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Title: Black Roses
Author: Ashlee
E-mail: RubysAndPearls@aol.com
Disclaimer: I don't own them! If you really want to sue me, I got a quarter
in my pocket.
Distribution: Ask first please! :)
Spoilers: Dad (Angel) and Gone (Buffy)
Summary: What would have happened if Angel didn't leave his group in the cold
in Dad, but drove to Buffy's for help instead?
Rating: PG13-R for language.
Pairings: B/A and just a little B/S and all the other regular couples in the
show.
Feedback: Yes, please!!!
Angel swallowed hard and he gripped the new born baby to his chest. His fleeting brain was amazed how the baby seemed to be calm and Angel wished he had that peace of mind. The unfamiliar feeling of running and leaving everyone behind was strong.
Angel Investigations was under attack. The spell that Lorne has put up at the hotel was breaking under the cult's override. Everyone was armed with weapons but Angel knew it would do no good. More than 50 vampires and other demons wanted his child dead. The child was only a day old, God damnit!
"I guess we fight." Gunn said, even though there was a feeling of dread in his stomach.
"Angel, give the baby to Lorne, the spell is not going to last that long." Wesely said, holding his weapon tighter. Lorne held out his arms but Angel moved away from him. An image of vampires attacking the defenseless Lorne and the baby shot through his head.
"I have to get out of here." The ensouled vampire said quickly, before anyone could question his movement.
"Where are we supposed to go? The whole city of LA is looking for that baby."
Cordelia said, annoyance evident in her voice. Angel noticed the emphasis on 'we'.
"Is there a place outside of Los Angeles?" Fred asked, innocently. She pushed her glasses up and little more and fidgeted when Cordelia looked at with a raised eyebrow. Cordelia looked to Angel then to Wesely.
"There is." Wesely confirmed, looked pointedly at Angel. Lorne and Gunn watched the exchange between the three. Angel shook his head, tightening his hold on his child. He did not want to get the Sunnydale gang into this mess he created.
There was a loud slam and the crackle of energy around the hotel. Lorne looked up at the flash of blue.
"Uh oh." Gunn muttered, as if on clue the doors of the hotel were slammed in.
Vampires and demons entered from all around, through back doors, windows, and any other openings. Wesely fired his flame thrower and Gunn went into his fighting stance.
"You were saying, Angel-cakes?" Lorne asked sweetly, as Angel quickly backed away. Angel was already heading toward the sewers, holding his child against his coat.
"Lets go!" The vampire yelled.
******
Buffy sighed sadly and she sat next to Willow down on the curb. Willow confessed to her that it was hard without using her powers but she had made it. Buffy wished she could say the same. The fling with Spike was getting more intense every time. She hated it, hated herself for liking it. The cold skin reminded her of...no. Stop.
Buffy ran her fingers through her short hair. She liked the new look, for more ways then one. The new Buffy. A fresh start, no more death wishes, no more Goddesses, and no more crying. No more Spike. A part of her was angry that he kicked her out but another part of her was weeping with gratitude. Spike was just a substitute for the ache inside her.
"We should get home, I still have to talk to Dawn." Buffy said, she was dreading it. Sometimes she felt that her sister could never understand, even though she probably does. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought of Dawn being taken away from her. Today was just too close for comfort. The damn social worker was going to take her Dawnie away to some foster parents, who didn't know anything. Buffy felt sorry for anyone who had to go through that.
"Yeah." Willow said softly as she pushed herself up. She wasn't looking forward to more reminders of her magic abuse at the Summer's house but she had no other place to go. The Wicca's mind flashed back to Oz, she often wondered what he was doing, where he was, and how he was. She could do a spell and...no. Willow stopped herself before temptation became to great.
"Off we go." Buffy said with fake cheerfulness.
Part 2
Angel glanced frantically in the rearview mirror. Only 3 cars were now chasing him down the highway to Sunnydale. They had gotten rid of the chanting demons and 2 vampire cults by swerving in and out of lanes. They meaning the whole Angel Investigation plus Lorne and the child, were squeezed inside Angel's convertible. Lorne was in the passenger seat, Angel was driving, and everyone else was in the back.
Angel's nervousness increased as an image of them getting into a car accident flashed in his head. His child was in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.
"Angel, you should really hand the baby over to somebody else to hold, especially in the car." Wesely said, leaning forward. Angel didn't say anything but didn't hand the baby over, either. Cordelia sighed and she surpressed the anger she was feeling. It didn't work.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" She finally yelled. Angel winced from the high squeal of her voice and looked down to make sure the baby wasn't disturbed. He just sat there with his mouth open and his greedy eyes taking in everything.
Angel felt his lips quirk a bit at the expression that his child was making. His child, he would never get used to the sound of that. The vampire took the eyes of the infant and quickly swerved to the left lane causing horns to honk and Lorne to slam into him. Angel quickly moved the baby away from the singing demon.
Fred turned in her seat and glanced at the back window. She counted only 2 cars now.
"We lost that human cult." Fred updated. "Those monks don't give up, do they?"
"I didn't need to hear that." Gunn muttered and let out a groan when his head slammed into the window from another quick turn.
"Almost there." Angel said softly to nobody.
Buffy swallowed, it was 2:00 in the morning and all she could think about was the uneasy feeling in her stomach. She felt as if she was about vomit but nothing ever happened. The slayer sighed and pushed herself up. Her meeting with Dawn was worse then she could imagine. Dawn refused to talk to her before repeatedly asking if she was invisible. Then they had argued a little, then the subject changed to how Dawn wanted *her* hair cut.
Buffy rubbed her eyes as she walked down the stairs for some water. Everyone in the house was sleeping and that was the last thing Buffy could think about. If she fell asleep then she knew the disturbing feeling in her stomach would multiply and haunt her dreams. When she reached her destination, the kitchen, she grabbed a cup of orange juice. She turned to place it on the table but dumped into Spike instead.
