Title: Fools Rush In

Author: Syn

E-Mail: veruca_werewolf@hotmail.com

Rating: PG-13

Content: Gunn/Cordelia

Genre: Fluffy Romance

Time Period: Early Season Two, a week after Untouched

Summary: Gunn is determined to prank Cordelia--but he might take it too far.

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me.

A/N: This was written for Anni in answer to the Foolish Fic challenge on the Stranger Things board. I had trouble at first because G/C has never been a ship I liked, but I'm very happy with the results. :)

Feedback: Come on, you know you want to!

The Present

Cordelia Chase was having an odd night. She was crouched in a sewer, a rock digging into her bare foot and a stinging cut across her knuckles. Her brand new leather jacket was soaking wet and covered in demon slime that smelled like old, rotten cabbage. Her other clothing was just as wet and she couldn't help the way her body shivered in the damp air.

And oh yeah, she was kissing Charles Gunn.

Maybe that's why she wasn't complaining about the demon slime, ruined jacket, wet clothes and lost shoes. There wasn't room to protest. All she could do was hold on tight, her mouth slipping hungrily over Gunn's as he held her close, his wet clothing sticking to hers, head scraping the rounded curve of the sewer walls and a dead demon at their feet.

She couldn't help but think back to the strange day and what had brought them here in the first place.

It all started with a bet.

Earlier That Night

"I'm telling you, I'm far too crafty. You couldn't pull a practical joke on me if you tried." Cordelia said adamantly as she took a bite of her chicken sandwich. They were sitting in a little restaurant across from each other at a booth in the corner. It had been a slow day at the hotel and they were both glad to be rid of Wesley and his clucking. Not to mention Angel and his moping. When Gunn had suggested going out for dinner, she was more than glad to say yes, although she wasn't sure how the conversation had led to this.

Gunn glanced up from his hamburger, a dubious look on his face. "Please, I'm the master of prank. You could so get got."

"Can not."

"Can too."

"Pffftt...whatever." Cordelia said flippantly, setting down her sandwich. Gunn studied her for a moment and then smiled.

"You know, I bet before the week is up, I can pull a practical joke on you." He said, leaning toward her, his elbows on the little table.

"And I'm telling you there is no way in hell you could get me. I can so tell when you're planning something. You get all shifty-eyed." Cordelia retorted, leaning toward him too, pushing her long brown hair behind her ear absently.

"I do not!" He said as she watched him glance back and forth, his eyes flicking around the small restaurant they were currently patronizing. Cordelia laughed out loud and smacked him on the forehead. "Ouch!"

"See? You can't fool me!"

"Well then...how much you wanna bet?" He said, rubbing his forehead distractedly. She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. He really wasn't going to let this go and nobody got Cordelia Chase. "Well?"

"Okay, you have a week to pull a prank on me."

"And what do I get if I do?" He waggled his eyebrows at her and took a deep drink of his drink.

"I don't know. Name it." Cordelia said with a shrug as she picked up her chicken sandwich again. He set down his drink with a grin and looked her over.

"You gotta go out on a date with me."

"What?"

"Yup."

She looked him over and saw the seriousness in his eyes. "Will it be to another one of your ghetto parties? Cuz I really don't feel like another trip to the hospital."

"Ha-ha." He retorted, leaning back, a smug grin on his face.

"Well...what do I get?"

"What you mean?"

"If I don't get got after a week. What's my reward."

"Oh, you'll get got, don't worry about that. But if it makes you feel better, choose my punishment. I could be your personal bitch--I'm a man, I could deal with that."

"You would just love that, wouldn't you? No, you'll be my errand boy. And you'll...have to scrub my bathroom." She said, thinking of all the grime that had been building up on her tiles the past month.

"Hey, I gotta do way more than you! No fair!"

"Please, going out on a date with you is way worse than scrubbing my bathroom." She stuck her tongue out at him as his mouth flew open in outrage. "Besides, if you're so damned confident you can prank me, then I wouldn't worry about it."

"I ain't worried. Just want things fair is all."

