(Authors Note: I do not own any of these characters, I just use them for my Fan Fic. Although I'm sure you all know that anyway. :) Also, this is my first Fan Fic, so please post your opinions. Thanks!)
Angel sits at his desk and wonders about his future. *I now have a baby to raise on my own, but what kind of role model could I possibly be to this child? A vampire who was remembered for all the lives he took so viciously. Yeah, that ought to make him proud*
Sighing wearily, he stands up to head out into the lobby and tell everyone he's going to bed. Upon heading out there, he notices everyone's eyes turning to look at him and silence enveloping over the room. Ignoring it, Angel heads to the stairs. "I'm going to go rest. See you guys tonight as usual."
Gunn watches Angel leave the room, then turns to Wesley, Cordy, and Fred. "So, anybody got any ideas about what might be troubling Angel? I don't know about ya'll, but I'm hoping it's not about Darla's death."
Wesley looks at Gunn seriously. "No, I very much doubt he would be this upset over her death. She's free now and that should make him happier to know. Maybe the baby is being a bit stressful for him. Obviously it is rough on any man to become a father for the first time, let alone a vampire who never thought he would be allowed to have a child."
Fred looks over at the sleeping baby. "He's not fussy at all. I'm sure he wouldn't be the problem, it has to be something else that's bothering Angel. Maybe because that Holtz guy is back? That could be what's troubling him."
Cordy listens to everyone's opinions, then gets up to go through the papers on her desk. "Whatever is bothering him, he doesn't seem to be anywhere close to telling us. Maybe we should all stop guessing and just let him deal with whatever this is in his own way. If not, then I'll nosey the info out of him." Cordy looks down at all the paper work and puts a false smile on her face. "Now, let's get back to work, shall we?"
Everyone goes back to their schedules, while Wesley keeps darting glances at the staircase, wondering what could possibly be troubling Angel right now.
Angel lies in his bed fast asleep, then hears a noise out in the hall. Getting up to investigate, he takes a stake with him. Slowly creeping out into the hall, he finds nothing, then walks down the steps towards the lobby. Frowning, Angel finds the gang gone. "Where is everyone? Guys?" Looking around for a note, he finds none. "They wouldn't have gone anywhere without telling me, would they ?"
Remembering that Fred was watching his child, Angel looks around for the bassinet, but finds none. *Alright, this is now getting a bit on the creepy side. I know Fred would not take my baby with her while they went to fight demons*
Deciding to check and see if his car or Gunn's truck is still there, Angel walks out the door, then stops in shock. Outside, he doesn't find the vehicles. He doesn't even see L.A., what he does see is a completely different universe. Walking outside cautiously, Angel looks at everything around him. Not that there is much to see however. Everything is dark with a reddish glow and all the buildings look as if they have been burnt down. The only building still standing is Angel Investigations. Angel turns to look at his building, but sees nothing of the building he had just stepped out of no more than two seconds ago. It too is only a pile of burnt wood.
Angel looks forward again in confusion. "Where am I?" Noticing a movement, he sees a man in a robe, only this man is not even a man. The man was staring at Angel, then turns and walks through a door that is suddenly behind him. Angel feels drawn towards the door, so he follows the man hoping to find some answers.
After Angel walks through it, he sees his birth place in Ireland. Not wanting to go down this road, he turns to go back through the door, but the door is no longer there, just the man he followed. The man looks at Angel and smiles. "Hello, Angel. I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Angel examines the man, wondering whether or not he should trust him. The man in question has horns, that are kind of visible under his hood and he has a dark brown face. Obviously a demon, but hopefully a good one. "Well, first you can tell me how you know my name, then you can tell me why exactly you've been waiting for me."
The demon only smiles at Angel, then turns down the road and begins to walk, expecting Angel to follow. Sighing, Angel follows. "Isn't this a little dangerous? If these people see you, they'll kill you."
The demon only smiles once again. "Not if they can't see me, my boy. We have taken a little trip back in time. None of these people could see us even if you wanted them too. However, later you will meet a few from your past so that you can settle some old disputes."
Angel frowns, not understanding what the demon is talking about. "I have nothing to settle here. This place and everything in it has been put behind me."
The demon just smiles. "Don't you though?" Turning around, the demon stops walking and looks at Angel closely. "Do you know where we are?"
Angel stops and looks up at the old house and all the memories it contained. Seeing one of the windows, he looks inside carefully. Looking in the kitchen, he sees his mother washing the dirty dishes. Feeling a rage inside of him beginning to build, he tries to fight it as his gaze falls upon his father, who is sitting at the table eating.
Hearing some voices behind him, Angel turns to watch as his sister and him play in the yard. Looking at them in shock, he whispers. "How can this be?"
The demon walks up beside of Angel. "This is what you have been waiting for. To finally come to terms with your past. Well, now is a better time than any."
Angel looks at the demon. "I'm going to learn by watching my memories? I could take this trip in the safety of my own home and in my mind at that. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd like to go home home now, so just point the way and I'll be out of your hair."
The demon laughs. "Surely you're not so foolish as to think this would be that easy. No, my boy, I'm afraid this will be much more complicated than that. This, by far, is not even a part of it." The demon looks over at the two teenage siblings playing happily. "If I am correct, this was the night before you were turned into a vampire. That is the night you are going to face and come to terms with. You need to do that if you wish to move on."
Angel glares at the demon. "I have no intention of reliving that night. I'm happy where my life is and I think I am moving along quite nicely." Sighing in frustration, Angel turns to walk away. "In case you don't know, I have a job to get back to. I have no time to be playing these silly games with you. Now if you don't mind, I'm leaving, with or without your help!"
The demon smiles as Angel walks off. *He won't get very far. Unless he comes to terms with this, he will never be able to move on with his future. And whether he admits it or not, he knows that as well as I do*
Angel walks down the street, looking for a mysterious door to appear. *This cannot be happening to me. I can't even stand the memories of the monster I once was. How can he ask me to watch as I kill my sister once again? I can't do that and I won't. That is all behind me* I sigh. *Or so I keep telling myself*
~*~*~
Meanwhile, in L.A. the gang is ready to go on the lookout for demons. Cordy knocks on Angel's door, but he doesn't answer. Quietly opening his door, she looks inside to find a sleeping Angel. "Well, I guess he deserves a night off." Shutting the door, Cordy heads down stairs. "Let's go without him. I don't think anyone is crazy enough to go up there and wake him from his slumber."
Wesley grabs Gunn before he can go upstairs to do just that, then they laugh and walk outside to the car. Cordy smiles at Fred and grabs her coat. "We'll be back later. If Angel comes down, just tell him that we went out to Carlita's."
Fred smiles at Cordy. "Sure, I'll tell him." Watching everyone leave, she turns to look back down at Angel's son. "Well, just you and me now." *And a very stressed out Angel. I wonder why he is sleeping for so long? He had a longer sleep than usual* She looks up at the ceiling, wondering what could be bothering Angel......
(Authors Note: Alright, there it is. I'll do the next chapter if you all like this one. Otherwise, I won't bore you all anymore with this! j/k :P So please post your opinions and I'll see about that second chapter. Thanks again!) ~*Leslie*~