__Thankful__
By Kath



Wesley walked slowly into Angel's office, trying not to bump into the door jam, as he read from the file in his hand. His head snapped up, upon hearing the distress in his employer's voice, and the annoyance in Cordelia's.

"...all I was saying was, I figured you'd want the day off, you know, to spend time with family or some of your girlfriends." Angel had that 'Help Me! I'm trying to reason with Cordy' panicked look on his face. The beautiful Seer was hovering over his desk, hands on her hips.

"And all I was saying was that the PTBs might not be so cooperative. What if I'm in the middle of serving up the cranberries and - *whammo* - a vision. Things could get ugly."

"Excuse me," Wesley interrupted, much to Angel's relief. "What is happening tomorrow?"

Cordy whirled around, to turn all her attention to him. "Only Thanksgiving...you know...major holiday in this country. It's when we Americans give thanks for not having to live in the same country as you Brits...well, some don't, anyway."

Ignoring the obvious reference to himself, and not so subtle insult, Wes merely walked past her, and sat down to continue looking through the file he'd gone to retrieve. "Yes, I've *heard* of Thanksgiving, Cordelia. I just didn't realize it was tomorrow....So, you'll be taking the day off then. That's nice. I hope you have a lovely time." He looked up from the folder just in time to catch a strange, wistful expression cross the young girl's face, before she plastered her patented Cordy smile on.

"Oh, you know me....Party Girl. Never a dull moment. Plans, plans, plans."

"I, of course, shall be here, as always."

"Oh, goody," Angel mumbled, good naturedly, without looking up from the book he had retreated to. Nevertheless, Wes was sure the vampire had seen the glare he sent him in response, for a glimmer of a smile tugged at his normally solemn features.

Wesley watched Cordelia intently, sure that there was something she wasn't telling them. She usually was at her feistiest when trying to hide something. A sudden thought occurred to him, and Wesley practically leapt out of his seat, startling the other two.

"Uh, Angel," he began, as he retrieved his leather jacket, and started to slip it on. "I just remembered an appointment....er, something I needed to take care of, so I need to go.

"Hmmmm, okay Wes," was Angel's only response, and he didn't even look up, as the ex-Watcher hurried out.

"Probably forgot a date with Ms. Rich and Famous," was Cordy's snide remark.

"I dunno, I got the impression they weren't seeing each other socially anymore," Angel casually commented, not realizing what a bombshell he was dropping.

"Really?! She dumped his ass?"

Angel did look up then, and gave his employee a suspicious stare. "No, I'm pretty sure it was Wes' decision...something about he didn't feel right about dating someone he worked for...and shouldn't you be sounding a little less gleeful about the whole thing?"

"Who me? Pfft! Like I *care* who Wesley goes out with....or doesn't go out with. I'm just surprised it lasted as long as it did, that's all."

"Uh huh," Angel said slowly. "Whatever you say, Cordelia."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(the next day - late afternoon; Cordelia's apartment)

Cordelia had just settled down on the couch - a cup of hot cocoa on the coffee table, hand knitted afghan wrapped around her legs, TV remote and program guide in hand - when the incessant knocking at her door began. She tried to get up, but was hopelessly tangled in the blanket. The remote went crashing to the floor and already the frustration was building.

"Alright! Just a minute. Geez, hold your horses!" (to the air around her) "Dennis, would you get that for me please?"

The door swung open, as if by itself, to reveal a very dapperly dressed Wesley. Finally managing to separate herself from the afghan, Cordy made her way to the door. Wesley looked her up and down, noting, but not commenting on, the faded t-shirt and old sweatpants she was wearing.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She hadn't meant to sound so snippy, but Wesley's appearance at her door was a complete surprise, and she was feeling a little 'caught in a lie'.

"I'm glad I caught you, before your night out. I didn't mean to interrupt your preparations, but it was rather urgent."

Feeling a little better, Cordy relaxed a bit. "I'm sorry I snapped at you, Wes. I just wasn't expecting anyone...uh, this early."

Wes had taken in the scene - TV on, cocoa on the table, blanket thrown on the floor - but carried on as if he hadn't. "Yes, well....I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...Angel sent me to retrieve you. Something's come up....uh, a case...and he really needs your help."