"Whatever. So, we on?" Cordelia asked, holding out her hand.

"You bet your sweet ass, we are." Gunn said, taking her hand in his own and giving it a firm shake. Their eyes met over the table and Cordelia felt her stomach flutter, the smile on her face melting. His lips turned up at the corners and he lifted an eyebrow at her. His hand was warm and he didn't seem to feel the need to let go.

Suddenly, Cordelia's cell phone rang, breaking the tension between them. She jumped and let go of his hand, her heart going a mile a minute. Charles cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes tearing away from hers as she fished her cell phone out of her pocket.

"Hello?" She said as she flipped it on, trying to control the flutter in her stomach.

"Cordy? Oh thank God! Is Charles there?" Wesley's voice came over the phone, harried and tight.

"Yeah, he's right here...what's going on Wes?" Cordelia replied, glancing at Gunn, who was busy staring at his plate like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.

"We just got a client and Angel just disappeared earlier and we need someone on this right now." Wesley said as Cordelia felt a pang of worry go through her. Angel had been acting so weird lately.

"Well, what's the job?"

"The superintendent of the Wormwood Private School on Emerson says there's something in the school. A demon. He thinks it short-circuited the electricity. He says that he and the groundskeeper managed to trap it inside."

"Wow, a demon in a school? That makes me all nostalgic." Cordelia said dryly, glancing at Gunn, who had perked up at the mention of the demon. "So what did he want?"

"He wanted us to kill it before tomorrow, when classes start again. I need Gunn over there right now."

"What about Angel?"

"He didn't take his phone with him. Charles is going to have to do this one alone."

"What about you?"

"I'm still here with the superintendent. He's not taking this too well." Wesley sighed wearily and she swore she could almost hear him rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Right, well...we're on our way then. We'll keep in touch."

"Okay, be careful." Wesley said and then the line went dead. Cordelia flipped her phone closed and looked up at Gunn.

"Well, looks like you can finally use that ax of yours." She said dryly, drawing on her brand new leather coat.

"Yay! I could go for a little demon killing." Gunn said as he picked up the check and threw down a tip. "Come on Barbie, time to get paid!"

Cordelia followed him out the door of the little restaurant with a smile.

Wormwood Private School was small but stately. It sprawled over one block of Emerson Avenue, the carefully manicured lawn spreading out before them as Gunn pulled his truck to a stop in front of it. Cordelia peered out the window at the dark hump of the building, her eyes squinting for some sign of the demon.

"Well, there it is. I don't see the big bad, do you?"

"Wes said it was inside. I guess we're gonna have to go in there."

"Great. At least I have a flashlight." Gunn said as he hopped out of the cab of the truck and went around the bed. Cordelia got out and followed him as he pulled the tailgate down. "And I only have my ax with me."

"Good planning. Maybe we should go back to the hotel for reinforcements?"

"It's all good. I can take it alone." Gunn said with a confident shrug of his shoulders as he pulled his ax out of the bed of his truck. The metal glinted in the streetlight on the corner as he waved it in the air. Cordelia glared at him.

"You are not going in there alone!"

"What are you going to do, throw your shoes at the thing? You're not even dressed for demon hunting." Gunn said, pointing to Cordelia's short skirt and high heels. She glanced down at them and huffed out a breath.

"This is nothing. I was once hunted by a band of demons in formal wear and all I had was a spatula, so don't even start."

"Wait, the demons were wearing formal wear?"

"No, I was, jackass." Cordelia said, throwing up her hands in agitation.

"I've got to hear that story sometime." Gunn said as he jumped down from the bed of the truck, landing beside her. "It's gonna have to wait though. I got a demon to kill and a brand new ax to break in."

"Stop waving the stupid thing around. I've seen your penis metaphor." Cordelia said, smacking him on the arm.

"My what? Girl don't be talking about my penis." Gunn said, drawing the hubcap ax close to his chest as Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't! I...oh nevermind. Go kill your demon and leave me alone." Cordelia said, leaning back against the side of the truck, her arms crossed sullenly over her chest.

