{I know its long but that's only because I had to include some of the dialogue form the original ATS scripts for some character weaving.}
««««« »»»»»»
I sat at my desk going over some of the cases. I was making sure we had been paid before I officially closed the file and put it away.
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"I wanna know how he does it. No last name, no bank account. How are you ordering stuff off the web?" Gunn asked.
"It's not that hard, really.” Fred began to explain. “All you have to do is hack into the shipping database, find someone who is ordering what you want, then substitute your information.” I looked up when she stopped and saw both Angel and Gunn staring at her. “Except that would just be high-tech robbery." She quickly finished looking down.
"I memorized Cordelia's credit card numbers." Angel said as he stuck his hands inside the box.
"Oh. Low-tech robbery." Fred said. Angel pulled two miniature hockey sticks out of the box and held them up. I sighed, rising to file some of the cases away.
“Some kind of boomerang vamp stake?" Gunn asked.
I could hear the funny in his voice and shook my head. No one ever got tired of teasing Angel.
"No! They're itty-bitty hockey sticks!" Angel exclaimed handing one over to Gunn. I saw him demonstrate as he pulled a small jersey out of the box and held it up.
“Connor 03.” I read stepping around the counter to see.
"How cute is this? Huh? Seriously." Angel turned to each of us grinning.
"Seriously, I think you got way too much time on your hands." Gunn replied looking a bit put off.
"Come on. You think it's adorable." Fred cooed taking Conner over to see the jersey.
"Well, yeah, but at least I'm manly enough to deny it."
“Hey! There are different kinds of manliness.” I looked at Angel. “I think Dad’s are very manly. Especially doting one’s like your self.” I looked at the others once more. “Seriously, when have you ever seen a single Dad behave like Angel does with Conner?” Fred shrugged silently agreeing with me and smiling at Angel. Gunn opened his mouth but Angel cut him off.
"Okay, okay. I admit things have been a little slow since Cordelia and the Grooselaug went on vacation." He took the puck out of the box and tossed it to Gunn.
“Uy! Otra vez.” I sighed turning away from them.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm actually jonesing for a throw-down with something mean and nasty." Gunn said ignoring my comment.
I went back to the desk a grabbed another set of files watching from the corner of my eyes as Angel sat at the counter drinking his blood. That was getting to be a habit with him. I couldn’t remember him being this obvious about the whole blood thing. He was usually so…ashamed he had to drink it.
"Cordelia hasn't called once with a vision. Do they even have phones there?" Fred asked. Gunn dropped the puck on the floor and tried out the small hockey stick. I could see Angel shift in his seat.
"Maybe they're not near a phone. Come on, it's a vacation! They're not gonna waste it all on a dark hotel room - you know, together, where the food's delivered and there is no reason to go outside. You know, hockey is a great sport." He changed subjects quickly and Gunn was willing to accommodate him.
"You realize this is the whitest sport known to man?"
"True. But the games are indoors, and they usually play at night.” Angel replied.
"Got you."
“I know it's a little bit too early to be thinking about stuff like this, but I -I can't wait to watch him, you know, grow up.” Angel took another drink of his blood and I made my way back to the desk listening to him.
“For him to lose his first tooth.” Gunn straightened up and watched Angel with a slight smile. I leaned against the door frame to Wesley’s office smiling a little myself.
“Learn how to ride a bike. Ha. I want to help him pick out a tux for his senior prom. I just can't wait to see who he's gonna be. I know it's mushy, but it's just... He makes me so happy."
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I turned to go in Wesley's office and saw him looking out. He was startled to see me there and I stepped in.
“You look…I’m not sure.” I said. I wasn’t good at reading Wesley something I kept trying to remedy. Gunn and Fred were easy since they wore their feelings for each other on their sleeves. Sometimes I caught Wesley staring at them but I couldn’t tell what was in his eyes. “You ok?” I asked.