Buffy jumped, startled, then forced herself to calm down.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked, moving away from him to sit down at the table.
"What in the bloody hell did you do to your hair?!" Spike exclaimed, standing next to her chair. The vampire went to reach out to grab a few strands but Buffy moved away.
"I cut it." Buffy remarked.
"Obviously." Spike snapped. "You cut your hair because you know how I like it long."
"Pretty much." Buffy drawled. That was the reason she cut it. She couldn't stand that there was something about her that Spike, *William the Bloody*, could write poetry about.
"Your a messed up bint, ya know that?" Spike replied, taking a drag from his cigarette. Buffy watched the smoke swirl around the air before it faded away.
Just like she wanted to right now. I have to get through this, Buffy thought strongly. If Willow could go a day without magic then I could defiantly go a day with Spike.
Spike moved to stand behind her, gently tracing designs on her back. Buffy shivered and moved away from him.
"What's wrong, slayer? You were begging me before." Spike grinned.
"Then you kicked me out because you didn't never have all of me." Buffy paused. "And never will."
Spike's jaw tightened. "It's about my grand-sire again, isn't it?" Buffy didn't reply, she couldn't. Angel was still a soft spot for her, more then ever. She could still remember how gently he held her after she confessed to him that she was not in hell. The slayer could still remember how the room, that they had rented at this cheap motel, smelled. It was the best thing, meeting with Angel, after she came back. The only real thing.
"He is not even in your life and he is still screwing it up! First with that Captain Cardboard and now me." Spike threw his hands up in the air. He could not believe this.
"No, Riley and I were a relationship. You are just a fling, something cold to lay in bed next to when I'm lonely." Buffy stood up. "You don't even care, you are just *so* in love with me that you don't even care that I'm hurting."
"The only thing that should be hurting is that vampire group outside your house!" A new voice joined the conversation. Buffy whirled around to see Cordelia, Wesely and other people she didn't recognize. Angel was no where to be seen. Buffy pushed her feelings away and grabbed a stake from the kitchen counter.
"Spike go get my crossbow from my room." Buffy ordered, taking charge quickly.
"Where is Angel?" Buffy asked Wesely as she went to the front door. She frowned when she saw 15 vampires on her front yard. They were yelling for a...child?
"Obviously there has been a misunderstanding! Please remove yourself from my yard and crawl back to hell, or *I* will remove you." Buffy shouted at the vampires. She stepped over the threshold and they all charged.
Part 3
Buffy spun around, her foot raised, and knocked a vampire into the tree branch. Buffy spun and backhanded the next one before the vampire's ashes hit the ground. She could see Spike take out 2 more and Angel was still no where to be seen. Buffy wondered briefly if he had even came. Buffy elbowed the vampire in the stomach and then slammed the stake home. Buffy looked around and saw the bleach blonde vampire slamming the crossbow arrow into the last vampire's heart.
Spike casually wiped the ashes off his duster, as if the fight was a stroll in the park.
"That was fun." He quipped, grabbing another cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with ease. But the slayer wasn't paying attention to him, for she was half way to the front door.
Dawn came running out.
"What the hell was that?" The brunette demanded with her hands on her hips.
"Just a little vampire trouble." Buffy muttered. "Get back inside, Dawn. There could be more." The blonde pushed her little sister back inside the house. Dawn glared at her.
"I don't have to." She said stubbornly.
"Yes, you do. I have company that need help." Buffy said, gesturing to Cordelia who smiled slightly.
"Ugh!" Dawn said, throwing her hands up and stomping up the stairs. Buffy sighed as she heard the door slam. Twice. Dawn always liked to do it twice, as if the first time did not add as much on to Buffy's headache as much as she would have liked.
Buffy smiled to Cordelia apologetically.
"Well, super slayer. Since our boss is doing what he does
best...hiding...then I guess I'll be the one to explain." When Cordelia yelled out 'hiding', Angel stepped out from the dining room. Buffy felt the familiar and wanted shivers of hot and cold down her spine. What shocked Buffy the most was the way her ex-lover was tenderly holding a child in his arms. He looked at Buffy and she shuddered at the flash of despair in his eyes. But as soon as it had come it was gone.
"What's going on?" Buffy said softly. Angel opened his mouth to explain but was interrupted by an excited British accent.
"Peaches!" Spike exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing here...and with a kid?"Angel frowned and turned his back to Spike, sheltering the baby.
"Whats he doing here?" Wesely asked.
"Its all right, he is harmless."
"Who is he?" Gunn spoke up. Buffy looked him over.
"Who are you?" She replied back. The African-American stepped forward, holding out his hand.
"Charles Gunn. With two n's." Buffy shook his hand and her lips twitched up in amusement as she felt him look her up in down.
"I'm Fred." Said a long brown haired girl. She had glasses and she reminded Buffy of a defenseless computer geek. But if she was with Angel, she was more than what she seemed.
"Angel rescued me from another dimension. I was there for over five years, but now I'm back. I help Angel with weapons and I help Wesely on computers. I can also paint walls-" Fred babbled but was cut off by Cordelia.
"Hun, enough autobiography." Buffy smiled at Cordy's tactless comment. Fred looked sheepish. Buffy smiled at the shy girl, she took a liking to her already. The slayer turned back to Spike was busy bugging Angel by looking over his shoulder, trying to get a better look at the baby in his arms. Angel pushed him back.
"Leave the guy alone. Mother bear gets angry when you mess with the little one." A green skin demon that Buffy never seen before spoke up. Buffy clutched her stake, ready for action.
"Woah, calm down, sweetie. Names Lorne." The ex-bar owner shook Buffy's hand.
"New additions?" Buffy smiled at Wesely, who shrugged.
"To the point, why are you guys here?" Buffy asked, offering them to sit down in the living room. Everyone took a seat except for Spike who stood behind Buffy and Angel who was busy looking out the window.
