"I don't understand, Angel's soul is hanging by a thread after the things he's done this month. What the hell's going on? Why doesn't he, Angelus already?" Cordy shouted at Eve.
"The Sr. Partners aren't pleased. If he doesn't become Angelus by Friday, everything they've worked for is lost. If they lose, so do you. They mentioned that if you could somehow set up the Svorra Cult to perform a sacrifice, and force Angel to kill them. It would throw him over the edge," Eve suggested with a smug smile.
"It won't work. The Svorras are human and peaceful everyone knows it." Cordelia rolled her eyes at the liaison.
"Oh, but wouldn't that depend on the sacrifice, and the reasons behind it?"
"Who? Oh, you mean Connor. That's perfect. Can we make sure he actually dies this time?"
"I don't see why not. We kept him as a trump card, once he's played he's of no use to us anymore," Eve replied calmly.
"Now, we just have to set the wheels in motion. Eve, you take care of the cult; Connor's mine," Cordy ordered, "We can have everything in place by Wednesday. Angel becomes Angelus, the Partners bridge over and we party for the weekend. Out, I have things to do. It has to be timed just right, and they said I couldn't act, ha!"
Cordelia called for her car and driver to pick her up outside the building. She went to tell Angel she had some errands, before heading to the spa. She returned furious after several long fruitless hours. Connor was nowhere to be found. Those idiots thought it was some boyish prank before going off to college. Cordelia had people searching everywhere for him. She called Eve had her move everything to Thursday, explaining that Angel had left before she could set everything in motion. Cordelia knew that she had to find Connor in time, because there wasn't any other option.
The next morning she walked into Angel's office for the morning meeting. She stopped suddenly midway through the door. Cordelia clutched at the door to keep from floating as her eyes turned white. When her eyes returned to normal, she stood gazing at Angel with tears in her eyes.
"Angel, it was horrible. It doesn't make sense. I thought Svorras were peaceful and didn't believe in harming others, something about karma."
"Cor, they are. What did you see?" Angel's answered, his voice deepened with concern.
"They're sacrificing a young boy about 18. He had brown, shaggy hair, large blue eyes and was tall, but really slender. They kept chanting. 'Sins of the father and the abomination.' That's all I saw. Angel, we have to help him. It didn't show me where it would happen, just the boy, chanting and the Svorras. I think we some time to figure it out, but he seemed so scared," Cordelia said through her tears.
Buffy's face went completely white as she glanced up at Xander.
He gathered her into his arms and whispered, "He's safe, babe."
"What's wrong with Buffy?" Fred noticed how pale the other woman had become.
"Just brings back memories of Dawn and Glory," Xander replied quickly. "I'm going to take her home. If you hear anything, let us know. We'll do anything we can for the boy," his voice rumbled as he picked Buffy up and walked out with her.
Fred sighed, "That's so romantic."
Cordelia just rolled her eyes.
Buffy ran into the house, going immediately to the sat phone.
"Connor, baby are you there?"
Xander came up behind her to sit down and wrap his arms around her.
"Mom, what's wrong? Are you okay? Have you been crying?"
"We got some news at work that made me worry about my little boy," she teased him, her eyes twinkled with joy at seeing him safe.
"Mom," he groaned. "Hey Cage." Connor gave the large man an easy smile.
"Hey Kiddo." Xander hugged Buffy and smiled at Connor.
"How are your sessions going, Con?" Buffy asked, changing the subject, now that she knew he was safe.
"Pretty good. I like the Doctors, and Gus and Whistler come to visit sometimes. It isn't too bad, but I miss you," he said the last part almost in a whisper.
"Me too, baby. We'll be together soon, promise. I have to call Gus, talk to you later. Love you."
"Love you too, Mom. Bye Cage."
She immediately called Gibbons. "Gus, something big is going down soon. This is it; I can feel it. Cordy described a vision where Connor's sacrificed. Please, until we give the ok, guard him for me," Buffy pleaded with the balance demon.
"You don't even have to ask. Kid's pretty nice to talk to and plays a mean game of chess. I'm teaching him poker, so he can take Whis' money." Gibbons flashed them a bright, white smile.