“Yes, fine thank you.” Wes straightened up pulling sheets together and covering the book on his desk. He surreptitiously hid the legal pad under another stack of papers. He probably thought I wouldn’t notice and I raised my eyebrow.
We could hear them playing outside as we stared at each other. Finally deciding to break the silence I opened my mouth only to hear the sound of glass shattering. Both Wesley and I turned to look into the lobby.
"Yeah, you know, these - this isn't regulation size." Angel said holding up his hockey puck.
“Who’s that?” I asked Wes as we both came out of his office.
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"Excuse me. Is this Angel Investigations?" she asked. "I need your help."
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The woman, Aubrey, had lost her son. From what she described we knew he’d been turned and had she let him in she would have been dead as well. Try telling that to a mother who’d seen her son burst into flames. As usual Gunn had wanted to go charging in without finding out what we were up against and as usual Angel had been the one to rein him in.
“Boys drool, Girls rule.” I mumbled under my breath and watched as Fred skipped over to Wesley's office. Their conversation was easy for me to listen in on ever since I did that rune magic. I was stronger and faster not to mention all those little ‘extra’ abilities like enhanced hearing, sight, and fuck was I shocked when it happened the first time! I could hear thoughts! Well, it was more like a slight buzzing in my ears but still, I heard ‘em!
“The father will kill the son.”
“What?” my head snapped up from the papers I was putting in order. I tried to concentrate on the voice, Wesley’s voice, but I just heard Fred telling him he should ask the Aubrey woman out.
“I know what I heard.” I said leaving the papers on the desk as I walked towards Wesley's office. Fred left looking a bit hunched. Wes had his back to me as I entered and I cleared my throat. He straightened quickly looking as if he'd been caught doing something bad.
“Phade. I didn’t hear you-.”
“The father will kill the son.” I spoke softly just above a whisper. I could hear my voice, tinged with sadness and worry, hoping I’d heard wrong but the look on his face, sadly accepting my words, shattered it.
“How-.” He began to ask.
“Who, Wesley? And why haven’t you told any of us?”
“No one but I knows and now you as well.” He answered. “How?”
I shook my head letting out a heavy sigh. “The rune magic. I guess it’s a side effect.” I stepped around the desk a looked up at him. “You can’t keep this a secret, Wes. You have to-.”
“Try and get more information before I say anything to any one.” He took my arms in a firm grip. His look practically begged me to give him the time and I wasn’t sure what to do. I opened my mouth to argue when he interrupted me.
“Angel, especially, mustn’t know. He needn’t worry until I'm sure this…”
My suspicions confirmed, I kept my mouth shut and nodded stiffly. He kept his eyes on mine until he felt sure I would do what he asked then he slowly let my arms go.
“I have to go out for bit.” He set some papers in a drawer before turning to me once more.
I thought to myself; ‘I’ll keep an eye on them. Any thing happens I’ll be ready.’
««««« »»»»»»
I came down stairs carrying my purse when I saw Wesley talking to the Aubrey woman again. She handed him our pay and he moved towards the counter to put it away. Angel stood just out of sight in one of the alcoves which made me wonder what was going on.
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"You're good. - I like the - 'lonely' thing." Wesley said.
"Wh-what?" Aubrey replied and I was wondering the same thing. What were they doing?
"Yeah, lonely. That was a nice touch." Angel spoke from my left surprising her. The woman spun around and saw Angel standing behind her and me not much further away. I saw her reach into her purse and pull out a stake. Angel moved with vampiric speed catching her arm and making her drop the stake as he grabbed her throat.
"Moves more like a fighter than a victim, wouldn't you say?" Angel asked Wesley.
"Yes, I would." He replied from his place behind the counter.
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“What-?” I began to ask only to have Wesley shake his head ‘No’.
“On second thought you guys look in control.” I pointed to the door. “I’m just- yeah.” I left them to deal with the woman not wanting to be late for Efren. I thought about the situation at the hotel, all the ‘people’ coming and going, and wasn’t sure it was such a good place to live in.
“Damn! It’s such a nice suite!”