"It seems that we are in need your help." Wesely said, he glanced at Angel then continued. "The child has many enemies. The vampire cult included." The watcher indicated to the front yard.
"Well, then lets kill the little runt. Get rid of your problems." Spike quipped, dropping into the seat next to Buffy. "I know how you always used to love a baby killing, Angelus."
Buffy noted when Angel looked up, pain and fear evident on his features.
"Shut up, Spike." Buffy said dryly. Wesely eyed the Billy Idol look-a-like for a second before continuing.
"There are a couple of demon worshippers, monks, vampires, Wolfram and Hart and a very dangerous man who had his family murdered by Angelus's a hundred years ago."
Buffy frowned. "Time travel?"
"Black magic, I'm afraid." Fred spoke up.
"Damn, this kid has a lot of enemies." Buffy said softly. She knew how it felt.
"Whose kid is it?" Spike asked, looking from Cordelia to Fred.
"He is mine." Angel said softly.
Part 4
Buffy had seen a lot of things in her life. She watched people die, people live, she had kill more evil things then the Bible talked about. But this, her ex-lover telling her an unbelievable story about his sire and himself, Angel having a child. That wasn't her. It was the first thought that came to her mind. She scorned herself for her selfishness. It always came back to her, doesn't it?
Buffy felt like she was falling. A sadness, unlike any other she had ever felt before, crept up her spine and seized her heart in an icy grip. Why hadn't anyone called? What was his name? How did this happen? How was she going to get over this?
Buffy was surprised when she found herself blinking back tears. She didn't want to believe that Angel had had sex with Darla and was now a father. Denial was a funny thing. The blonde realized everyone was staring at her, Angel must have finished his story.
Why was everyone looking at her like she was about to break? Buffy felt strong anger radiating inside and her head started to ache. She did her best to bite her lip and stop the scream that was about to erupt from her throat. She clasped her hands together tightly and placed them on her lap.
"So, everyone if after this...your...mircale child?"
"I know what your thinking, could this vamp get into anymore crazy shit?" Gunn replied, hoping to break the high tension. He noticed how Cordelia was looking like she was about ready to run for cover and Lorne was watching Buffy intently. Gunn decided that he was doing his voodoo on the young blonde girl. Gunn looked at Wesely who was staring intently at his feet and Fred looked lost. His gaze lingered a little longer on the brunette then usual.
Buffy forced a smile. She could feel Angel's eye burning into her and she wanted to flinch in someway but her body wouldn't respond. She took a risk and glanced up at the dark vampire. Their eye's met and sent a shiver up Buffy's spine. The slayer noted how Angel held the child, close and tight. Like he use to hold her. Buffy blinked, surprised. Where did that come from?
"Well, what do you want the brady bunch to do about it?" Spike said, Buffy hated when he made up dumb names for her gang.
"Duh. Use your over-bleached brain. There is a whole damn list of baddies after the kid, we need help." Cordelia said bluntly. Spike glared at her and was about to retort back but Buffy answered with a 'not now Spike' tone. The slayer turned to Wesely.
Buffy pushed all of her feelings for Angel and strangely feelings for the child, inside the back of her head. Slayer first, human later. "We concentrate on the worst guys first, take them down and hopefully the others will get the clue and leave."
Fred opened her mouth to interrupt but Buffy held her hand up.
"It is a crap plan, I know. But its a start. If the vampire cult outside was just 1 group, imagine 15 of those."
"Sweetheart is right. We need something right now, news will spread around about Angel cakes and a large population of LA will be in Sunnygale." Lorne agreed, tapping his fingers on his horns.
"That's Sunnydale." Fred corrected.
"Ironic." Lorne said thoughtfully. Cordelia noticed the baby starting to fidget in Angel's grasp.
"Angel, I will tell you this once. Hand that damn baby over, he is being smothered." The brunette demanded, holding her hands out. Buffy blinked, nice communication. But what else would you expect from Queen C?
"He is fine." Angel muttered, forcing himself to loosen his grip. "He needs a change, where is the bag?"
Spike chuckled. "Scourge of Europe, changing a baby's diaper. Where is a camera when you need one?"
"I'm starting to like this guy." Gunn smirked.
"Well, don't. You won't like him for very long." Buffy said, glancing at Spike. Spike held her gaze until she looked away. The sentence had more meanings then one and Angel watched the exchange with discomfort.
"Where will you guys stay?" Buffy asked suddenly. Spike perked up. They better not be in this house.
"The mansion, most likely." Angel said after a short pause and winced as his son let out a squeal.
"The mansion is no place for a child. I have couches and cots here. Willow and Dawn won't mind a little company." Buffy suggested.
"I get the slayer's bed." Spike called. Buffy spun and gave him a nasty glare. Cordelia rolled her eyes and made a sound of disgust.
"Why do you have him around?"
"Great! A reunion. Feeling everyone's aura around here, I would say that we need it." Lorne said, clapping his hands.
"I probably have Dawn's old crib in the attic." Buffy said, glancing to the baby.
"All right. Party at the blonde's house." Gunn grinned. Angel glanced at Buffy once more then nodded slowly.
"Bloody hell." Spike said, rolling his eyes. He could feel the fling with Buffy slipping from his grasp. He saw how his Sire looked at her. He was here for 10 minutes and they are practically all over each other. He worked hard to get in this damn position and he wasn't going to let some poof with strange hair take it away.
"The drama begins." Wesely muttered. Cordelia quickly laid down on the long couch, claiming her bed for the night. Angel couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She looked so beautiful. She had grown mature over these months and he was amazed at how she was handling everything.
"I like your hair." Angel said after a short while.