"My help? I'm Vision Girl, remember, not Demon Killer Girl."

"Well, there was something he needed looking up on the computer....and, well, I *tried* to do it for him, but you know how helpless I am with that thing....books really are my forte....and now we can't get anything but that funny cat thingy to come up." He shrugged, helplessly.

"The screensaver? What did you *do* to my computer?! Oh, if you guys crashed any of my programs, you are *so* dead! Give me a few minutes to change my clothes."

"Oh, and put on something nice," he called after her. When she gave him a strange look, he added, "So you can leave from there to meet your friends. We wouldn't want to spoil your holiday, after all."

"Am I gonna have to ride on your stupid bike?" Her voice floated out from the other room.

"No, Angel sent me with the car....and it's *not* stupid."

"Whatever." She reappeared a few minutes later, wearing a sleeveless light blue dress, with a matching sweater, which all hugged her body in a very attractive way. Wesley's mouth fell open, speechless. "I take it, by your ogling, that you approve." He blushed and held the door open for her. "You look...smashing, Cordelia."

She couldn't help beaming at him, as she passed through the doorway. "This had better not lead to slimy demon slayage and dress ruinage, or it *will* come out of your paycheck....and I write them up, so I can do that."

"It's a promise. No slime." He shut the door, and Dennis flipped off all the lights, and turned the TV channel to football. You could almost imagine a ghostly sigh of relief.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(the hotel)

"Angel?...Wes, where *is*he?"

"Well, when I left he was heading for the courtyard. Perhaps he is still sitting out there."

"Okaaaaaay." She headed through the lobby, with Wesley trailing behind her. "Okay Broody Boy, come out of hiding, so I can whip your vampire butt for messing up my computer. She turned the corner, and was stunned at what she saw. Several long tables were set up along each side of the courtyard, with festive tablecloths and paper place settings decorated with colorful turkeys and pumpkins. 25-30 people, that she vaguely recognized as Gunn's gang, were sitting in folding chairs, or standing around, talking and munching on snacks. Standing in the middle of the room was Angel, and he was actually smiling at her.

"Wha...what's all this?"

Wesley came around from behind her, and smiled broadly at her. "Happy Thanksgiving!"

"Yeah, uh, Happy Thanksgiving, Cordy," Angel added, joining the two of them.

"You did all this for *me*? You're so sweet." Before Angel could stop her, the girl had launched herself at him, wrapping him up in a big bear hug.

"Well, actually..." before he could finish, Gunn came up, slapping him on the back. Hey Angel, nice party, but where are the tunes?"

"Oh, I brought my CD player in, Gunn," Wesley spoke up. "I'll show you." The two men disappeared into the crowd. Angel tried to hang back a bit, half afraid that Cordelia was going to try to hug him again.

"So, how did you know I didn't really have any plans for today? Some sort of vamp intuition?"

"No....Wesley told me. This was all his idea. He and Gunn arranged everything."

Cordy was stunned. "Wesley...really? Oh." Just then, Gunn returned.

"Hey, Dark, we need some help with the grub. Gonna just stand there or are ya gonna help?" Angel shrugged in Cordy's direction and headed off after Gunn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(two hours later)

Dinner was over - every scrap of food eaten, the plates tossed out, and the tables folded up and pushed up against the wall. The holiday party had evolved into just a party, as someone cranked up the volume on the CD player, and Gunn's crew danced and laughed, like they rarely had the opportunity to, in their humble, frightening, everyday lives.

Angel had disappeared sometime during the meal, feeling a little uncomfortable being there and not eating, not to mention being around such a large group of jubilant people. Cordy had tried to corner Wesley several times, to thank him, but he was too busy playing host, refilling cups and plates, and making sure everyone was happy. She doubted he'd even sat down or gotten anything to eat himself. Now, as the girl looked around, she couldn't find her friend at all, anywhere. She headed up the stairs, intending to look in the hotel kitchen, expecting to find him washing dishes or something, when she spotted him in the lobby.