««««« »»»»»»
“Hey, mom? When are we going back to Angel's house?” Efren asked.
“It’s not a house, it’s a hotel and not yet.” I replied absently. I was still thinking about what I should do regarding the living situation and the little voice in my head repeating that phrase.
“The father will kill the son.” I had no idea how to help with that and to top it off there was an earth quake not ten minutes after I left the Hyperion.
I was just driving around now. We were both full, we h ad groceries to put away and I was beginning to get sleepy but I still hadn't made a decision regarding the little voice or what to do. I really didn’t want to move nor did I feel completely comfortable leaving Efren alone in the hotel or to just wander around on his own.
‘Dante.’
I groaned as I thought about him. He would use any excuse to get Efren away from me just for spite. It wasn’t as if he’d actually spend quality time with our son but still, he insisted on taking him for weekends or vacations and then he wouldn’t even show up! He never bothered calling to let us know whether or not he was going to make it and it got to the point where we made other plans even if he said he was coming.
Dante was another reason I didn’t go out or date not that I would ever admit that out loud and especially to him! I'm a little crazy but I'm not stupid.
I pulled into the underground garage and made Efren help me carry some of the grocery bags. We were going up the stairs when the hotel began to shake.
“Mom!” Efren shouted turning to me on the stairs. He let go of the railing and he pitched forward.
“NO!” I dropped the bags I was carrying and tried to catch him. He hit the first step and began to roll down when I stopped him. I fell to my knees and slid down a step holding him. He wasn’t even crying as I stood and carried him to the door way. He just clung to me as we stood under the entryway. The weapons cabinet rattled loudly and I thought it would spill out all of Angel's toys but the latch held.
Just as suddenly the shaking stopped. I looked up the stairs and sighed seeing all our groceries scattered on the stairway and on the lobby floor. I glanced at Efren patting his back lightly.
“That was big huh?” I smiled trying to lighten the moment.
Efren nodded then his eyes began to water and he scrunched his face. Before he could cry I dropped down and hugged him close. Then his little body began to shake with his sobs. It hurt to hear him and I couldn’t stop my tears either.
I don’t know how long we sat there. I felt a light touch on my shoulder and turned a tearstained face to see Wesley standing over us.
“Are you alright?” he asked. I nodded embarrassed and turned my face away. He helped us get up and I thanked him still trying to keep my face averted. When he didn’t move I turned to him. The smell of smoke wafted down to us. I hoped there wasn’t a fire at least not a big one or any where near my suite.
“Wesley?” he looked so sad, lost. He didn’t answer me, just slowly pulled us into his arms and held us tightly. I felt him sigh and I relaxed against him. If it was comfort he needed so did we and I was glad we could offer that to each other. He was carrying a heavier burden than I, more than I had thought.
Everything that had happened so far brought back Lorne's words to me.
“You should prepare for the physical pain. It’s the only one you can control, any way.”
Was all of this just a sampling of the things to come? Were all of us going to have a trial by fire?
I hoped, stupidly hoped, there would be no blood spilled.
««««« »»»»»»
I went downstairs with Efren the next morning to see Gunn walk in talking to Fred on the phone just as she stopped in front of him. They were smiling, so obviously in love. Usually, you’d think it was contagious but it just pissed me off.
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“Glad to see your using the company phones for such important calls.” Wes looked rather well after the whole earthquake episode the night before an I couldn’t help agreeing with him.
“Did you want me to pay for that?” Gunn asked holding up the cell.
“Yes.” I interrupted. “I've been seeing your numbers come up on the cell phone bills too much lately.”
They both stared at me though Gunn’s expression wasn’t as shamefaced as Fred’s.
"Chain 'em up!" I turned to Angel.
"What?!" Fred exclaimed. She had this horrified look on her face and I wondered if Angel wasn’t over reacting about the cell phone bills.
"I say we put a chain and a combination lock on the weapons. Better safe than sorry.” Angel turned to Conner. “Isn't that right, buddy?” he asked kissing his son. “He likes you. I can tell."