Part 5
Willow frowned. Having Angel and the rest of his group over was not the smartest thing to do. Escpescially with Buffy being here and well... not quite here. Willow hated to admit that she has changed drastically ever since
she arrived. She blamed igorantly blamed it on all her emotions on being back. But she knew deep inside that that was far from the truth. God, Buffy didn't even want to come back. She was in Heaven not hell like everyone believed. They all thought that they were saving her from a firey torment and Buffy would welcome them back with open arms. Was the Scooby Gang always wrong? It seemed like it. Now Buffy was upstairs in the attic looking for Dawn's old crib and play pen.
That how she was woken up in the first place. Her first instinct with to do a quick spell so the door would close and hopefully block some of the noise. But since this was recovery, she could do it. The witch had to force herself up and go downstairs and see what was going on. She had found Dawn in her room, doing homework, which she forgot to do last night. Buffy in the attic, Cordelia and the gang sleeping and talking on the couch and Angel holding a child. Willow wished that she had just stayed asleep.
"Hey Will, could you grab this? Be careful, its kinda heavy." Buffy said, slowly lowering a large crib through that attic hole. Heavy was an understatement. Willow was almost crushed.
"Is this the crib made out of steel, that I have heard so much about?" Willow muttered, sarcasticly.
"Your not a morning person, are you?" Buffy joked. The slayers spirit seem to
life somehow ever since Angel had come, but she was now a expert in covering her feelings.
Willow lowered the crib to the ground and looked expectanly at Spike.
"What the bloody hell do you want me to do?"
"Take it down stairs." Willow ordered. Spike looked disgusted.
"So I can help Little Poof? Bugger this." The bleach blonde vampire slammed the door on the way out. What was the slayers problem? She was with him now, damnit! That damn cursed vampire just steps right in and now Spike is out of the picture? Fuck him. Spike angerily shoved his hands in his pockets, digging for a cigerette and realized he was out.
"Damnit." The vampire threw the empty pack on the ground.
"Hmm, I'm sensing so childhood problems." Lorne commented, glancing at the empty spot where Spike had just been.
"Who cares." Buffy muttered bitterly.
"Don't worry. There is more than one demon in this house." Lorne smirked and went to grab the heavy crib. He couldn't lift it.
"Just got to lift with your legs." Lorne grunted, desprately trying to carry the heavy thing down the stairs. The singing demon let go and sighed.
"Like I said, there is more than one demon in this house." Lorne glared at Willow who was watching with amusement.
"I got it." Buffy sighed, jumping gracefully from the attic. She lifted the crib with ease and Lorne's mouth dropped. He looked to Willow for advice.
"She works out." Willow supplied, hiding a smile.
Angel watched at Buffy carried the crib halfway down the stairs and then she paused.
"Upstairs or downstairs?" She asked the dark vampire.
"Upstairs." Angel said, nodding to his friends goodnight and climbed upstairs
with Buffy. It would be easier upstairs, there would be an easy escape if someone would dare enter the house.
Buffy placed the crib in her room, rubbing her hands together, and congratulated herself for finding the old object.
"It is a little dusty and out of style but it should work." Buffy said, grabbing a towel from the bathroom and wiped the dust off.
"Thank you." Angel spoke softly and it was like music to her ears.
"Anytime." Buffy smiled gently. They locked eyes and Buffy felt everything that has gone the last month slip away. It was great feeling and the urge to grab him by the collar and send a crushing kiss to his lips was almost more then she could take. Angel bit his lip and quickly looked away. He could not get distracted. If he did, it could mean his son's life.
"I'll get some blankets." The blonde said quickly before rushing out of the room. Angel swallowed hard and looked down at his child. The baby was staring up at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.
"Close one, huh?" He muttered softly. He stroked his cheek, smiling as his small hands gripped Angel's finger. Angel took the opputunity to look around her room. It was almost the same since the last time he had been there. The innocent times. But many things have changed now. Some for the better, Angel noted, while looking down at...wait. What was he going to name him. The vampire frowned, he hadn't even thought about it.
"Warm cuddly blankets." Buffy chirped, fully composed. Angel smiled as he watched her place the blankets and in the crib. Once everything seemed pefect, Angel gently placed him down in the crib. They both stared at the baby for a second. Angel could almost pretend that Buffy was his wife and they were looking down at their child. Almost.
"Something is missing." Buffy whispered and moved past Angel, grabbing a pink stuffed animal. She placed it in the crib next to the baby.
"Mr. Gordo will protect him." Buffy grinned, hoping to lighten the mood.
"A soft pig will keep Connor safe for sure." Angel said, smiling.
"Connor?" Buffy asked and Angel nodded.
"Pretty name." Buffy muttered softly, repeating her words from so long ago. Angel glanced at her, his eyes guarded.
"You'll sleep in here." Buffy guestered to her bed. For once Angel did not argue about where he should sleep, he knew he needed to be close to the baby at all times.
"Where will you sleep?"
"I doubt I will get much sleep tonight." Buffy said truthfully. Angel nodded, his lips quirking sadly.
"Alright. I'll leave you two alone." Buffy peered over the crib and made a face at Connor.
"Goodnight, Connor." Buffy turned towards the door.
"'Night, Buffy" Angel whispered as she left the room.
Part 6
Angel sleep, if you call staying awake and staring at your son a sleep, was peaceful. Maybe is being in her bedroom, smelling her scent, looking at her pictures. It was all like old times. Innocent times. He could hear Connor's heartbeat and he felt as if he could listen to it for an eternity. He made sure to lock the windows and have a weapon nearby, in case anyone wanted to make a surprise attack, but Angel didn't anyone that stupid.
A part of him longed for Buffy to be in his arms. It felt right, laying on her bed, Buffy should be with him. Even if she did come upstairs, Angel knew that he probably shun her off. It would be too much of a temptation to have her so close. To kiss her head and smell her hair. Angel shuddered and briefly wondered why he tortured himself so.
Angel jumped out of his skin when Connor let out an agitated cry. Angel rolled off the bed and gathered the child in his arms.
