Disclaimer – I don't own Angel: The Series or any of its characters.

Summary – Set in Season Four. AU. What if the spell in "Spin the Bottle" went a little differently? And, just how will Angel Investigations deal with the aftermath?

Spoilers – "Spin the Bottle"

Genre's – Drama, Friendship, Adventure, Angst and Supernatural.

Warning – Possibly some OOC-ness. I'm not that good at characterization, although I try, I really do. :)

.oOOo.

A/N – Well, I watched the episode of Angel this morning on TNT and thought to myself, 'What if things went a little differently...?' Thus, during my extremely borring (nothing at all to do) half day at school while everyone else takes their PSSA's, I sit here and write this very... interesting story. I'm so glad I don't have to take my tests till the middle of March!

And, I post it over two weeks later... Oh well.

.oOOo.

Counterclockwise

Chapter 1 – Preparations

Lorne sighed as he watched Cordelia and Angel talk. He wanted to help, he really did. He had gotten a spell from one of his regulars at the bar; she had been more than happy to give it to him. It would, in theory, help Cordelia remember everything. He just hoped that it worked. This was hard, for all of them – not just Angel. Anyone who knew Cordelia's friends could see that they were all in pain, all worried. Poor Fred didn't know what to do with herself, Wesley was researching, and Gunn just wanted some action.

"So," Cordelia was saying, "You don't know if we were in love?"

Angel sighed. "Cordelia, I... I don't know how to explain this to you. We were... best friends, I know that for sure. We... we were supposed to meet, to talk... about our feelings..."

Cordelia snorted. "Sure, Mr. Creepy Vampire guy. You're a vampire, aren't you?"

Angel nodded reluctantly. He had a feeling he knew where this was going.

Cordelia plowed on, uncaring of his feelings. Well, you're supposed to be all... 'I can't love anyone because of my curse', right?"

Angel just watched her. He knew, somehow, that the question of if he could love or be loved would come up. He knew that Buffy would come up, as she always seemed to. He knew, that Cordelia, being Cordelia, would say something... that seemed uncaring, but really was just her way of defending herself. He had mentally prepared himself for everything. Everything, it seemed, but the truth.

"You, mister, need to get yourself out of that sense of mind. Find yourself someone. You deserve it. I may not remember, hell, I may not even have cared..."

"You cared, Cordelia." Angel said quietly.

"Well," Cordelia brushed off the sincere statement with her own. "I don't know if I loved you, Angel... But I'm sure that someday, someone will..."

Angel wanted her to stop talking. He wanted, more than anything, for the old Cordy back. The one who knew what she was talking about. The one who was caring and supportive at the same time, and actually meant it. He knew that, deep down, it wasn't Cordelia's fault that she couldn't remember anything. It was during times like these that he admired people like Wesley, who could seemingly so easily forget the friendships he had had, write them off as aquaintanceships and be done with them. He had gotten attached to Cordelia Chase, he knew. She had, in turn, become his best friend, and he hers. Now, that her memories were gone... he realized just how much she had changed from the Sunnydale High cheerleader. His heart ached for Cordelia's mental return to him.

"Hello, Earth to Angel!"

Angel snapped out of his mental brood session and looked at Cordelia. She looked put out that he hadn't been paying attention to her.

"Sorry, Cordy..." he tried to appoligize. "What did you say?"

Cordelia sighed. "I said that I could remember everything... the shoe stores in L.A., the president, everything... except, for my own name. I feel really, majorly stupid right now. I can remember everything but this... Angel Investigations."

Angel reached over putting his hand on hers. He could really, sincerely feel for her. She had lost everything... and remembered little things, but did not remember her own life.

"Hey," he soothed. We're gonna help you, Cordelia. We're gonna get you back."

"What if I can't ever remember, Angel. You remember everything... But I don't."

Angel wasn't sure what to say to that. Yes, he remembered everything... He remembered too much, sometimes.

The door burst open, and Lorne entered, appoligizing for scaring Cordelia.

"Angelcakes, I've found a surefire way for our Cordy to remember everything!" he explained, brandishing a piece of paper in Angel's face. "I already have all of the ingreediants we need to do it..."

"Woe, green guy!" Cordelia interrupted angrily. "Who gave you the right to... to... give me... You really can give me my memories back?" she asked, the fire behind her eyes gone.

Of course, sweetheart," Lorne assured her, taking a hesitent step forward. "We all care about you, Darling... We just want what's best for you..."

Cordelia edged away from Lorne, her gaze taking in Angel, who was staring at Lorne with... hope? He wanted her to remember, Cordelia realized. She had thought that it was all an act; just a man – well, vampire – wanting to get her in his bed, or something like that... But the hope, the almost desperate look in Angel's eyes... made her reconsider her earlier assumptions.

"How do we do it?" she asked.

"I don't trust spells, Lorne," Angel cut in. "I don't want..."

"I don't care!" Cordelia broke in. "If it'll make me remember, even if it messes me up more, but I'll remember... I don't care. I'm doing it."

.oOOo.

"We just need Wesley." Lorne explained.

"he's on his way," angel said quietly. "I already told him about the spell."

Lorne hid his shock well. Angel calling Wesley? Only for Cordelia, he knew. The vampire with a soul would do almost anything for Cordelia.

"I'm here, Lorne," a voice said from the doorway. Wesley entered, not really looking at anyone. Lorne noticed just how Gunn was looking at wesley. A case of jealousy, by the looks of it. Gunn was just worried about Fred.

"What do I have to do?" Wesley asked.