Title: The Morning After Author: by Paula Sequel to "Reverie" Rating: PG-13 just to be safe. Disclaimer: I don't own nothing Joss is god. Summary: Doyle wakes up and find Cordelia. Distribution: Oblivious Much, Doyle Denial, Powers that Be, Doyle and Cordelia Brigade. Anyone else please ask. Doyle awoke as the first rays of dawn came. He stirred only to find that something warn was press against his side, it's head pillowed on his chest. He looked down half expecting to find a demon, but was astonished to find Cordelia snuggled against him. "I have got to be dreaming." he muttered as he tried to find a rational explanation for this odd occurrence. As sleep further released it's grip on his mind and body Doyle became aware of the pillow behind his head and the blanket that had been draped over them. He winced as he saw several beer bottles laying near them.*I must have passed out. How many did I have?* He took a mental inventory. *Yep, that would explain it. Cordelia's luck I haven't lost my lunch in her hair. Oh well . . .*Doyle groaned as he began to gently extricate himself from the sleeping brunettes arms. "Oh my back, my head, my favorite neck, even my butt hurts." he complained softly. Once he was free, he gently wrapped the still sleeping Cordelia in the blanket and gathered her into his strong arms. Shifting her in his arms he opened the roof door and carried her down the steps. Angel passed Doyle as he headed down to the office. He raised his eyebrows curiously but said nothing. Doyle shrugged. "Hey man, don't look at me. I woke up and there she was." Doyle looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. "Right." Angel's face was impossible to read. "No, really!" Doyle whispered defensively. "Sure, Doyle. Look why don't you take Cordy to her room and then go to your own and get some sleep. You look exhausted." "Good idea. Goodnight." Doyle carried Cordelia to her room and tucked her under the covers. Impulsively Doyle leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Sleep well, Princess." Doyle turned and left closing the door softly behind him. ***** Doyle slowly dragged his tired body towards him room. Though exhausted Doyle's mind was racing. *I wonder what she was doin' out there. Was she worried 'bout me? She couldn't care could she? Before Harry interrupted us I could have sworn that Cordelia Chase had been about to ask me out.* Doyle collapsed on the bed his face buried in his pillows. *Naw. I've really 'ad too much to drink. It'll make more sense when I've slept it off. Cordelia Chase interested in me. Now that's funny. Doyle crawled under the covers and soon drifted off to sleep. ****** Cordelia woke to find herself in her own bed still in the clothes she'd been wearing the previous day. *Hold on a minute. I don't remember waking up and coming inside. Oh please tell me that Doyle didn't wake up before me.* Cordy jumped out of bed, and ran about the room getting dressed and hurriedly but carefully applying her make-up. She then tiptoed down the hall to Doyle's room. Peeking in the door she cursed softly when she found him sound asleep in his bed. *Now,* she tried to console herself, *This doesn't necessarily mean anything Angel could have brought us both inside. I'll just go ask him, and then swear him to secrecy. *Cordelia took a last look at Doyle and turned and hurried downstairs to the office. "Angel?' she demanded as she walked into the waiting room. "Where are you?" "In my office, Cordelia." Angel voice was indulgent. Cordy ran into his office closing the door behind her. "Angel, please *please* tell me that you were the one that brought me in from the roof." Angel didn't even look up from his desk as he replied. "No, it was Doyle. Sorry." Angel repressed a smile. He could hazard a guess as to the cause of the former May Queen's distress. "No! This is horrible! Now he'll start thinking that I like him." Cordy plopped down into a chair. Angel finally looked up from his work. Keeping his face blank Angel simply gazed at the young woman in front of him. "I thought you did like him. I thought he had potential." Cordelia look at Angel as though he were stupid. "Hello! I don't want him to know that!" Angel sighed exasperated. "Cordelia, listen to me. Doyle is not going to come to you crawling. He has way too much pride for that. If you want him, you're gonna have to show him that you're interested. You're not in high school anymore. Quit playing games." Cordelia sat speeches for a moment unsure of what to say. Angel simply went back to his work. ***** Trying to ignore the rave going on inside his head, Doyle