Disclaimer: All the characters were created by Joss Whedon. I only own the story.
It had been 18 years since Darla had given her life so that her son could be born. Angel could remember the look in her eyes clearly; it was the look of pain. Sure Darla hated the fact she could feel her son's heart beat, but there was definitely love in her final action.
"Connor! Are you up yet? Hurry up and get down here."
"I'm coming. What's the hurry?"
As Connor came down the stairs of the Hyperion Hotel, he could see why his dad wanted him to hurry. The whole foyer was decorated with banners, balloons and presents. His dad, Cordelia, Gunn, Fred and Wesley were stood with party hats on and presents in hands waiting for him.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Angel stepped forward and said "I know that you're 18 and probably too old to wear hats, but we just thought…"
"It's fine dad. I don't mind the hats, or balloons or the banners. I'm just glad to spend my birthday with my family."
Angel smiled. It was going to be a great day.
It had just turned midday when Lorne arrived; ready to perform Happy Birthday to Connor.
"Now the party can really start." joked Gunn, as Lorne prepared himself at the stairs. Fred scowled at him lovingly.
As he started to sing, the gang settled themselves down knowing that once Lorne starts, he may continue well into the night.
It was just past sunset when Wesley spoke, "Erm, Lorne. Not that I don't appreciate your singing, but…"
"Sorry gang, got a little carried away" laughed Lorne "Just like Pringles, once you pop, you just can't stop."
The gang laughed.
On the other side of town, a coach pulls into Los Angeles Bus Station. The station is bustling with people wanting to get home, so the pale looking woman with specks of blood on her clothes, who steps off the newly arrived coach isn't noticed. Had the people in the station been less busy they may have noticed that the driver of the bus was shivering. This would have seemed weird to many, considering it was the middle of summer. On closer inspection, they may have noticed that the other passengers had two puncture wounds on their necks.
The gang were clearing up when the phone rang. The others continued to tidy away the rubbish whilst Angel answered the phone. His grave expression suggested to the others that today might not have been as great as they had previously thought.
"We've got a problem. A coach with about 15 passengers has just arrived in L.A."
"Where's the problem?" asks Fred
"Apart from the driver, they were all dead. Two puncture wounds to the neck."
They all knew what the meant. A new vampire was on their patch.
"Connor and I will go to the station, see if we can track the killer. You guys stay here and try to research into any other multiple deaths. This may not be the first time."
As Angel and Connor left the hotel, the others went to work researching.
At the station, Connor and Angel were met by a mass of homicide police and various media representatives.
"We're not going to get to the bodies through this lot." Connor said.
Angel nodded walking to an ally, Connor followed.
"Looks like it'll have to be the old fashioned way." He said, looking up to the roof, and then to his son. Connor nodded, he knew what his dad meant by the old fashioned way. They jumped.
On the roof, they wandered around trying to pick up any scent. As they turned round a corner, they were met by the female vampire.
Angel stopped in his tracks. He recognised this vampire, but he want sure where from. By now Connor had also stopped, dropped into a stance, ready to fight.
She spoke, "Buffy says hi!"
As she punched him, Angel remembered who she was, where he had seen her.
"Dawn." Then it went black…..