"Shh. Hush." Angel soothed, rocking him in his arms. The relentless cry grew louder. Angel sighed, it has been a while since he fed. Angel quickly walked downstairs, heading for the baby bag. Connor fidgeted in his arms, a loud wail escaping from his mouth. How could something so small be so damn loud? Angel grabbed a bottle of formula from the bag, soothing his child as best he could.
Angel pushed the bottle into Buffy's microwave in the kitchen and pushed the appropriate buttons. Connor's noise did not lessen and Angel was afraid the others would wake. When Connor opened his small eyes, preparing for another yell, demonic features took over the smooth planes of Angel's face. Connor looked at Angel, mesmerized and his howling ceased. Angel smiled through his fangs.
"No! Heaven, don't do it, Angel. It's only a child!" Lorne's loud voice screeched through out the house and Angel could hear the others waking up.
"I'm feeding him, idiot." Angel cursed, but couldn't stop the small twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
"Oh. Well...I thought you were feeding...yourself." Lorne looked sheepish and sat down on one of the barstools. The demon watched as the dark vampire took the bottle from the microwave and gently placed it over the baby's mouth. Connor took the formula greedily. Angel hummed a soft melody and rocked the child in his arms once more.
"Sexual frustration?" Lorne asked innocently. Angel cursed himself and stopped the humming.
"No." He answered lamely.
"Whats the racket?" Fred asked, rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Nothing, just Connor and..." Angel frowned when he was interrupted.
"Love?" Lorne asked again, smiling devilishly Angel's emotions were flowing around his aura and Lorne couldn't resist.
"Shut up." Angel gritted through his teeth.
"What love?" Gunn asked, taking a seat next to Lorne. "Man, I'm hungry as hell. Where is breakfast?"
"We are a guest in this house." Angel reminded. "Get it yourself."
"Wouldn't that be rude?" Fred asked, sheepishly. Even though her stomach was growling in protest.
"I don't mind." A young voice joined the conversation. Dawn looked in the fridge for something edible. The only guest that she had had in a while were Xander and Anya. It was exciting for new people to come in, even if they were just using their house for a hideout. It was cool with her. As long as no demons came after her. Ever. But the way her sister's life was, that was an impossible wish.
"We got eggs and toast." Dawn supplied "Thats it."
"Toast for me." Cordelia said, she was the first to awake but after seeing her bedhead she stayed in the bathroom for 15 minutes. "Where is slay gal?"
"Sleeping." Angel replied automatically. Everyone in the kitchen turned to stare at the vampire. "What? If she is not here, I just assume she is still sleeping." Angel frowned, shifting under the gazes of his friends.
"Lust?" Lorne replied again.
Part 7
"Hello, sugar." Hank Summers said, stepping into his dead ex-wife's house. He glanced around, there were blankets and pillows thrown around the living room. Dawn must have had a slumber party. Why would Buffy allow her to do that on a school night? The slayer's dad stepped to embrace her but she stepped back out of his reach. Hank dropped his arms in defeat.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked. There was an awkward pause, it was like talking to a strange. Which is exactly who he was.
"Who is it, cupcake?" A different voice sounded from the kitchen and Hank could have sworn he saw a green hand but it was pulled away before he could get a better look at it. There was hustling and whispers in the kitchen, Willow stumbled from the doorway, it looked like she was pushed.
"Hi, Mr. Summers." Willow said, she flashed an innocent smile.
"Willow. What are you doing here?" Hank smiled politely, though he was curious.
"She lives here. If you called you would have known." Buffy said coldly. She crossed her arms over her chest, looking expectantly at her father. Willow looked at the two staring each other down. There was a loud bang in the kitchen and the sound of a baby crying. Hank glared at his daughter.
"What is going on here? Who *else* is in this house?" Hank quickly walked into the kitchen with long strides. Buffy followed him with Willow in suite.
Hank was greeted by two women, three men, and a baby. He stared at them evenly.
"Who are you?"
A middle aged looking man cleared his throat. "We are staying here for a very short period of time." Buffy felt mixed emotions at the statement.
"This is Wesely, Cordy, Fred, Angel, and Gunn." Buffy introduced quickly. The blond grabbed her father's arm and pulled him into the living room.
Angel rocked Connor gently. He could sense the anger and distress in his mate and he wished he could comfort her in some way, but whenever she was near was dangerous. He felt his soul reaching out for her and he had no way to stop it.
***
"What are doing here?" Buffy demanded again. Her father came from LA out of nowhere, the same time that Angel came. Were all the men who left her coming back? She half expected Riley to knock on her door.
"I can't visit my daughters?" Hank asked as he sat down on the couch. He knew Buffy's temper and he wanted to make sure everything was calm.
"I don't know. You never tried." Buffy said softly. There was another long pause and Buffy thought she was going to go crazy from the silence.
"Why are those people in the kitchen?" Hank asked, suddenly. He didn't like these strangers who were sharing a house with his daughters.
"They need to stay here for a while. I trust them, they are my friends." Hopefully more than friends, a small voice whispered in the back of Buffy's head.
"I don't want them here, especially with a teenager around. Who knows what they do when your not-"
"Enough! Dawn is going to be fine, I know these people, dad. For once, can you just trust me?" Buffy sighed, she felt old scars being torn open. The summers she used to spend with her dad were over and he canceled every ice-skating show on her birthday. Now he comes to *her* house and starts ordering people around? Hell no.
"I'm sorry, sweetie." Hank apologized, seeing the distress in his daughter's face. Buffy nodded after a spell.
"I think...that it is best if Dawn came and stayed with me." Hank said. It was like a punch in the gut.
"What?" Her brain couldn't accept the fact and she felt numb. Then the feeling of betrayal and anger raised.
"Your stressed out, you quit school and you don't even have a job. Buffy do you want to burden Dawn with these stresses?"