"Thanks. By the end of the week, you should be able to send in reinforcements to take out what's left, or should I say what I leave behind. This latest vision must be an all or nothing shot. We need to make sure the Svorra cult is kept safe. Timing is going to be tricky. The team needs to be in place for this to work. If they use the same drug that they used on Connor, the Svorras won't stand a chance. Your terrorist team can handle them they're just hostages in weird clothes. Gotta jet."
Xander came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and leaning his chin on her shoulder.
"Do you feel better, babe?" His deep voice rumbled in her ear.
Buffy shivered; she was still constantly surprised by what this man could do to her with just his voice.
"Yeah, now that I've talked to Connor and Gus, I feel like I can breathe again. But, you know I'd feel a whole lot better still if a gorgeous sexy man I know would take me to bed and help me forget about all this even if it's only for a little while."
Xander turned her around, throwing her over his shoulder and ran for the bedroom. Buffy laughed as he threw her on the bed.
"Your wish is my command."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, really?" Buffy propped herself up on the bed. "Strip, slowly, then stand at the edge of the bed," she said huskily.
After thoroughly showing her just how good he was at taking orders, Buffy pulled Xander's head to her breast as she massaged his head.
"I thought I was supposed to take your mind off things not the other way around," he said in the husky whisper of a satisfied man.
"Believe me, I wasn't thinking about anything, but loving you."
"I think at one point, I forgot my name. You're unbelievable."
"Oh, but honey, you're my slave for the night. You're going to need your strength for what comes next."
"Woman, you're going to be the death of me; just give me fifteen and you servant will be ready for whatever his lady has in mind."
Buffy kept her slave on his toes and in every other position, her evil little mind could think of for the rest of the night. Xander told her, in the early morning hours that he would be her servant anytime she wanted.
The next morning Cordy ran into Angel's office, and gasped, "Angel, it's going to happen tonight, in the Hyperion of all places. I couldn't tell what time, but it looked pretty dark outside."
She had finally got the call that they had found Connor. They would have him at the Hyperion by 9:00 tonight.
Angel stood up quickly, shooting his chair into the wall behind him.
"Get everybody in here now," he ordered, then started to pace his office.
How could they have found Connor? Why would they want to kill him? That isn't what they're about? It doesn't matter, no one's going to hurt my son. I'll kill them with my bare hands.
"We go in tonight. They're going to be at the Hyperion. Make sure nothing happens to the boy, he's the most important thing. They crossed the line, trying to kill an innocent. Get him out by any means necessary," Angel snarled, vamping out.
Buffy exchanged glances with Xander and Spike.
"Angelcakes, you don't mean that. They're still humans," Lorne said, trying to calm Angel.
"I said exactly what I meant," he growled, pacing the room.
"I understand, Lorne, but you didn't see what they plan to do to that poor boy. They're little more than animals." Cordy shuddered, hiding her face in Angel's chest, but not before Buffy saw the satisfied smile cross her lips.
Buffy realized she was right. Cordelia had gambled everything on tonight. She couldn't wait to see the bitch's face when she lost.
They accessed the Hyperion from its back delivery ramp and moved into position on the upstairs balcony. They didn't see anything downstairs, no light, no movement, nothing. Suddenly lights come on and several large men appeared. They shoved a slender brown haired person across the room.
Buffy went to move, but Xander stopped her. A larger group wearing robes moved into the lobby where they tied up the hostage. They started to chant in low murmuring voices. Angel motioned for everyone to quietly move closer. Spike snuck down to get into position to release the boy. Just as everyone was about to attack, he wiped the blindfold off the boy's face to reveal - Eve.
Time seemed to stop, then start again as Angel walked down the stairs.
"What's going on here?"
The crowd removed their robes to reveal SWAT-like uniforms.
"This woman was found, trying to drug and kidnap a group of people. When interrogated, she said her orders were to bring them here as part of a set up for somebody called Angel. I assume that's you?" the man in charge responded.
Angel nodded as his eyes narrowed.
"We were on another sting operation when this hostage situation took priority. We determined that someone close to you was supposed to supply the intended victim."
He finished his explanation, waiting for Angel to supply the missing pieces.