"I like him, too. As a matter of fact I was thinking, perhaps I'd take him to the park or the beach, just the two of us.” Wesley said giving Conner back to Angel. “Maybe there'll be some time in the next day or two."
"Sounds great. Yeah. Count on it." Angel replied. I was wondering where this sudden interest in taking a baby out by himself had come from considering the-.
‘You've gotta be kidding.’
"Ah, guys? I think there's something you should... Ah, can you come here for a sec?" Lorne asked.
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“You’ll have to fill me in later.” I said pulling Efren out the door.
“Dude! You have school!” I scolded as he tried to go back inside. Every time it was the same thing. Any where Angel went Efren wanted to follow. It was getting very annoying. At least today I didn’t have to worry about picking him up from school.
“Don’t forget. Gramps is picking you up from school so don’t make him look for you. Got it?”
Efren nodded saying: “Yes mom.”
««««« »»»»»»
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"Guys, shouldn't we call Cordelia and the Grooselaug back into action? I mean, if one of us gets hurt, say, killing Wraith-ers for example. We're gonna need some backup around here." Fred asked as I walked into the Hyperion.
“Jesus! Can’t y’all just get on without her?” I exclaimed. I stopped next to Lorne and looked to Angel.
“Nah, I don't wanna disturb her. It's the only break she's had in years. Besides, you know, it's just a couple of Wraith-ers." Angel replied to the others though he gave me a look.
“Three- actually.”
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I turned my attention to the blond girl. “Hi. Who are you?” I asked then turned to the others. “And what’s a wraither?”
««««« »»»»»»
As soon as we walked in Lorne asked how it went. I just shook my head and went to the weapons cabinet. I listened to them as I put the weapons in their proper places. When I turned back I saw Angel sipping another glass of blood. I frowned.
Through the weeks I’d been here I couldn’t remember Angel drinking this way. I began to think back, when had I seen him begin to drink so much? When had it started?
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"It's really not. Connor, shut up!" Angel yelled. I flinched, what the hell was wrong with him?
"Don't yell at him. He's just a baby!" Fred looked angry and worried. I couldn’t blame her. After the fight with the wraithers and his behavior now, I knew something was wrong.
"He keeps it up he's not gonna be a baby for long!" Angel threatened. I took a couple of steps towards him. Out of everyone there I was the only one about as strong as Angel was. Even if I was the only who knew it.
When he threw the glass at the wall I flinched. The blood splattered everywhere and glass clinked on the floor. I hurried to him hearing Gunn say: "You better get a grip right now!"
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“I agree.” I said shoving my palm into his chest. Angel flew back, bounced off the wall and landed on his hands and knees.
He looked up at me slowly and I had to keep myself from stepping back. There was something in his eyes that frightened me. There was an animal there, tightly reined in.
“Hey! What- how..?” they asked.
««««« »»»»»»
I kept my distance from Angel though I never took my eyes from him as every one started to ask questions. All their speculations were useless. We already knew he'd been acting out of the norm, especially with the wraithers. There had been no need to get all vamped for those three and he hadn't been provoked. I’d suspected then something was wrong with Angel and was going to wait for Wesley. If anyone knew what normal was for Angel it was he. He’d known him the longest.
Lorne’s comment on the spiked blood caught my attention.
“Finally!” I threw my hands up. “Some one with a brain.” I turned to Angel. “Where did you get the blood and who gave it to you?”
“Whoa, wonder woman.” Gunn stepped around Fred.
“Back off, chocolate boy.” I pointed a finger at him and could’ve laughed at the look on his face.
“Some one is seriously fucking with Conner's safety. Not to mention ours.” I looked at Angel again. “I'm sure you want to know who then why.”
The others began to argue but I kept my eyes on Angel. Slowly he nodded ‘yes’ and gave me the address. I started to leave then turned back to Angel.