"You're not coming?"

"I wouldn't want to slow you down. Besides, these are expensive heels and my coat is brand new. If I got them dirty I'd have to blame you and no one would be happy." She sniffed as he sighed and glared at her standing stubbornly against his truck, her eyes turned toward the dark sky.

"So damned prissy. I swear, you need someone to take you down a peg or two."

"Well, you can do that as soon as you get back. Remember we have a bet going and my bathroom isn't getting any cleaner with you standing here flapping your mouth."

"Be careful what you wish for, Cordy." Gunn said with a scowl, then his face softened as she turned her gaze on him. He touched her shoulder gently. "Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad." She said quickly even though her posture told him she was. He sighed heavily and lifted his ax.

"Whatever. Be right back."

She watched him walk away, the flashlight and his ax in his hand, bald head shining in the streetlight. A jolt went through her heart as she glanced at the dark hump of the school stretching out before him. She really didn't want him going in there alone, but she knew he could handle himself. He was a born fighter and she admired that. Still, she didn't want him going in there without backup.

"Charles!" He turned around at her call and waited while she sprinted across the grass toward him. "Take one of the phones, okay? In case you need help, I'll be right here."

He looked down at the cell phone she pressed into his palm, her fingers soft against his own. She looked up and their eyes met; he felt a smile tugging at his mouth. "Thanks. I get in trouble I'll call for you and your spatula, kay?"

"'Kay. Now get going. And don't do anything stupid and be brave."

"You know me, babe, I'm a knight in shining armor." He smiled widely and pressed a kiss to her forehead as she smacked him away. He looked back once before he disappeared into the building, leaving her alone on the lawn, the other cell phone tucked in her hand.

She took a deep breath and wandered back to his truck, shivering slightly in the cool night air. Worry was a hard knot in her stomach as she watched the school, the phone clutched in her hand. All thought but his safety flew out of her mind. She forgot her annoyance at Angel and his strange behavior. She forgot about Wolfram & Hart and she forgot about trying to be mad at Gunn.

And most of all, she forgot about the bet.

Gunn walked through the hallways of the school, his sneakers lightly treading on the smooth wooden floors. He'd been in there for about forty-five minutes and hadn't found hide nor hair of the demon Wes had claimed was trapped in there. He only had a couple more classrooms and the pool to check out and he did so very quickly, growing more agitated as the minutes wore on. After the last classroom yielded nothing, he kicked open the door to the pool and looked around the room.

It was pitch-black in there, but he could smell the chlorine coming off the large body of water a few feet in front of him. He trained his flashlight on it and slowly started walking around it, peering into the darkened corners for some sign of the demon. Finally he gave up and took a deep sigh, the sound echoing through the huge, cavernous room.

He jumped as the cell phone in his hands suddenly rang to life. He fumbled it out of his pocket, wincing as the sound bounced off the walls and assaulted his ears. He flipped it open, expecting it to be Cordelia again. She'd already called three times to check on him, much to his mock annoyance. It actually touched him that she was so worried.

"Yo?"

"Charles?"

"Wes! What's up, English?"

"Just calling to check on your progress. Have you found it yet?"

"Man, I don't think it's in here anymore. I checked the basement and every freakin' classroom in the school, but I haven't seen anything demonic. Well, unless you count the pictures of Kenny G in the band room. That was just creepy."

"Did you check all the rooms?"

"Yes! There's nothing here, bro. Is that super dude still with you?"

"Yes."

"Ask him if this place has a sewer access somewhere in the building, would ya?"

There was a dry muffled sound and he could barely make out Wes talking to the superintendent. He got back on the phone a moment later. "He says it's in the boiler room, behind the boiler. That's where he first found the demon."

"Damn, well if it was in there then it's probably long gone by now. It's pretty useless to go hunting it down after so long."

"I think you're right. You and Cordelia pack it up and head back here."

"Got it." Gunn said shortly, hanging up and blowing out a deep breath. He stood there a minute, listening to the water dripping somewhere in front of him in the darkness. He trained his flashlight on the water again and a smile crossed his face.