Angel whirled around, looking at Cordelia as his face morphed. He jumped up to the balcony and within an instant, his hand wrapped firmly around the bleached blonde seer's throat as he lifted her into the air.
"Angel, what are you doing? You're acting crazy," she gasped, clawing at his hands.
"So, Cor, tell me more about this vision you had and the sacrifice," he whispered in a voice that made her shiver. His eyes glowed amber as they stared at her with disgust.
"I told you exactly what I saw Angel. Maybe the Sr. Partners found a way to hijack my visions again," she tried to explain.
Her eyes widened, realizing her mistake. She wasn't supposed to know about that. Angel tried to spare her the memories of the Partners using her and the horrible things they made her do. Cordelia felt helpless when her visions couldn't help, kept leading them on false trails, and then after Connor and the rape the world crashed in around her. She barely hung onto her sanity. Angel demanded that Cordelia got a fresh start and wouldn't remember anything before returning from being a higher being before he would take over W&H. His eyes narrowed when the pieces fell into place, fury rushed through his body as he backhanded her, throwing her into a wall.
"Angel, calm down," Wesley said, trying to diffuse the situation before someone got hurt.
"Shut up, Wes. You don't know what's going on here. So, stay out of it. Cor, the Sr. Partners have done this before, huh? Now, how did you know that? You couldn't unless you worked for them. Or, were working for them all along, you bitch," he roared, storming toward her, fist.
"Fine, you asshole. Yes, I work for them does that make you happy? The Powers didn't make me a higher being, they put me in a cell to keep me away from you. They thought it would make you snap out of it and go back to that bitch over there. The Partners offered me a way out and more power than I could ever dream of. You were so easy, Angel, so pathetic, you cried to see me. Only thing I had to get rid of, was that sniveling brat of yours, and that was easy enough. I was almost home free when you became Angelus, until that geek Willow showed up. We went for Plan B - Connor. He was the perfect incentive to convince you to take over W&H, where you made compromises everyday. The winged avenger of the people sold his soul for an easy answer to his problems. But, that stubborn thing wouldn't let go, so I made sure to help it along a little at a time. That's right, Angel. The demons from the visions that you fought to protect, they weren't the innocents. You killed the innocents. Your soul is holding on by a thread and when it lets go I'll have more power than Miss Saves the World over there. Your precious Connor's on his way here no and if I give the word and he's dead." Cordelia gave him a maliciously smile, brushing her clothes off and fluffing her hair.
He growled jumping on her, but she threw him away from her as if he weighed nothing. "Angel, she's lying. Connor's safe, I promise," Buffy yelled across the balcony. Angel turned searching for Buffy, a question in his eyes. "I have him somewhere safe Angel. I promise I'll explain everything later."
"She's lying, Angel. W&H gave him a new life. Did you think we can't take it away just as easy," Cordy taunted. Angel moved toward her, just as the clock in the lobby struck midnight. A large vortex opened above Cordelia. She stared up at it her face frozen in fear.
"No, I can still make it happen. You can't do this to me. Noo!!"
The vortex pulled Cordelia inside before snapping closed, leaving only silence behind.
Eve watched with huge frightened eyes, wondering what would her fate would be now the Partners had lost their chance at the souled vampire. Her contract had run out as well, she never imagined they could lose. What does one wear in hell?
"Angel, are you okay?" Buffy asked quietly, putting a hand on his arm.
"All this time, everything was a lie and she was behind everything. I deserve to be punished this way. How could I've been so stupid? What do I do now?"
"Oh for crying out loud, Angel. I'm sick of your woe is me crap. You're 250 years old, when the hell are you going to grow up. Do you ever think of anyone but yourself? I thought your first thought would be about your son, stupid me. When you can pull your head out of your ass and want to talk I'll be at home."
Buffy marched off with Xander and Spike following her.
Gibbons waited outside the hotel. He opened the car door for them to crawl inside where they found Connor waiting for them. Buffy squealed happily, grabbed his shoulders and kissed his face.
"Baby, I'm so happy to see you."
"Hey, kid, you look good," Xander said, patting Conner on the back in welcome.
"Who's the young un?" Spike asked, shrewd cerulean eyes glanced from Connor back to Buffy. They noted the close resemblance to Dawn, and the distinct combined scents of Buffy and Angel.