"Dawn is just fine here! You won't even be around if she stays with you. Your working all the time and you have a new girlfriend and everything! You don't have time for you daughters! You come to mom's funeral and you don't even ask how I feel or if I need money, you just care about how your now going to be stuck in traffic!" Buffy yelled, she felt tears form in her eyes but she wouldn't allow them to fall. She squashed down her emotions, she wouldn't break down in front of her father, a stranger.
"I know I haven't been the ideal father, but you can't deny me of spending time at least some time with my daughter!" Hank yelled, standing up.
"Then how come you don't spend time with me?" Buffy's voice was small and she wrapped her arms around herself. Hank sighed and he felt his anger melt away.
"Buffy..." He took a step forward but she took a step back.
"I just remembered that I have to go...do something." Buffy fled up the stairs with inhuman speed and there was nothing Hank could do to stop her.
***
Holtz smiled as he watched the scenery fly by. This new world was so interesting, there was so many new inventions. Of course the people of this world today were incredibly stupid. They didn't know what went bump in the night and they were all to blind to see it. He looked at his driver and shifted in the passenger seat. His demon driver knew how to handle 'cars' and he did not. It was too confusing and his minions were sure that he would get into accident. Using the plastic box in his lair in LA, they had learned that Cordelia Chase, the women he saw in Angelus's get away car, came from Sunnydale. The only place were Angelus could have gone.
He sighed, it was taking him far to long to get rid of Angelus. Darla had killed herself for her child and Angelus would follow her soon enough. He wanted everything to be over and done with but he knew that everything had to be in the right timing. He wanted to see Angelus's face when he slammed a stake in his heart. Holtz would remember that expression for ever.
"Its up here." The demon in the driver's seat said gruffly, taking his hand off some sort of wheel and pointed to something.
A large green sign that Holtz had read with glee.
'Welcome to Sunnydale.'
Part 8
Spike sighed, taking a long drag from is cigarette. Bloody hell, that God damn bugger was probably shagging Buffy and he was out here, waiting for a kill. Was this some messed up shit or what? Why did he have to come now? Right when he had the slayer under his thumb. He could take her anyway he wanted and she wouldn't do anything to him. She didn't belong fucking blonde bimbos in the sunlight, sharing kisses on a picnic. She should be here, in the dark, with him. He would show that bitch how to party.
The blonde vampire massaged his temples. All this rage and jealousy was really getting to him. Where was all the vampires at? This wasn't Halloween or delivery night, everyone should be out feeding like good vampires. Bloody poofs. Spike bit his lips until it bled.
"Damnit!" He growled. Angel just waltzed in here, thinking he was all high and mighty, and he was accepted by everyone. It took Spike almost a year to be the slayer's lapdog and now he was nothing. Is this how she repaid him for understanding the dark thoughts in her head? Could she honestly tell Angel that she had been having sex with him?
No, he was done. None of this lapdog shit. No more playing sex toy for the slayer. She would have to grovel on hands and knees for him to even think about taking her back. Just wait until her precious Angel leaves. Then we will see who she is crawling back to. Dumb bitch.
Spike was startled from his morbid thoughts when a handful of voices sounded in the empty graveyard. Spike turned to glance behind the mausoleum to see a group of tough looking demons, circling a human. Spike went to step forward, this looked like a good fight, but stopped short when he heard the demon's question.
"Is this a good place, master?"
Spike stifled a laugh, they were taking orders from a puny human? The bleach blonde paused. The man didn't feel totally human. Well, he was human, but there was something off about him. His old looking clothes and his odd familiarity.
"I do not wish to spend my time in a leeches home." The human snapped, his accent thick.
"Sir. I dis-" Another demon stepped forth and the human whirled around at him, staring him down.
"Shut up, you filth. I should kill you were you stand." The man in the odd clothes spat, grabbing his crossbow and pushing the demon against the wall, pressing the arrow to his heart.
"Once I kill Angelus, I will." The man let him go. "I never break my promises."
What? This bloke is going to kill Angel. Really. Spike's thoughts whirled. Did the man even stand a chance? He had big demons and a crossbow. Nothing that Angel and the slayer couldn't go against. This guy was crazy.
"Hello mate." Spike grinned, strolling in. The man whirled with his crossbow, pointing at Spike's heart, and the demons snarled at the vampire.
"Who are you?" Holtz asked. Ignoring his question, Spike shoved his hands in his pocket.
"Hear you were trying to kill Angelus."
"I don't try." Holtz's finger twitched on the trigger. He wanted to kill his vampire where he stood.
"Don't get feisty, mate. You just look like you could need a hand." Spike grinned.
Holtz stared at him for a second, then slowly let the crossbow down.
"What do you know?"
Part 9
"Why won't you sleep? I know you are tired. You can't fool a two hundred year old vampire." Angel whispered playfully to Connor who didn't seem to be taking his nap very well. The LA gang was settled on the various couches in the living room and Willow was in the kitchen ordering take out. Buffy was out on patrol and Angel longed to be near her.
"Maybe he is tired of the two hundred year old vampire." Cordelia snapped. She was angry and so was the rest of the Angel Investagations gang. She sighed. They finally had some new blood around here and now Angel won't let anyone hold him, touch him, or even look at him weird. It was driving Cordy over the edge. She wanted to hold the cute baby, damnit!
Angel looked up at her then down at Connor. Another image of a demon attacking Cordelia and baby flashed through his head and he simply looked back down at the baby. This is for their own good, he told himself, they won't get hurt this way.
"Yo, Angel man, she is right. We are inside a house with several able bodied men." Gunn paused and looked at Fred who was about to say something. " And women. The least you could do is let her hold the baby."
Angel felt uncomfortable at everyone's intense stare and he walked out of the room.
"I think he is scared." Fred sighed. She wanted Angel to be comfortable but by the looks of it that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. The only person Angel did seemed relaxed with was this Buffy character. She was pretty and from what she heard from Wesely, she was strong. Fred had watched from the window as she took out the vampire cult along with some other vampire.