Oh yeah. Cordelia Chase was gonna get got.

Outside, Cordelia paced in front of Gunn's truck, the cell phone clutched in her hands so tight her knuckles were white. Her stomach was in knots as she glanced at the school, wondering why in the world she let him talk her out of going in there. He could be dead or hurt or demon food and she was still out here like a prissy idiot because she didn't want to ruin her jacket.

She glanced down at the phone and lifted a finger to call him again, just to see if he was all right. He'd yelled at her not to the last time, but she couldn't help it. She had to know what was going on.

Just as her finger touched the redial button, it trilled to life, startling her half out of her wits. She immediately clicked it on and answered in a tight, anxious voice.

"Hello?"

"Cordy!! Help!" Gunn's voice was garbled and he was screaming. Fear wrapped around her head, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"Oh God! Charles! Are you okay?!"

"It's the demon! Help!" His voice was a harsh yell and she heard something clattering and the muffled sound of something roaring a challenge. There was a big splash and she heard him yell again.

"Where are you?" She said frantically, her fear giving her a burst of speed as she sprinted toward the school, her heels be damned.

"Arrgggghh!! Pool!" The line suddenly went dead and she was left with nothing but fear, her heart in her throat. She shoved the phone in her pocket as she ran toward the front entrance of the school. A window next to the door was pried open and she immediately hitched up her skirt and climbed inside, ignoring the painful dig of the window frame in thigh.

The inside of the school was pitch black and echoing. She looked around wildly for directions toward the pool as she sprinted down the hallway past the administrative offices. She slid past a sign and then doubled back to follow the black arrow toward the pool. She zoomed past empty classrooms, heading for the dark, window-fronted pool annex. The door was closed and she nearly yanked it off it hinges as she ran inside.

She kept running, frantic to get to Gunn, her heels clacking on the concrete. She couldn't see a thing, the smell of chlorine filling her lungs as she charged inside. She heard a sound to her left and turned toward it just as her foot struck air and she plunged backward, tumbling into the darkness.

"Shit!" She managed to get out before she was plunged into something cold and wet and deep. She kept sinking down, the sounds of laughter muffled by the surface of the water. She shook off her shock immediately and kicked for the surface of the water, losing her shoes as she went.

She gasped as her head hit the air, her lungs aching for breath. Her hair was plastered to her face and she could feel her makeup running. Her leather jacket was a sodden mess and so were the rest of her clothes.

But that wasn't the worst part.

Cordelia glared through the darkness at the man laughing at her from the side of the pool. His flashlight kicked on as she treaded water, anger seething in her chest.

"What's the matter Cordy?" He said innocently as he trained the light on her. "Did you fall for my simple, yet clever prank? Tsk, tsk. And here I thought you were too crafty to get got."

"I'm going to kill you." She forced out between her teeth as he crouched down near the edge of the pool.

"You can do that after our date. I think you should wear something red." Gunn said, a huge grin on his face.

"Screw you, butthead! I thought you were getting eaten by a demon!"

"And you believed me and just rushed in here like a bat out of hell! You know what they say, only fools rush in." Gunn said wisely. He started to hold out a hand for her, but thought better of it. He had a feeling she'd pull him in. She definitely looked mad enough.

Cordelia glared at him, water dripping off her perky nose as she started swimming toward him. She stopped suddenly, her eyes focusing elsewhere.

"Oh God..."

"Cordy?" Gunn said worriedly.

A second later her whole body spasmed in the water and she doubled over, crying out, her limbs seized. Gunn's eyes widened and he wavered for a moment, not sure if this was retaliation for what he'd done or something else. Suddenly, she sank below the surface of the water, thrashing uncontrollably, her mouth open, sucking in huge lungfuls of water. She disappeared down into the dark depths of the water where the thin beam of the flashlight couldn't penetrate.

Gunn made up his mind right there and dived in after as she sank down to the bottom of the dark pool. He stroked hard after her, his heavy clothing weighing him down. He opened his eyes and blinked as they burned, but he didn't close them.