"It's a long story, which I'll tell you another time."
"Babe, are you okay? I thought you were going to do some serious damage in there," Xander asked, concern clear in his eyes.
"Yeah, I just got pissed and I'm tired of that crap. He needs to get his priorities straight, and until he does I don't have anything to say to him," she said, regarding Angel.
"Angel huh?" Connor guessed.
"Yeah, I had to tell him you were okay. He was about to come undone. I was worried it might put him over the edge." Buffy admitted. "But when it was all over, he was in his brooding, poor Angel mode, so fast I was dizzy, and then pissed."
"You should've seen her tell off Capt. Forehead. It was priceless. Wish I had me a video could have watched it over and over, 'twas better than Passions."
Connor laughed at Spike's nickname for Angel and said, "Capt. Forehead, that's a good one."
Buffy gave him a stern look, forcing him to look away with a smile still on his face.
"Gus, did the others move in on the W&H building?"
"Yes, we were able to take it down since the focus was on the Hyperion. We got everything we needed and then some. Our people will be busy for months going through the paperwork and getting it straightened out."
"Will anything happen to Angel's team?" Xander asked, he liked most of the AI.
"No, they were working under the assumption they were doing good work. With your help we should be able to separate the employees that should be punished," Gibbons told them.
Buffy understood what he wasn't saying. The Powers haven't decided about the AI team's fate.
"What do you think about giving Spike a team here? He has the capabilities and can teach them anything they need to know. LA would make a good training ground to circulate people through. Maybe we could leave Trina here as his second, since she knows how the division works and can bring him up to speed."
Buffy threw out for discussion. Spike shot her a shocked look. Her eyes sparkled as she gave him a sly look.
"We could probably work with that. Like I said Slayer it's you division. Do what needs doing. You haven't disappointed me, yet. You even managed to tame XXX her," Gibbons said, laughing.
"Oh, I wouldn't say I tamed him, but he's good at following orders. Gotta keep a little wildness in my man," she teased.
Gus and Spike looked at Xander; whose face took on the look of a man remembering something the other men would pay money to know.
"Wesley, can I talk to you?" Buffy asked, as she stuck her head in his office door at W&H.
"Oh Buffy, come in. I was just cleaning out my office. We're moving back to the Hyperion."
"I heard."
She watched him start to pack several large books off his desk.
"Wesley, you don't want to take those books with you, trust me."
"Buffy, these books have invaluable information in them, which will provide us with whatever information we seek. It will allow us to better do our work." He looked down his nose at her as he spoke.
"Wes, didn't you ever wonder about those books? Especially after everything, you've learned. Tell you what let's take a little test?" Buffy asked expectantly.
"Fine, Buffy. Although, I don't see where you're going with this line of questioning."
He hoped if he played along, she'd leave him alone.
"You and I both know Polgora demons are dangerous and violent correct?"
Wesley nodded his head suddenly feeling sick to his stomach.
"Ask the book about them and see what information you get."
Wesley brought the large red book up to his face, and said into it - "Polgora demon."
He opened the book. There written on the page was information and a detailed picture. Wesley read the text, then stopped to look up at Buffy.
"But, this is preposterous, this information is untrue. The book says they're non-aggressive and will only attack when provoked. The spear in their right arm will only be released as a defense in times of great peril. This is outrageous and totally inaccurate," Wesley exclaimed his face full of concern.
"The information you've been working with came from an evil source. Did you expect to be able to use it to do good? They set this place up for Angel getting the rest of you as an added bonus, knowing he wouldn't come without you. The books fed your need for knowledge. Gunn allowed them to brainwash him to finally get what he always wanted. The very thing he envied about you and Fred - brains. He didn't want to be muscle anymore. He wanted brains in an area that no one else had any experience. W&H used Fred's love of science against her. Her curious mind and the unlimited resources available proved fertile ground for them. Her experiments and prototypes are ending up in the hands of terrorists and violent demons. Lorne's helped put the top names in entertainment souls on unbreakable contracts Nothing you've done is what you thought," she explained, sympathetically.
Wesley's shoulders slumped as his eyes became sad and distant. He felt the words from his childhood; his father telling him he would never amount to anything.