"I think he is a big coward." Cordy snapped.
"Cordelia, don't be too harsh. This is probably traumatizing for him." Wesely said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. Cordy didn't seem to give in.
"Then he should tell us what he feels and ask for help. I'm getting tired of this tortured overprotective act."
"I think it is sweet." Fred supplied and shut up her mouth because of the death glare Cordelia shot at her. Fred missed the sweet smile from Gunn.
"All right! Chinese will be here in a half an hour." Willow said proudly, emerging from the kitchen and settled next to Fred. Willow had taken a liking to Fred. She reminded her of herself when she was back in high school. Shy.
"Did I hear Chinese?" Lorne walked back into the living room, he was in the bathroom a couple of minutes ago.
"The food." Willow clarified. The green demon made her a bit uncomfortable. She thought it was silly, she *had* dated a werewolf.
"Xander is coming over and he is bringing Anya." Willow said mostly to Cordelia.
"Today is just not my lucky day. Ew, he is still with that demon chick?" Cordy snapped.
"Hey!" Lorne objected.
"Yeah. They have been together for a long time and they are getting married."
Cordy coughed a couple times. "Xander? Is getting married?" Cordy laughed. "God, Willow I never knew you were funny."
Willow looked a bit hurt be she recovered quickly. "I'm not joking." The smile fell from Cordy's face.
"Oh. Sorry."
"I say congratulations." Wesely said.
"Who?" Gunn asked confused by the long history between the former Sunnydale residents.
****
Angel gently lowered Connor in the crib and sat back down on the bad. He sighed. He didn't want Cordy or anyone mad at him but he couldn't get this constant fear out of his head. The vampire was known for his horrible luck and every time something good happened, something bad will follow. History repeats itself. He would see the sunrise the day Connor was killed. Angel shook the dark thought from his head.
"Knock on wood." He muttered to himself.
"Knock, knock." Buffy quipped from her spot in the doorway. Angel glanced at her but didn't seemed startled.
"When did you get home?"
"Couple of minutes ago." Buffy said throwing her slaying bag in the corner and tossing off her jacket.
"How is the cutie?" Buffy cooed and looked down at the baby in the crib. Connor was still wide awake and grasping for Buffy's fingers. Angel stood up, he was on edge already and Buffy haven't even touched him.
"Could I hold him?" Buffy asked. Cordy had given her the cliff notes version of what happened in LA. Lorne had said downstairs that Angel was very protective and she could sense hostility downstairs.
"Um...I don't..." Angel trailed off when Buffy wrapped her arms around the baby and lifted him up from the crib. Angel put his hands out, dread seeping into his stomach. Buffy ignored him and walked around the room, gently bouncing her arms up and down.
"Be careful." Angel said quickly as Buffy turned, pretending to look around her room.
"I never realized but I have a small room." Buffy muttered and turned away from Angel once more. She could sense how tense he was but she needed him to get over his phobia. "Guess I'll have to go downstairs."
"Stairs?" Angel whimpered and stood in front of Buffy, his hands beckoning from his son.
"Looks like Angel is trying to stop us." Buffy whispered to Connor who was stuffing her hair into his mouth. Buffy simply walked past him and started for the stairs, she knew that Angel wouldn't touch her with the baby.
"Buffy please." Angel pleaded but she was already walking down the stairs.
"Lets go say Hi to everyone, cutie." Buffy smiled as she saw Angel trailing closely behind her. His arms seemed to twitch every time she took a step, as if he was afraid she would trip and drop him.
"Mission walking to the living room accomplished." Buffy smirked. Angel sighed, knowing that she had won. He trusted Buffy but he couldn't help but be worried. This baby was a miracle. His one and only miracle.
"About time you knocked some sense in him!" Cordy snapped and held her hands out towards Buffy. Angel freaked, he had seen Cordy drop more coffees then he could count. He couldn't trust her not to drop his son. His jaw dropped when Angel saw Buffy hand the baby over to Cordelia.
"Woah! All right, he had his fun for the day. Oh look, he is yawning, he is tired. Lets move back upstairs!" Angel fidgeted when he saw Cordelia rock Connor in her arms.
"Let me hold him." Gunn grinned when Cordelia handed Connor over to Gunn. Angel slowly stared to calm when he saw the way his son was held with carefulness and tender. He looked down at Buffy when he felt her hand on his arm.
"See. Its fine. I'll protect him with my life, Angel." Buffy whispered gently and they both knew it was true. Once Connor was held by everyone, Cordy took him back upstairs, only after Angel made her take off her high heel shoes. Who knows what kind of accidents could happenon those twenty stories shoes.
"That wasn't that hard, was it?" Gunn smirked and nudged Angel with his elbow.
"No. Actually it wasn't. I'm sorry guys. I was just afraid something might happen and you wouldn't be able to defend him and yourselves." Angel admitted and Buffy smiled at him. Angel looked back and thought about how Buffy had held his son. It seemed to right, it felt so right. He never wanted his shanshu so bad until now.
Part 10
Lorne glanced at the crowd before him. He couldn't really remember how he got brought into this. First he nightclub blew up not once, but twice and now he was in the slayer's house with Angel's baby. This would make for some excellent lyrics. Lorne glanced over at the teenager sitting next to him. She was pretty with long brown hair, the slayer's sister, she was obviously excited and distressed. Lorne could read the aura coming off her like a children's book.
"You don't get a lot of excitement stuck in this ole' house, do you?" Lorne said to Dawn. Dawn looked a little surprised but what else do you except a green-skined and orange-haired demon to do. Read what your feeling, of course. Dawn saw no point in lying.
"Pretty much. I'm stuck in this house or I'm going to school. Those are my choices and I would take prison any day." Dawn muttered. She was angry at Buffy for not being home a lot. She was angry because she didn't have a Mom and now Buffy was so occupied with Angel and his gang that she barely noticed her own sister. Dawn knew about Buffy being in heaven but didn't she want to come home to her sister? Didn't she want to live and be free again? Obviously not.