Muffled sound roared in his ears as he stroked hard through the cold water until he saw her a few feet ahead, lying on the bottom of the pool, her body still seized in a rictus of pain. He grabbed her immediately, wrapping his arms around her middle and kicking off from the bottom of the pool.

His lungs were bursting as they broke the surface of the water and stroked over to the edge of the pool. Cordelia's face was pale and her head was thrown back against his sodden shoulder.

"Cordy? Talk to me. girl!"

Her eyes fluttered open and she coughed hard, water pouring out of the corner of her mouth. "Charles?"

"It's me. I got ya. What happened?"

"Vision." She said weakly, wincing at the pain in her head. She felt numb and cold. Slowly he helped her up onto the hard concrete ledge, treading water as she collapsed above him. She coughed again, expelling more water and drawing in huge lungfuls of air.

"Of?" He asked as he propelled himself out of the water with a huge splash. His clothing weighed a ton as water spilled off of them both. Cordelia shivered as he gathered her up against his chest. "What was the vision of, Cordy?"

Cordelia winced and shook her head again. Clarity flooded her eyes and she gasped, grabbing a hold of Gunn's broad shoulder. "That!"

Gunn turned in her arms and his eyes widened as a huge, horny demon with two heads bore down on them both. Both heads were a mass of teeth and horns that protruded wherever there weren't teeth. One small, beady eye was perched in the top of each head. The heads were perched on long, snake like heads and the shared body was a tiny, fat pit bull shaped thing covered in more horns.

"Damn, you're one ugly sucker." Gunn said as he turned around, protecting Cordelia's prone body with his own. In response, both heads screeched at him in a clicking language, the teeth gnashing together, and saliva dripping from its jaws in slippery yellow ropes.

"Don't tease the thing, Gunn!" Cordelia said roughly as she clung to his back. They stood as one and started backing off as the thing advanced on them. "Where the hell is your ax?"

"Over there." He said, nodding his head in the direction of the bleachers, where he'd been sitting, waiting for Cordelia to come in.

"That's kind of far."

"I kinda noticed that."

"So what are we gonna do?"

"You're gonna run for the exit while I try and kill this nasty bastard."

"No way! I waited in the truck once already! I'm not a damsel in distress."

"Did I imply that you were?"

"Yes."

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

The demon barked in impatience and they both glared at it, Cordelia clutching Gunn's shoulders harder.

"Right. You draw it's attention and I'll get the ax. Try not to get killed. Its my first week on the job and I'd like to keep my new meal ticket, okay?"

"As long as you don't do something stupid either. I promised to protect you remember?"

"Got it. Now!"

They broke apart, Cordelia charging toward the exit and Gunn running toward the bleachers. The demon went for the nearest target, Cordelia; it's jaws snapping at her as she dodged it. Gunn slid in a pool of water and snatched up his brand new ax, turning around just as Cordy dived out of the way of one of the demon's heads.

While it's attention was on her, he rushed up and swung at the nearest head. The ax whistled through the air and the first head swiveled in his direction, jaws snapping at his head. He ducked a lunge and rolled, his knee banging painfully on the concrete. He winced in pain and jumped back up, swinging his ax again, only to have the demon duck his blow.

He saw Cordelia grab up a folding chair from against the wall and swing it at the head that was directed at her. She managed to connect and the chair was brought back with a huge dent in it from the bumps on the demon's head. She swung again as the head that was concentrating on Gunn swung toward her, screeching in pain.

Gunn saw his opportunity and swung the ax upward in a deadly arch. The second head was severed neatly from the tiny, pit bull body with ease, icky yellow goo spurting out everywhere. The first head screamed in pain and immediately fell over on its side, legs thrashing in the air. It gave one last grunt and then lay still.

Gunn lifted his ax up and examined the edge for any chipping. When he didn't see any, he smiled and looked up.

"Now this is a mad cool weapon."

Cordelia lowered her dented chair and glared at him. "I'm glad you're having fun."

