Desperate Acts: Part Ten
by Wravyn

They're not mine, and we all know it.


Cordelia had been dancing all night with Xander, turning down the requests of every other hopeful graciously. She saw Harmony look at her in surprise as she showcased all her best moves. She smiled smugly to herself. Harmony was many things, but dancing had never been a particular talent of hers. She knew she was better than good and she made sure everyone in the room knew it too. Xander hadn’t left her side for a moment, and her plan to snag him seemed to be going along fine. She had noticed Willow staring at her and sneer in disdain, but she also noticed Oz’s jaw drop as he took her appearance in. She had no intention of stealing him away from Willow but it gratified her to see Willow have to maneuver his gaze away from her. she thought in satisfaction.

Larry danced his way over to the two of them. “Lookin’ good, Chase!” he shouted over the music, sneaking in a pinch to her ass as he tried to come between her and Xander. The latter shoved him away somewhat roughly, and the bigger guy backed away. “So-rry! I didn’t know you staked a claim on her already!” He winked at Cordy, who laughed out loud. “Didn’t know you had it in ya, Cordy!” He grabbed another girl from her partner and danced away with her, singing badly along with the song. Cordelia couldn’t keep the happy expression off her face.

Xander looked at his best friend, who was acting very un-Cordylike. In fact, she was acting like Willow ... except without the cruel sarcasm that his ex-girlfriend sometimes displayed. “Cordy?” he asked. She didn’t seem to hear him, having started a conversation with Angel, who had danced Buffy over next to them. “CORDY!” he shouted. Just then, the music stopped, and everyone in the room looked at him. He smiled insincerely at all of them, shrugging as if he had meant to do that. “Okay, okay, back to your dancing, folks. Just having a little talk with Cordelia over here.” The people laughed, but did as he asked. I mean, who cares if he just embarrassed himself publicly like that? He was popular. Everything they did was forgivable.

The music had started up again. Cordelia grinned at Xander. “Nice going, Xand,” she teased. She winked at Buffy, who covered her laugh with her hand. Angel too, looked amused. Xander ignored their teasing and directed his attention back to Cordelia. “You look nice, today, Cordy,” he said awkwardly. She flashed him a smile at the compliment.

“Is that what you blew out our eardrums for? You wanted to tell me I looked nice? Why, Xander, I’m flattered!”

Xander fidgeted. He didn’t want to ruin her mood by bringing up his cause for confusion. That is, this different behavior of hers. He didn’t want to, but he did. “Why are you acting like this?”

Her smile dropped a notch at his question, but she answered brightly. “I decided it was time for a change, Xander. No more geeky Will ... um, Cordelia for me!”

“But Cordy, you were never geeky!”

Buffy chimed in, having overheard this last comment. “We liked you fine the way you were before.”

Cordelia sighed in exasperation and looked at Angel for help. He spoke up in her defense. “I don’t think she’s doing this for you guys, Buffy. I think she’s just finally letting the real Queen C shine through.” Cordelia stifled a laugh at his words, and Xander looked at Angel in confusion.

“Queen C?”

“A nickname I call her.”

“Yeah, I’ve always liked that name. I wanted to ask Daddy for personalized license plates with that written on it, you know.” Cordelia tried covering another laugh, unsuccessfully.

Xander looked confused. “I never knew that.”

Buffy patted his arm reassuringly. “It was probably one of those private girl things she didn’t want to share with you.” She turned to Cordelia. “I never knew that!”

Cordelia was happy enough to be generous to everyone. Even Buffy. Besides, the girl was supposed to be her best friend, wasn’t she? “It’s a secret.”

“But Angel knows.”

“Angel’s my friend.” She smiled brightly at everyone. “You’re all my friends. I love all of you!”

Angel decided it was time to take everyone home. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say Cordelia was drunk. But he couldn’t smell any signs of alcohol on her. He put an arm around Buffy, and he gently pushed Cordelia to Xander with the other. “I think the music’s been too much for her. Maybe it’s time we all go home.” Cordelia gazed at Xander lovingly and tucked her arm in his.

“Yeah, let’s go home. I have my car outside, I’ll take everyone home.”

“But Cordy, you don’t have a car.”

“Willow let me borrow hers.”

“Oh ... ... okay.”


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