“You gonna behave?” I asked. “No snacking on any one.” I waggled a finger in his direction but he just looked at me. Not even a slight smile. I sighed, took a short sword, some stakes and a very nice dagger from the weapons cabinet and headed to the door.
“Hey!” Fred followed me a couple of steps. “You can’t go alone. Don’t you need back up?” she turned to the others pointing at me. “She needs back up, right?”
Lorne was ready to agree except he saw something in my face. I’d never seen Lorne look at me that way before and I wasn’t sure it was a good thing. I hurried out the door before they could try to stop me.
««««« »»»»»»
“WHO TOLD YOU?” I yelled. The man wiggled around trying to loosen my grip and I was having the easiest time holding him down. Later, I would take the time to bask gleefully in the memory of my strength but right now, I had business to take care of.
“I’m not asking again, tubby.” I squeezed his throat just a little more. His eyes bugged out and a little squeak escaped him. That alone almost made me laugh. Such a high pitched sound coming from a huge man like him…
“Who spiked the blood you gave Angel?” the man jerked his head aside and I pulled him up so he could see my face.
“Last chance. Who gave it to you?” I held the dagger just under his double chin, if he moved I wouldn’t just kill him, I’d slice my hand as well!
I shifted the dagger slightly lower and watched as tears coursed down his flabby cheeks.
“Oops!” I gave him a wide eyed look. “Sorry, did I prick you?” I asked innocently. “It’s my first time.”
He closed his eyes and just barely nodded. I loosened my hold on him enough so he could croak out what I wanted to know.
“Guy in a suit-.” He tried to swallow and flinched when I began to tighten my hold. “Gave me-. Said- it was- Angel's.”
“Name.” I ground out. He shook his head as best he could looking even more frightened.
“Don’t know!” he began to cry. “Swear-! I don’t-!”
“NAME!” my voice bounced off the walls. Even I flinched though he didn’t see. He had his eyes scrunched tightly.
“Lawyer!” he squeaked. “Wolfram-. Hart.” He choked out.
I pulled him up dragging the daggers blade down from his neck to his navel. His eyes practically popped out of their sockets as he shivered. The smell of piss wafted up to my nostrils and I grimaced.
“A grown man.” I shook my head. “It’s not even a deep cut, you sissy.” He just kept crying. Disgusted, I threw his across the room. Chairs broke, papers flew off the desk which broke under his full weight.
“Thanks.” I wiped the blood off the dagger on a piece of paper before I put it away. I picked up the short sword and walked out carefully stepping around the three bodies lying outside. None of them would wake up then again they weren't human either so…
««««« »»»»»»
“Hey! I-.” I ran down the steps and frowned. Angel had the saddest look on his face.
“What?” I asked.
“Its Angel's first night alone.” Fred answered. She smiled at him.
“Wesley took Conner for the night.” Gunn said.
“What?” I hoped I’d heard them wrong. If Wes had taken Conner then…
“The Father will kill the Son.” I mumbled.
“This’ll be good for both of us. He can bond with his uncle Wes. I can get some rest.” Angel stood starting at the stuffed monkey.
“We’ll stay up with you.” Gunn told him. The idiot was smiling as I glanced up.
“Really? Thanks. – You know, he's just a little guy. I'm sure he’ll be…“ Angel broke off and we all turned to the sound coming from Wes’ office.
“Is there someone in Wes’ office?” Fred asked. They turned to go check just as I headed towards the doors again still carrying the sword.
“The Father will kill the Son.” I kept mumbling to myself. I hoped I was wrong as I shifted the sword from hands.
The front doors burst open and a man in a long coat strode in. The side doors banged against the wall and another man came in holding a crossbow. I looked around seeing others stride in even from upstairs.
“Who the FUCK are you?” I took the stairs up menacingly. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise and quickly ducked to the side. A bolt whizzed by where I’d been and stuck into the wood by the door.
I was surprised. I’d seen it, in my head, just as it flew by and then it had.
There was a sharp pain in my side and I fell to the lobby floor. Some one yelled then I heard voices. I looked down and saw blood soaking my blouse.