reluctantly drug himself out of bed and into the shower. The shower cleared the cobwebs and eased the tension in his muscles, but did nothing to alleviate his headache. After dressing Doyle staggered downstairs to the agency. Opening the door to Angel's office he came upon a stunned Cordelia and a Casually busy Angel. "Good afternoon, Angel. Delia." "How's the head?" Angel inquired. "Hurts like a bitch." "It should. Oh by the way don't forget to clean the beer, win coolers etc. bottles up. You left a mess on the table." "Sure thing, Angel. Thanks, you're a real pal." Doyle muttered sarcastically. "Don't mention it." Angel stood up and left the office closing the door behind him. Cordelia and Doyle sat in awkward silence for a moment. Finally Cordelia spoke. "Would you like some coffee, Doyle?" Cordy stood anxious to get out of the office. "Yeah. Thanks." Doyle followed Cordelia into the lobby.He plopped down in a chair and watched Cordelia as she became absorbed in getting that cup of coffee. *Come on man, make your move. IF she didn't care she wouldn't have spend the night out on that room with ya. The worst she can do is fall over laughing, yeah?"* Cordelia glanced at Doyle out of the corner of her eye. *Oh God, he's staring at me. Is he gonna say something. Or is he gonna just stare all day?"* Bracing herself she turned her attention back to the coffee. "Here you go-" Cordelia broke off with a gasp as she turned to find Doyle standing directly behind her. She watched as he took the mug from her and placed it on the counter. "Doyle?" She questioned as her breath came in shallow gasps and her heart raced. She fell into the depths of his gently blue eyes, loosing herself in them. Doyle placed his hand under her chin and lowered his lips to hers. At first sweet and gently he pressed his lips more firmly against her and pulled her into his arms. Angel walked into the lobby and smiled at the couple. He returned to his office unnoticed. Doyle finally broke the kiss but didn't release Cordelia from his embrace. He held her tightly against him, her hands braced against his shoulders. Cordelia felt light headed as she gasped for breath. Again Doyle's eyes bore into hers. "How was that?" Doyle asked huskily. His fear of rejection was visible in his eyes. Cordy put his fears to rest by grabbing his face and kissing him back long and hard. *Screw it. I like him, he likes me, so why not?* Minutes later Cordy released the oh-so- willing Doyle. "Does that answer your question?" "Yes, ma'am. Princess, would you give me the pleasure of your company for dinner?" Doyle flashed her a charming smile finally daring to believe his luck. "Tonight at seven?" Cordy answered with a smile of her own. "It's a date." Doyle smiled again doing a victory dance in his head. With a final smile Cordy turned and walked to her desk.Doyle watched her a moment then turned and entered Angel's office. "About time." Angel comment again not looking up from his work. "What?" Doyle inquired confused. "You and Cordy. You two have been driving me nuts." "Well excuse me Boss. You're just so busy anyhow." Doyle returned sarcastically. "Angel way, Angel, do you think I could borrow a few bucks or get an advance in my pay or something?" "Why?" Angel asked turning his chair to face Doyle. "I'm taking Cordelia out to dinner tonight at seven. I wanna take 'er someplace nice." Doyle looked at Angel pleadingly. "Okay. Just call it compensation for your visions." Angel pulled out several hundred dollar bills. Doyle's jaw dropped. "Where did ya . . . how . . ." "I've made some investments." "You could've at least told us." Doyle muttered pocketing the money. "And thanks." "I could've." Angel agreed. "And you're welcome." ****** Doyle waited nervously for Cordelia in the lobby. He paced back and forth and it was driving Angel insane. "Doyle, sit down before you wear a hole in my floor!" Doyle smiled sheepishly. "Sorry man, just nervous." "Relax I hate to bring this up, but when are you gonna tell her about your demon half?" Doyle looked down at the floor. "Tonight. I just hope she doesn't hate me for it." "She won't." Angel assured him. Several moments later Cordelia made her appearance. She wore a long green dress that shimmered in the light. It was one of the few she had left. "Princess." Doyle smiled. "You look beautiful." "Thank-you." She took Doyle's arm. "So do you. Is that suit new?" Doyle nodded. "Well you look great in it." Cordelia steered Doyle to the door. "Later, Angel." Doyle waved and he and Cordelia were off on their date. "Yes." Angel turned off the lights and sat alone in the dark.