"I got to kill something. That always feels good, babe." He said as he lowered his ax and walked over to her. She threw down the chair and stared in disgust at the demon on the ground.

"Should we just leave it here or...?"

Her words were cut off as the demon suddenly thrashed its lone head, the bloody stump of it's severed head still oozing yellow liquid. The head connected with Cordelia's leg, knocking her backward. She fell on the concrete and scrambled to get out of the way as the demon reared up on its legs again.

It screamed in pain and charged at Gunn, it's lone eye wild, more yellow blood showing in its teeth. Gunn dodged it and scooped up Cordelia as he ran toward the exit.

Together they burst out into the hallway, followed closely by the bleeding, screeching demon. It was wild and acting only on instinct and Gunn could see the madness in its eye. It would kill itself just to get a taste of their flesh and he knew it. He had to get Cordelia out of there.

"Come on!" He dragged her down the hallway, her bare, wet feet slipping on the wooden floors. "The exit's this way!"

"Shortcut!" Cordelia said, grabbing him and pulling him down a different hallway. The demon disappeared behind them and Gunn almost heaved a sigh of relief, until they round the corner and nearly ran smack dap into the demon. It roared up on its tiny legs, mouth snapping at the air.

He took a swing at it again and was rewarded by a smack in the chest from its horny neck. Cordelia grabbed him by the back of his shirt before the demon could swing again and bite him. They ran back the way they came, Cordelia in the lead. She suddenly grabbed him, shoving him toward a doorway on his right.

He pulled it open and pushed her inside, stumbling forward as his feet hit dark steps. He recognized it as the boiler room he'd already been in earlier. He suddenly remembered what Wesley had said and he grabbed at Cordelia in the darkness, tugging her toward the boiler.

The trapdoor leading to the sewer was open and there was slippery saliva pooled around the opening, telling him that the demon had definitely come up from there.

"Down here! Hurry up!" He barked as the basement door crashed off its hinges and the demon tumbled down the stairs, landing in a screeching, smelly sprawl at the bottom. Cordelia didn't have to be told twice. She took a deep breath and jumped into the dark hole, landing in a puddle, pain vibrating up her legs as her bare feet hit the hard ground. She cursed and rolled out of the way as Gunn jumped down after her.

He helped her back up and they started down the tunnel just as the demon jumped down after them. It landed on it's feet and charged at them before Cordelia could blink.

Gunn whirled and brought up the ax, intending to slice the second head off. The blade glanced off a horn and clattered out of his hands. The neck swung at him again before he could recover. He was slammed against the rounded wall of the tunnel, the back of his head hitting the bricks with the sound of a melon splitting. He slumped down, his eyes rolling up in his head.

Cordelia gasped and moved to go to his side, but the demon barked and bared its teeth at her. Fear threaded through her chest and she glanced at the ax lying not more than three feet from her.

The demon stared at her, the long neck weaving like a cobra on its tiny, fat body. She took a deep breath and rolled to the right just as the demon lunged at her. She landed in a sprawl, fingers groping for the handle of Gunn's ax. She found it and brought it up just in time to stop the demon from lowering its head to bite at her.

One of its horns hooked on the shaft of the ax, slicing her fingers. She gasped in pain and kicked out her leg. Her bare foot hit the demon square in it's runty chest. It gave a grunt and backed off as she climbed quickly to her feet. It charged her again and she swung the ax, the edge of the blade glancing off the bricks as she missed.

It lunged at her again and she managed to twist out of its way, her wet hands slipping on the handle of the ax. The neck hit her before she could twist back out of the way. She gasped in pain and stumbled backward, leaning her head away as the demon snapped in her face, hot saliva and blood from the stump of it's other neck landing on her jacket.

She glanced at the icky yellow liquid on her new jacket. It was soaking wet and ruined anyway, but that wasn't the point. She had icky demon blood on her now.

"That's it."