“This is my favorite blouse.” I mumbled. There was no way I’d be able to sow this up. I felt lightheaded and slowly let myself fall back until I rested against the floor.
The voices were louder but I didn’t care. The lights on the ceiling were mesmerizing. It was like a quarts crystal hanging in a window when the sun hits it. All the different colors it threw off were dancing across the ceiling. I reached my hand to them. One by one the glowing rainbows drifted down until they pooled around my finger tips. I felt a heavy jolt push me down and the rainbow rushed down my arm into my chest and I gasped. There was pain but there was also bliss. I saw things in that one moment that I can’t begin to explain. Some of those I don’t even remember.
The clang of metal invaded my hearing and I sat up quickly. I looked around to see the others fighting and quickly got to my feet. I’d lost the sword and reached for the dagger when I saw Angel go down. I ran to help him hoping I’d be fast enough to stop the man from stabbing him.
I was two steps away, already reaching for the man, when a bolt thudded into his back. I turned to see Fred reaching for another one then a man tackled her.
“You good?” I asked Angel. He nodded getting to his feet. I grabbed the lead weight on the counter and threw it at another man. It hit him in the face; blood spurted from the crevasse it made. The man twitched on the ground then lay still.
I grabbed up a set of three-pronged-fork looking knives and ran to help Fred when I saw another one come in through the side door.
“Run!” I yelled at him hoping he would. I felt like a little sport. The man flinched and actually thought about it as I ran to him. For a moment I thought he would turn and flee but then I was there. I slashed once across then up with the other hand. The cross bow clattered to the floor and he looked at me. There was fear in his eyes as he slid to the ground.
Angel had Fred and Lorne followed Gunn out of Wes’ office. I looked to the doors where the man had been then at the others.
I had to find them.
“Phade!” Angel called as I ran out of the Hyperion.
««««« »»»»»»
I drove to Wesley's apartment only to find it empty. There was nothing there that could tell me where he’d gone or what he thought to do.
I left wondering what to do next.
“Where would he go?” I asked myself.
The street was dark even with the lights from the park across the street. I’d had to park almost two blocks down in order to avoid the others. Someone would eventually come here just as I had.
“Please, Wes. Pick up, pick up.” I mumbled as I called his cell. After the fourth ring I hung it up and tried again watching the screen. I kept hearing the ringing, twice, three times, four… There was a faint echo which at first I didn’t notice. The voicemail picked up and the echo came once more before it stopped.
I jerked right almost dropping my cell. “Wes?” I whispered. I redialed and waited for the ringing. Once more I heard the faint echo somewhere in the direction of the park.
“So not possible.” I mumbled as I quickly crossed the street. I hung up just before the voice mail picked up and dialed again. I followed the echo to a tree. At its base glowed Wesley's cell phone as it continued to ring. I turned towards the lights and hid behind the tree. I heard Gunn and Fred run to the building; once they were inside I let out my breath and looked down.
“Wesley!” I ran the few steps to him and dropped down to my knees. “Christ! What the hell-!”
There was blood all over his shirt collar and on his hands. He’d obviously tried to stanch the flow. I was scared, ready to panic, never having seen so much blood.
“So much blood.” I moaned. What was I supposed to do?
“Hospital! You-!” I patted his shoulder and clumsily got to my feet. “You need a hospital! Hang on! Don’t you die!” I yelled to him as I ran towards my car.
“Don’t die. Don’t die. Don’t die. Please don’t die.” I kept repeating to myself as I drove my car to the other side of the street and into the park. I slid to a stop next to the tree and jumped out. I fumbled with the passenger door as I opened it then ran to Wesley.
“Come on, sweetie. Get up. We have to get you to a hospital. Come on.” I got him up and in the car hoping neither Gunn nor Fred had seen the crazy person drive their car into the park or see me driving out.
The sound of screeching metal made me flinch. Something had definitely gotten broken. I glanced at Wesley.
‘Something was broken, alright.’
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