"I'm sorry, Wesley. You deserved to know the truth, and I don't know the others that well. It'd be easier for them to learn it from you. You're a family and have to depend on one another to get through this. You had your hearts in the right place, but your approach was wrong. If you believe in what you're doing then you don't do it to get paid. It makes you no better than those people who want money for protection. It isn't right, Wesley. I'll try to see if there's a way to help your team get back on its feet, but it may not be exactly the same way you did things in the past. We can talk again after you've had a chance to settle back in at the Hyperion."
Buffy walked over and hugged him. "It'll work out, if your heart's in the right place. Think about it and I'll be in touch."
"Thank you for telling me the truth. I'll think over everything that you've said and talk with the others," Wesley told her politely.
Buffy was standing at the elevator door, when Angel walked up to her.
"Buffy," he exclaimed.
"Hello Angel," she said crisply.
"Can I talk to you for a minute, please?"
She searched his face, seeing the earnest look in his eyes and sighed. "Fine, but I don't have a lot of time. Cage's waiting for me at home, and we have plans for this afternoon."
They had plans to take Connor hang-gliding this afternoon. She had no intentions of disappointing her son for Angel or anyone else.
"I understand. It'll only take a few minutes, please," Angel said as he led her back down the hall to his office. "I wanted to apologize, and ask how Connor's doing."
Angel motioned for her to take a seat on the couch beside him. Buffy sat down on the far end of the couch and faced him. His smile waved as he waited for her to answer.
"He's doing fine, Angel, and he's who you owe an apology, not me," Buffy said, working hard to keep her voice civil.
Buffy stared at the man she thought she couldn't live without. She wondered what had happened to that man. Was it him, or was it her? Had she finally outgrown him? Was he simply the same and she was only just now realizing it?
"I did what I thought was best for my son, Buffy. You won't understand until you have a child that you'll make any sacrifice for them," Angel implored.
"That's so much crap, Angel. What would've been best is for you not to have thrown him out to survive on his own. To leave him vulnerable for Cordelia to seduce and rape. She twisted his heart into pieces; he had no one but her. You weren't there for him because you were too busy sniffing after Cordy. He came to you didn't he, Angel, and told you that she had your soul, but you didn't believe him. You knew he didn't rape her because you saw them together. He felt you watching them. Did you know that? Admit it, your ego couldn't handle the fact that she chose him over you. Oh, about the child having and sacrificing for them, well you got that wrong too. I died for Dawn, and she's only my sister. But, guess what Angel, Connor's mine from the day you stole. Remember the day took away without asking me about because you thought it was best for me. You really should stop doing that. It doesn't work out well for you," she snapped at him.
She had shot up from the couch by this time and her body shook with the barely contained rage, pain and horror. This man, this vampire had robbed her of so much all in the name of what's best not only for her, but also her son.
"That's impossible, Darla was his mother. I was there," he exclaimed, standing up from the couch to stare down at her in disbelief.
"Oh, for goodness sakes, Angel. How could two vampires create a human child? The Powers put him in Darla because they needed him to live; he's important. Because of what you did, I couldn't carry him or he would've died. So, don't you dare tell me about sacrifice, my baby was stolen, delivered by an enemy and raised by you. You allowed him to go through hell once he actually came back from hell. Don't you remember what you went through, Angel? You were little more than an animal. You expected Connor to become some normal teenager and understand this world. Holtz brought him up to hate demons, especially you. Angel, were you so self-absorbed that you couldn't see the hurt scared little boy in front of you. I did, the minute I saw him. He was so lost and broken. They did what you asked and gave him new memories, but left a little toy surprise inside his head. They wanted to ensure they could use him as their pawn. W&H could walk into his mind and program him to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted at anytime. That's what you sacrificed for your son," Buffy yelled at him.
"Buffy, I want to see Connor. I need to explain why I did what I did. Help me, Buffy, I love him, and I still love you. We can be a family. We have a son and can help him heal together."
Angel smiled down at her, giving her the same smile he used when she some love struck teenager. His dark brown eyes went soft as he stared into her beautiful face. Angel imagined their live together the way he had always dreamed of, but never imagined could actually occur. It was all standing there in the tiny package of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, the one girl in the world who had helped him strive to become better than his demon.