"Don't sweat it, kid. Everything will cool down and sis will be back to normal. I promise you. Angel, over there, is like the world's number one problem solver. If he can't do it, then it is time to call the Ghost Busters." Lorne said, waving his hand for emphasis.
"Ghost Busters really exist?" Dawn asked, excited. Buffy barely told her anything cool like this. She wanted to shield Dawn away from all that bad and evil but you couldn't do that to someone who has a slayer as a sister and lives on a Hellmouth.
"Sure they do, but they are very secretive. If the public knew about them then everyone would be asking to hear that jingle of theirs." Lorne grinned. Dawn looked forward
"Awesome." She whispered. She would have to rent that movie again and get that number.
"What are you corrupting this kid with now?" Gunn asked, sitting down next to the two on the couch.
"We were just talking about Ghost Busters." Dawn said.
"Ghost Busters?" Gunn laughed. "Come on now, we got some 19th century crazy man after us and your talking about Ghost Busters?"
"Lorne just told me they really exist." Dawn said defending herself.
"No, they don't." Gunn clarified. Dawn looked a bit confused then she looked behind Gunn to see Lorne waving to keep quiet.
"Of course they don't." Dawn said and Lorne held a thumbs up sign to her.
****
"What do you want to say?" Angel asked glancing at Buffy who seemed to be staring at him. Buffy blushed and turned away. They were all alone in the kitchen, not talking, just being peaceful. It was the least they could do, all their visits seemed to end in pain one way or another.
"Nothing." Buffy covered but when Angel kept looking at her she sighed. "It's just weird seeing you with a child. Your child. You are a great dad."
"Thank you." Angel whispered, it meant more things than one and Buffy knew
it.
"You must be so happy. This what you always wanted, a family. It's like a dream come true." Buffy said sadly. She would never have any of these things. Angel was so lucky and he didn't even know it.
"Every dream comes to an end. I'm afraid." Angel admitted. "What if I become too happy? What if I see my child grow older and older and I get so happy and proud that I just..." Angel trailed off. "I am afraid that the only thing that will hurt my child, in the end, is me."
"Would never happen." Buffy said quickly. She stared firmly at Angel.
"If anything ever *does* happen then I will protect Connor. Even if it means..." Buffy trailed off.
"Promise me?" Angel asked softly. Buffy took a deep breath.
"I promise." She whispered. She knew she was weak when Angel turned into Angelus but Buffy knew that if Angelus killed Connor, then Angel would never forgive himself. He would rather die then to live with that burden. That's what Buffy promised to do, kill her lover to save his child. That will never happen, Buffy thought quickly. But what if Angel finds true happiness with someone he meets in LA? What will happen then? Then he would be moving on. Just like she did with Spike.
Buffy chuckled to herself. Spike was anything but moving on. He was making her move back. Pulling her down into the dark pit of Hell. Keeping her in the shadows. How was Angel so strong? He survived everyday, he fought and he laughed and he lived. Or unlived. She just fought and existed. Then had mindless sex with an evil vampire. Yep, her life was just peachy. Having Angel here made her see that there was hope. Angel had Connor and she would find her anchor soon. This thing with Spike had to end. She couldn't give in anymore. She was the slayer Damnit! Spike could hit her but she could hit him back harder. Everything that she did more than what he could do.
"So. This Holtz guy, tell me about him." Buffy said, leaning over the counter.
****
"You are one strange son of a bitch." Spike spat and looked at his chains.
"I do not trust vampires, especially the kin of Angelus." Holtz paused. "My mother was very sweet, thank you very much."
Spike was in someone's house, the person was lying dead on the floor a couple feet next to him and his stomach growled. Great time to be hungry. They had ditched the cemetery after Spike said that this was the slayer's hunting grounds. He was chained to the ceiling and Holtz and his ugly demon friends were looking at him expectantly.
"So. Angelus is housing with whom?" Holtz asked.
"The slayer. You should watch of for that one. She is strong, makes you think she wants something then she really wants something totally poofy and with a soul." Spike spat, letting his personal feelings get in the way for a second. Holtz raised an eyebrow.
"The slayer hunts vampires. She does not harbor them." This was disgusting. The one person chosen to slain vampires is helping one the of the most sadistic bastard vampire that ever lived.
"Well, Buffy never was one for the rules. Her and Angelus go *way* back." Spike grinned, wriggling his eyebrows.
"Who else? What about this child of his?" Holtz demanded. Spike shook his head.
"I'm not telling you anything else if you don't let me out of these chains." Spike retorted.
"No." Holtz said simply. He grabbed a stake on the table. "You are going to tell me what I need to know or I will stake you. The only way you are leaving these chains is if you turn to dust." Holtz was not stupid, he didn't trust the vampire. It could be one of Angelus's tricks, though the vampire looked angry as hell and he did not see this bleach blonde character in LA.
Spike thought about it for a split second before grabbing the chains that held him and brought himself up, kicking out at the demon closest to him. Holtz was too far away for a solid kick. The demon flew hard into the wall and stayed down. Holtz looked on, bored. He really needed some good minions. Spike wrapped his legs against the next demon's head then twist violently, snapping the demon's neck. The other demons moved forward but Holtz held up a hand.
Spike lowered himself back on his feet. "Damn that felt good. I just needed to kick some ass for a second because your really dancing on my patience, mate. So, I will make a deal with you. I will tell you everything I know and you will let me in on the kill."
"No. I kill Angelus." Holtz snapped.
"I didn't mean Angelus. I meant the slayer. I talk and I kill that bitch." Spike spat. Holtz looked at him evenly for a long moment and then sat down in a chair.
"Continue." Holtz said with a wave of his hand and Spike smirked.
TBC...
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