you too. And am glad you landed somewhere friendly. It doesn't seem like everyone else is getting so lucky.

[redeems]

( "Maybe they didn't land friendly, but they found friendly people, at least it looks like from here," Fred says, holding her borrowed phone. "But, you're right. It's a small world after all." )

We should get inside. ( Fred nods, noticing something, eyes widening as she sees Angel in the direct sun.

"Angel, you--" ) Have a nice ring. But, I still get squirrelly in the sun. I've made friends in high places and the Powers decided I needed to be mobile during the day and the night.

[letsbe_clear]

Apparently Spike recently got one too and is annoyed I made got one for Angel and not him.

[She and Spike text. Or at least they did before he died (again) and they are resuming now that he's alive (again).]

[redeems]

( "The Vamp-Off continues," Fred says, holding the screen door open for them. "Are you still arguing about who's saved the world more?" )

There's no argument there, it's me. He was evil for a long time before going to the African desert for a soul. Who goes to the African desert to do that?

[letsbe_clear]

[Cordy would point out that maybe willingly going in search of your soul might be slightly better than being cursed with one, but she's not looking to resurrect this fight.]

Spike does, apparently. But not important.

[She looks back at Fred.]

How are you doing? All of this must be a lot to get used to.

[redeems]

It's kind if important.

( It is, in fact, not.

"Oh, I'm doing just fine. Jody is very nice and made me my first homecooked meal in, well, ever, now. I was just waiting to see you two. And, maybe, leave with you? Niceness aside, I don't want to impose more than I already have. I'm. also guessing we're not affiliated with a certain law firm anymore?" )

[letsbe_clear]

[Cordy shakes her head.]

We are not with Wolfram and Hart anymore. We've actually been working with a group called the Underground who helps supernatural creatures who are trying to fly under the radar or restart their lives or whatever the case may be. We'll probably take you back there with us, but it's a long drive, so I think we were hoping to fall on Jody's good graces, at least for the night.

["Of course," Jody smiles. "Claire's out of town so there's an empty bed, plus we have the guest room."]

[splotchy]

Oh, but Jody says the girls are coming for dinner tonight. Alex and Patience. She has a really pretty name. I like that Jody takes in strays. No offense. Kind of reminds me of our little troupe we had back at the Hyperion.

( She misses those days. )

It's real good to be together again. And it sounds like your Underground is probably something I can help with while I get back my land legs.

[letsbe_clear]

Definitely.

[Cordy glances back to Jody.]

How is Patience doing? Any bad visions lately?

[Jody shakes her head. "Nothing too crazy. She's starting to get better with interpreting, which is good. She's helped Claire out on a few cases too."]

Good. She still has my number if she needs it.

[redeems]

Patience has visions, like her grandmother used to. It was passed down through her family.

( "Better than a kiss," Fred says, considering. )

And Claire, Patience, and Alex were all taken in by Jody. Is Kaia still dreamwalking?

[extrasauce]

On and off. She's getting better at reigning it in, though, which is good. And safer for everyone involved.

[But there's still a lot of trauma there.]

She's getting a lot of therapy. Trying to talk Claire into it too, but she's content to still stick with hunter therapy.

[Cordy makes a face. "Yes, because that works so well." Jody gives her a commiserating look.]

We're talking about it, at least.

[redeems]

Sometimes, talking's enough.

( But, actions matter, too. )

Speaking of therapy, Cordelia and I have connections that Fred might want to take advantage of if she wants to work through anything. You can also put that out there for anyone else who's recently returned.

[letsbe_clear]

[Cordy blinks, before nodding in agreement.]

Yes, Sweets is great.

[A beat.]

Taylor may be a little much, no offense Taylor.

[Who is not even here to be offended.]