"Have you found anything yet, Wesley?" Cordelia asked two weeks later.

The coma spell on Mnemosyne was still holding. Someone, usually Doyle, would go check on the Goddess to make sure everything was as it should be. Everything had gotten more or less back to normal. Everyone, except Spike who went back to Sunnydale, worked together to defeat whatever visions Cordelia and Doyle had.

Angel, however, was still in a funk, upset that his little sister had died...again. He had figured that her restoring his humanity was her sign of forgiving him. Doyle had explained that Virginia had had a destiny to fulfill and, apparently, now she had.

Angel and Cordy had been fighting since it happened. She couldn't understand that in a matter of a few moments Gin had done a complete 180 and started working on the side of good. Now he hadn't spoken to her in two days since the argument came to a head. Now she was searching for something that would help Angel fill the hole he was apparently feeling. And she had an idea how to do it, but she wasn't sure how to accomplish it.

"Not yet, Cordelia. I am not even sure that a spell like that exists," the former watcher answered, looking through another book.

"It must exist. After all, Doyle is alive again."

"But a Goddess brought him back to life. She is probably able to perform spells no one else can."

"I refuse to take that for an answer, Wesley," Cordelia protested. She walked to the door after picking up her purse and keys.

"Where are you going?"

"To visit someone who may know the answer."

_()o()_ _()o()_ _()o()_

Cordelia looked around Carita's, her eyes landing on the Host, who was up on stage singing a song. He had just started so she waited for him to get off the stage.

"I need answers. May I get up there?" she nodded toward the stage.

"Of course," the host smiled, making his way back up on stage. It had been a slow couple of days. People came into the club, but didn't need any answers. "And now, for your pleasure, the warrior's beautiful assistant, Cordelia!"

She smiled and got up onto the stage and took the microphone. The opening strains of the music started to play and she started to sing in her slightly off-key voice.

"Ooooooo, Ooooooo, Ooooooo"

"Everybody's tellin all, baring their souls,
Just to go on the Rikki Lake Show
Shoo-bi-doop-doop-why
Last night I turned the TV on,
You were booed off stage, singin your famous love song
Why
And tell me who makes the rules"

She closed her eyes and tried not to think of all the eyes trained on her. Acting in front of people was one thing; singing in front of people was another one entirely.

"Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Wanna belong to the world today
Oh, Life's a bitch and then ya die
Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Can't believe what I heard today
Oh yeah, Life's a bitch and then ya die"

That last line made her think about Doyle and then about Virginia and one day Angel would be in the same position.

"Shoo-bi-doop-bow
I mean, while I got my magazine tellin me,
Sellin me lies on how I could be the perfect ten
Shoo-bi-doop-doop-why
And my boyfriend left just the other day,
He's all messed up, is he straight or is he gay
Shoo-bi-doop-doop-why
So tell me who makes the rules"

"Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Wanna belong to the world today
Oh, Life's a bitch and then ya die
Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Can't believe what I heard today
Oh yeah, Life's a bitch and then ya die"

Someday they would all go through that...someday they'd all die and, to Cordelia, it seemed almost as if the PTB were just testing them to see who could amuse them the most.

"So if I fall
If I fall...oh...all"

"Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Wanna belong to the world today
Oh, Life's a bitch and then ya die
Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Can't believe what I heard today
Oh yeah, Life's a bitch and then ya die"

"Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Wanna belong to the world today
Oh, Life's a bitch and then ya die
Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Can't believe what I heard today
Oh yeah, Life's a bitch and then ya die"

She had heard one time on "Xena: Warrior Princess" that life was just a game that the gods played for their own amusement. She guessed that it was still true.

"Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Wanna belong to the world today
Oh, Life's a bitch and then ya die
Shoulda been born on the Milky Way
Can't believe what I heard today
Oh yeah, Life's a bitch and then ya die"

The music faded out and she took a small bow and got off the stage, heading toward the Host.

"What can you tell me? Is it possible?"

"I would think so, sister," the host smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, which he then handed to her. "Virginia gave me this about a day after your little British friend came in asking about her. She gave this to me and told me to give it to you guys if Doyle were to die again. I hope it helps."

"Thank you." Cordelia left and looked at what it is that Gin had wanted them to have. As she read, a large smile crossed her face.

_()o()_ _()o()_ _()o()_

That night Angel was sitting on the edge of the roof, looking out over the city, thinking about his sister. He still loved her, even though she didn't have a soul. He wished that she were still around. He knew that by Mnemosyne turning on her, she had switched to his side. He had seen the way she fought those vamps and she would have made an awesome ally and friend.

He heard the roof door open and close and he recognized the sound of Cordelia's shoes on the cement of the roof as she came closer. She sat down next to him and put her arm around him and gave him a slight hug.

"How are you doing?" she asked softly

"Same," he replied in a monotonous voice that reminded him of Virginia in front of the mausoleum.

"I'm sorry. I think I understand about your sister though. She could have changed. It's happened before. I can't think of a specific instance, except for Spike, but I think I understand."

Angel gave a half smile. "Thank you."

"I have a surprise for you. I think you'll like it. But you're gonna have to stand up."

"What is it?" he asked suspiciously.

"Stand up and you'll find out." When he did as she said, she continued. "Now close your eyes until I tell you to open them."

Angel started to protest but was cut off by her look then he quickly complied. He heard her move away from him, her heels clacking all the way. A short while later they came back toward him.

"Okay, you can open your eyes." Angel heard the smile in her voice. He opened his eyes and they widened as he saw his sister in front of him.

"Virginia?" he asked softly.

"It's me Angel. I'm alive," she replied, a soft smile on her face. Angel smiled back and she ran into his open arms, giving him a large hug.

"I forgive you," she whispered into his ear.

The End

{{Song Credit: "Life's a Bitch" by Caporaso/Kelly/Thompson. Published by EMI April Music Inc./Luciana Caporaso Publishing/David Thompson Publishing/Patrick Kelly Publishing (ASCAP) and is sung by Shooter.}}