Wesley's dark blue suit jacket was slung over the back of his chair, his tie askew, the knot pulled halfway down his chest, and his sleeves were rolled up, to the elbow. His feet were up on the large ottoman in front of him, and his head rested on his shoulder, as he slept. He looked so peaceful, Cordelia almost didn't want to disturb him, but she was drawn to him anyway. She perched herself on the arm of the large, overstuffed chair, and lightly tickled Wesley behind the ear. He wiggled a little, but that was it. She did it again, and was rewarded with deep blue eyes looking up at her. They widened, as the groggy man realized she was there.

"Hello," he murmured sleepily. "Is there something wrong? Anything I can do?"

Cordy smiled warmly at him, amazed that his first thoughts were always of others. "Hey Sleepy Head!" She ruffled his hair, affectionately. "Everybody had a really good time tonight. Gunn and his buddies are still partying away out there."

"Oh, I'm glad. They lead such a hard life. It's nice they can have a day where they don't have anything to worry about."

"Y'know, for a guy who doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, you sure seem to have grasped the concept rather well....Angel told me."

Wesley pulled himself up in the chair a bit. "Told you what?"

"That this was all your idea. That you did it for me, so I wouldn't be alone for the holiday."

"Well, Gunn helped...and the food came already prepared..."

Cordy put her hand over his mouth. "Shut up and let me thank you."

Wesley removed her hand and gave her arm a playful tug. Cordy lost her balance and found herself landing in his lap, with an 'oof'. Neither of them made any attempt to remove her.

"How did you know...that I was lying about having plans?"

"Cordelia, I've known you for over a year. I work closely with you every day..." He changed his mind about what he wanted to say. "I don't know...I just had a feeling, that's all."

"Well, this was probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me...Thank You." She leaned over and gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. She heard his sharp intake of breath, as her lips touched his face. His hand snaked up her back, to play with her newly shorn tresses.

"Did I tell you I really like your new hair cut?"

"Yeah, but don't let that stop you from telling me again."

Wesley's hand was still by her neck, and he was lightly running his fingers along her shoulder.

"D-did I ever tell you how sharp you look in that suit?" Cordy tried to pretend she hadn't noticed what he was doing, or how good it felt.

"Thank you." He was staring at her, which was beginning to make her nervous.

"It...it really brings out the blue in your...eyes," she continued, drifting off as she found herself getting lost in those deep blue pools. "Wesley...what's happening here?" Their faces were only inches apart, and she reached out to stroke his cheek.

"I...I'm not sure.....I know what I'd *like* to happen."

"What?" she whispered. Instead of answering, he kissed her, gently brushing his lips against hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss, holding him there until the need to breathe broke them apart. "Oh, that was good. You can do that again."

He pulled back a little. 'Are you sure? I mean, you've never made it a secret, what you think of me."

"Hey, a woman's allowed to change her mind, isn't she?"

"Yes, but why? What's made you change your opinion?"

"Must you over-analyze everything, Mr. Talks Too Much?"

"Ever since I started working for Virginia, you've been acting differently towards me." He gave her a look. "You aren't *jealous*, are you?"

"Me? Jealous? HA! You've gotta be kidding. Did you really break it off with her?"

"Yes."

"Because you were working for her, and it would be unprofessional?"

"Y-yes...well, no...that's what I *told* her, but that wasn't the main reason."

"Oh?"

Wesley sighed. "I didn't think it was right to go on seeing her, when I have feelings for someone else," he answered, candidly.

"Oh...OH!" Cordy blushed. "Okay, so maybe I was a little jealous." She grinned at him, and he grinned right back. Snuggling close to his chest, she was practically purring. "Mmmmm, you feel so warm and safe."

He kissed the top of her head and hugged her tightly. They remained that way for several minutes, contented in each other's arms, until Cordelia looked back up at Wesley.

"Kiss me."

"Your wish is my command."

This kiss was hungrier, more passionate, involving hands under clothing, caressing skin, and tongues mingling in mouths. Neither of them was aware, when Gunn entered the lobby, intent on finding one of them. He saw the couple, necking in the chair, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Whoa! Guess I don't want to be bothering you two....Happy Thanksgiving!" He turned around, quickly fleeing the room, leaving Wesley and Cordelia to their own private, holiday celebration.

* * *