"And this is called the lobby!" Cody was leading him by the hand through the building he had saved the boy in front of only a day before. That morning, the boys' mother, Carrey, had insisted that Connor come and stay with them after she found out that he was a runaway. She had said she understood his "situation." Connor seriously doubted she understood anything, but he had accepted her offer all the same. He wouldn't screw up this time. The same thing wouldn't happen to these people that had happened to Sunny.

"Sweetheart, give him a moment. It's still early. I'm sorry, Connor, but Cody's really seem to have taken a liking to you." Carrey smiled and tousled Cody's hair. The other boy, Zack, wasn't with them. Carrey had said that he was at school today. Connor had a vague idea what that was from Holtz. They stepped through sliding doors and into a smallish room.

"It's, um, fine." Connor mumbled. He didn't know how to really show the gratitude or appreciation he had. Even if he left these people tomorrow, which was a possibility in his mind anyway, there was no way he could repay them for the immeasurable kindness they had given him. It was the kindest thing that had happened to him since Sunny had taken him in. That felt like a life time ago. Connor looked over at Carrey and opened his mouth but she just shook her head.

"There's no need to say thank you. You saved Cody's life. I don't know what I would've done had you not been there." Connor nodded. Cody was watching him intently. The boy was still probably wondering about him – how he had moved so fast or not been crushed by that car. In truth, Connor didn't know how he could explain it even if he had been willing to tell the truth, something Holtz had said would be dangerous to ever reveal on this side. All Connor knew was that he was the son of Angelus and Darla, vampires, creatures who by all rights should never have been able to have a son. But they had, and Connor was living proof.

The room dinged and the doors slid open. They had been elevated to a different floor. Connor was under the impression they were very high up. "Come on, the suite is this way!" Cody grabbed his hand again and took off down the hallway. Carrey screamed after them to walk, but Cody seemed to have not heard. They bolted headfirst into a short, dark skinned man in a dark grey suit.



"Ah, back already, I see." The man had kind of a drawl to his voice. "So there wasn't any damage done?"

"No, the doctor said we're fine. Mr. Moseby, it was so cool. We got to sleep in hospital beds, and we wore dressing gowns, and they came and fed us in bed, and this is Connor, he saved me, and-"

"Yes, well, it's a pleasure." The man, Mr. Moseby, nodded towards Connor. "I was just dropping off some of the get-well gifts that were left in the lobby for you." Carrey walked up behind them.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Moseby. Was he causing a problem again? He's just gotten out of the hospital and.." Mr. Moseby cut her off again. Connor assumed this man was of some importance.

"Not at all, Carrey, I perfectly understand, though in the future," he looked down at Cody significantly who looked down at the floor, "we don't run in the hotel."

After a few more short words about an act, he left and Carrey opened the door to their room. It was amazing.

"So, Connor, Cody's lying down again. I guess he didn't rest too well in that hospital bed. Are you sure you wouldn't like to sleep too?" Connor shook his head. He didn't need to sleep every day. That sort of habit could get you killed. "Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

They had finally hit that subject. Connor looked at Carrey who was sitting across from him at their small kitchen table. He tried to think of what he could say. The truth was out of the question. How could he explain that he had been raised in a Hell dimension for the past 17 years by an 18th century vampire hunter who was trying to take out some twisted revenge on his 200 plus year old vampire father? Holtz said revealing this was dangerous, and from what he had gathered, nobody would believe him anyway. He decided to be non-specific.

"My father," he started. He shook his head and started over. "I didn't know my father growing up. My mother died giving birth to me." Which was true, in a fashion. In all actuality, she had staked herself in order for Connor to be born. Her vampire physiology wouldn't allow for childbirth. "I was raised by an acquaintance of my mother's. He died shortly after I arrived in Los Angeles. I was there looking for my father." Would that suffice?

"And you found him, I take it?" Connor nodded. "And it didn't go well, did it? He didn't want a son back in his life." Connor shook his head. That wasn't quite right.

"He did, I think. I don't know, my father wasn't a good person. He was a demon, but he was trying to be better. I just couldn't look at him anymore without seeing that demon. I think he wanted me back, but I couldn't be around him anymore." Carrey sat there looking at him with sadness and pity in her eyes. He knew that she felt sorry for him, for the lie. But he had to lie, didn't he? He couldn't tell her the truth.

"You're not on drugs, are you?" He winced slightly and shook his head. Carrey opened her mouth as if to speak but then closed it again. Did she think his initial reaction was because he was lying? It had only made him think of Sunny. "You haven't told me everything, have you? There's still a lot you're holding back." She smiled as he looked up surprised. "See, I told you I understand the situation. I was seventeen once too. So, tell me, what you're hiding, is it something I'm going to need to know?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm not on drugs, and I'm not in trouble. At least not that kind of trouble. You've been more than kind enough to me, and if you don't want me to stay here, I'll understand, but I can't talk about some of the things in my life right now. I really would like to, but…" he let it trail off. What else was there to say?

Carrey stared at him for a few moments. "Go take a shower. I'm going to make a bed up for you in the boys' room." Connor got up and started towards the bathroom. "And Connor," he looked back at her, "if you ever want to talk to me about anything, I'll be around.