With a might swing, she brought the ax swiftly across the demon's remaining neck. It garbled a cry and fell away from her, but she pulled back the ax and swung again, severing the head from its body. She whacked again, cutting into the ribs on it's small body. A horn was cut in half and she just kept whacking until the thing wouldn't even twitch.

Finally she drew in a deep breath, her arm aching from holding the ax. It was too heavy for her and she was afraid she'd wrenched her shoulder out of socket swinging it.

A moan suddenly rang through the damp air of the tunnel, making her jump. She turned toward the owner of the voice, her heart spasming as she saw Gunn still slumped against the wall of the tunnel. She rushed over to him, crouching down on the bricks, her hands going around his neck.

"Gunn? You okay? Talk to me, doofus!" She said, slapping his face lightly. His eyes rolled open, eyelashes fluttering. His eyes closed again and she slapped him harder. "Wake up!"

His eyes fluttered open and he slowly focused on her, hovering before him, a frightened, worried expression on her face, water dripping from her chin and her jacket covered in demon goo.

"Cordy?"

"That's me. You okay?"

"What happened?"

"You got knocked out and I had to rescue you." She said, flashing a wry grin at him. He slowly stood up, his head scraping the top of the low tunnel.

"Ow. Damn...and why are we all wet?"

"Because you pushed me into the pool." She said, an eyebrow arching at him as he glanced at her sharply.

"No I didn't!"

"Just making sure you were all you in there." Cordy said as he rubbed the bump on the back of his head and surveyed the dead demon lying on the bricks before them. She leaned toward him, propping his ax against the sewer wall next to his leg.

"Wow. Good job."

"Yeah, I know. I kick ass." She said, looking back at him, her nose scrunching as she reached around to the back of his head. She tenderly touched the bump and watched as he winced. "Oh yeah...it's all fun and games until you get hurt. So you owe me your life now."

"How about a date instead?" He said, his hands orbiting her hips as she leaned against him, her fingers rubbing the bump gently.

"Pffftt!"

"Ha-ha, princess. You ain't got no choice. I pranked you fair and square and you know it."

"Did not."

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did--" His words were cut off as she pulled his mouth down on hers, her body pressed against him. His hands descended on her hips and he pulled her against him, fingers roaming across her wet clothing.

His mind raced and he felt dizzy--and not just from the bump on his coconut. He couldn't believe they were...kissing.

Neither could she as she shifted closer to him, her hands clenching around his neck as his hands spread out across her back. She wasn't sure what had made her do it...but she definitely didn't mind. He was quite a good kisser. Shifting, she accidentally bumped into something with her knee and jumped when it clattered to the damp bricks with a metallic thwang.

Gunn jumped, pulling his mouth away from her and casting a dazed glance at his fallen ax. He looked back at Cordy, noting her wild appearance and the demon slime covering her jacket.

"Oops?" Cordy said with a grin, lacing her fingers in the collar of his shirt. He smirked and landed a light, hungry kiss on her lips again.

"So...who's the man?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, his mouth hovering over hers. She glanced down at her wet clothing and rolled her eyes.

"Please, you think pushing--"

"I didn't push you!" Gunn interrupted, but she went right on, glaring at him.

"Pushing me into a pool is a great practical joke then you're sorely mistaken, jackass." The way her fingers rubbed his neck took the sting out of her words and he held her closer, his mouth moving to her jaw line, lips lightly touching her skin.

"You're just pissed because the great Cordelia Chase got got." He whispered in her ear as she pulled away, glaring at him.

"Am not!"

"Are too!" The way he grinned at her flaming cheeks made her knees waver and she soon melted into another kiss. She took a deep breath, as he pulled away and whispered in her ear.

"Oh yeah, you want me." He said, grinning widely, his hands on her lower back pressing her into his stomach. She took another, deep, shaking breath and swallowed hard.

"Do not." She said even as she drew his mouth down onto hers again.

"Do too." He said between kisses as he dragged in lungfuls of air.

"Do not."

"Would you shut up already?"

"Fu--" Her reply was cut off as he picked her up around the waist, her legs going around his hips and his mouth descending over hers once more.

After that, there wasn't time to talk