Title: Against the Odds Author: Tory Rose Disclaimers: These characters aren’t mine. They belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, etc. Summary: C/D. Takes place right after Doyle dies in Heroes. Cordelia mourns, and Doyle surprises her. (Enough said, just read it!) Spoilers: For “Heroes” and I think that’s it. Feedback: Yes! But this is my first fic, so please be as nice as possible. AngelRose442@aol.com The song “Take a Look at Me now” is a song written and performed by Phil Collins, and also re-performed (if that makes any sense) by Mariah Carey. “How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace. When I stand here taking, every breath with you, ohh…” ********************* “Doyle! Oh god, Doyle!” I sobbed as I watched my friend disappear into thin air. Angel held me close as I cried into his shoulder. Doyle had just died. As we turned to go home, I thought I heard the familiar voice calling me. “Princess…” ********************** “You’re the only one, who really knew me at all. How can you just walk away from me, When all I can do is watch you leave. ‘Cause we shared the laughter and the pain, And we even shared the tears. You’re the only one, who really knew me at all…” *********************** I lay on my bed, two days later. I was still numb with the thought of Doyle being dead. Angel was trying his hardest to comfort me, but nothing helped. “He was the only one who saw me for who I am.” I thought. “He’s the only one who knew me. I- I loved…Oh god Cor don’t start.” My eyes filled with tears as I cried softly into my pillow. *********************** “So take a look at me now. Oh there’s just an empty space. And there’s nothing left here, to remind me, Just the memory of your face. Take a look at me now. ‘Cause there’s just an empty space. And you coming back to me, is against the odds, And that’s what I’ve got to face…” *********************** I was empty inside. It was only seconds before Doyle died that I realized I loved him. And needed him. I wish he could come back…but I knew that the chances of that were slim. Angel was doing all he could to get him back, but nothing he did went through. When I finally got out of bed, I searched for some of Doyle’s belongings. He didn’t have much. All I had was a picture of him in my mind. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. Angel walked into the kitchen just as I broke down. The pain of remembering was too great, and my knees gave out below me. “Cordelia!” Angel yelled, and ran over to help me, catching me just in time. I crumbled into his arms, sobbing. He rocked me back and forth, assuring me it would be OK, but I knew it wouldn’t be. I needed him to come back to me. He couldn’t be dead. ********************** “I wish I could just make you turn around, Turn around and see me crying. There’s so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why. You’re the only one, who really knew me at all…” ********************** I woke up with a start, not sure what it was that woke me up. I heard it again, a voice… “Princess…I’m here Princess. Please, Cordy, wake up.” I started to shake when I heard the familiar Irish accent. It couldn’t be. “D-Doyle?” I stammered, my eyes filling with tears. “H-How are you here?” Suddenly, he stepped out of the shadows in the corner of my room. He was wearing what he had died in, and looked the same as he always did. “Princess.” He said softly. “Oh god, Cordy…” Doyle walked over to my bed and pulled me into his arms as I started to cry uncontrollably. “Ssh, Delia, its O.K. I’m here now.” I heard his voice crack as he rocked me in his arms. “Doyle.” I sobbed. “Doyle, I love you. I thought you were never going to come back…” My voice trailed off as he captured my lips in a kiss. When he finally pulled away, he looked into my eyes. “Cordy.” He said. “I love you so much. Ever since the first day I saw you. It was the hardest thing I ever did, leaving you. But I couldn’t let you, or Angel, die.” He paused and squeezed my hand. “But now comes the tough part. I can’t stay very long. It’s not my place.” Doyle looked down, a sad expression on is face. “I love you Delia.” I bit my lip. “Why can’t you stay Doyle?” I asked, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I need you here. Without you, I’m a mess. I love you.” “I know Cordelia, I know. I love you more than anything in the world. I want to stay so badly, and I would if I could. But I can’t. The Powers That Be would only give me a little time to see you. To tell you: Don’t miss me too much…you have to get on with your life. Help Angel with his work. I will always love you and remember you. Got that?” I nodded. “But I don’t understand. Can’t you just stay?” He sighed. “I wish I could. But what TPTB say, is what they say. I have to go. But I’ll come to visit from time to time, and I’ll always be watching you. I promise.” He pulled me into a hug and kissed me softly. “I have to go now Princess.” He said, standing up slowly to leave. My eyes filled with tears, but I nodded quickly. “I love you, Cordelia Chase.” He whispered. “I love you too.” I choked. And then, he was gone. ********************* “So take a look at me now. ‘Cause there’s just an empty space. And there’s nothing left here, to remind me, Just the memory of your face. Take a look at me now, ‘Cause there’s just an empty space. But to wait for you, is all I can do, And that’s what I’ve got to face…” ********************** I woke up the next morning with the odd feeling of being watched. The memories of that night came flooding back to me, and I choked back tears. He had actually been here. I could remember it all. It wasn’t a dream…it couldn’t be. I looked around my bedroom, hoping to find him in a corner somewhere, smiling at me. But I didn’t. I remembered what he had said, “I’ll come to visit from time to time, and I’ll always be watching you. I promise.” And that was what I had to look forward too. I walked into Angel’s apartment and gave him a warm smile. “Morning Angel!” I said cheerfully. “Cordelia! What are you doing here? You don’t have to work…” “He was here last night.” I said quietly. “I talked to him, I touched him, I heard him, and I felt him, so please don’t think I’m crazy.” "I don’t think you’re crazy Cordelia. Somehow, I knew he would be back. What did he say?” “Well, he started with “I love you…” And I sat down to tell Angel what had happened. When I finished, Angel thought a minute. “He’ll be back Cordy. I just know it. But I’m not sure how soon. “I know.” I said. “And, we have to get to work!” I jumped up from the table, eager to go on with my life. “Yes,” Angel replied. “We do.” I went to bed that night, praying Doyle would come visit me. But he didn’t. Not for awhile. But about a month later, he came. At night, of course. And we talked for hours, until he had to go. It was always painful when he left, but he always assured me that he would be back. And he did. Now more often than he used too…almost every other night. But every night, I pray that he come back for good. Because I still need him. ************************ “Take a good look at me now. ‘Cause I’ll still be standing here. And you coming back to me, is against all odds, That’s the chance I’ve got to take. Take a look at me now.”