"Angel, are you even listening to me," Buffy growled.
He shook his head as he came back to the conversation.
Connor doesn't want to see you. He isn't ready and I'm not going to push him to do anything. When he's ready, he'll come to you," she said, narrowing her eyes as she continued. "Don't you event think about stalking him, Angel, or you'll push him further away. You're his father and deserve a place in his life, but only if he wants you there.
Angel nodded his head, willing to take what he could at the moment. He knew that once he and Buffy were together Connor would come along much easier.
"As for us, that's never going to happen. I love Cage. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'd never leave him, especially for you. He treats me as an equal and a woman. You never did that, Angel. You wanted the wide-eyed teenager who worshipped her creature of the night boyfriend."
His plans fell apart at her words. Buffy couldn't seriously want her life to be with that Neanderthal. Angel realized she was serious. Buffy turned to leave, having said all that she wanted to. He had to do something to show her that he was the only man for her. She belonged to him, and always would.
"Buffy, please don't go. You know you still love me, don't punish me for past mistakes."
Angel walked over, grabbing her as he tried to kiss her. He knew he could make her remember what they meant to each other. She was angry and didn't mean what she was saying. Buffy pulled back, pushing Angel away with all her strength, causing him to fly across the room into a wall.
"You asshole, who do you think you are? Don't ever touch me again, or I'll forget that you're my son's father. Get it through your head, Angel; I don't want you, it's over. It started when you walked away and it ended when you stole my son. Good-bye, Angel," Buffy spat at him, slamming the door as she left the room, nearly knocking it off its hinges.
She walked down the hall singing 'Freedom' softly as she got onto the elevator. Lorne stopped as he came around the corner.
"Man, that little piece of sunshine has a voice like honey. No wonder she's such a sweetie. Maybe, I can open Caritas again and get her to sing for me. Poor Angelcakes, has a long road to travel before he realizes she's out of his reach forever. Hmm, wonder how Connorkins is going to feel about that? It ought to be interesting to watch Twinkie's life unfold."
"Cage, Connor, you guys home?"
"We are out here, Mom," Connor called from the deck.
Buffy walked outside to find them sitting in lounge chairs, sunning themselves, drinking iced tea.
"Well, aren't we lazy," she said with a smile at the picture they made.
"We were just waiting for you, babe. How'd it go? Anybody give you any problems?" Xander said, pulling her into his lap.
"I explained everything to Wesley. He was devastated, but I think he'll be okay. You know stiff upper lip and all that. Ran into Angel." She watched Connor stiffen in his chairs. "It's okay, Con. We talked and I explained a few things to let him know that if you wanted to see him, you'd let him know." Connor relaxed with a heavy sigh. "I promised that no one would hurt you again, and I always keep my promises. Now, are we ready to go? I just need to change my clothes. Con, why don't you go start the truck; you can drive. We'll be out in a few minutes."
She couldn't help but smile as Connor took off for the door. Xander laughed as he followed her into the bedroom.
"You always know the right thing to say to him. I can see a lot of you in him; he's a great kid. Anything I need to know you couldn't say in front of, Con?"
"Angel thought Connor and I should be a package deal, you know a two-for. I set him straight and told him I had the man I wanted, and wouldn't give you up for him or anyone else." She pulled him down for a kiss.
"Well, I'm glad, cause I would hate to have to stake Connor's father to get my woman back. I love you, Buffy; I'm not about to let you go. You know talking about two-fors, wouldn't mind giving Con a little brother or sister someday."
Xander grinned as they walked out the door. Buffy stopped to stare at him in shock.
"Even with everything we deal with?"
"Yeah, life is for living. It's the ultimate rush, especially life with you. I can see you now, waddling around, barking orders and us running around getting you pickles and ice cream," he said laughing.
"Oh you, I wouldn't waddle, Slayers do not waddle." She pouted looking at him from underneath her lashes.
He kissed her. "Think about it, babe. Think of how much fun we'll have practicing until we decide to try for the real thing."
"Well, if you put it like that, how's a girl to refuse?" She gave him a naughty smile as she climbed into the truck.
The End {Maybe - Hope you enjoyed it}