Chapitre 10 :

° Disclaimer still in the prologue.

° New chapter two days EARLY!!! (I just finished it and didn't want to make you wait till Sunday^^) So good reading!

° Thanks to all my reviewers.

He pried to every god that would listen to him that Ethan would have the strength to hold on till Friday…

Xander couldn't kept his silence anymore and excitedly asked his mentor; "So how did you escape? Did Ethan survive?"

"Well you will have to wait for a few minutes Xander, because I really need a drink now." Ripper said, smiling mischievously.

"Oh no…" Xander whined. "And I so wanted to know what was going to happen…"

Laughing Ripper asked; "So do you want anything, I'm going to make some tea?"

"Yes, tea sounds good!" they all answered at once, as Ripper went to the kitchen.

"So Xander I'm happy to see that you didn't ask for a coke." said Angel smiling, his eyes glowing with mischief.

"Yes, I'm bored with it and it's too doughnut boy for comfort. I like to be able to be myself, when I'm surrounding by the people I trust." Xander said with a smile that reached his eyes and warmed Angel's and Kyle's heart. It had become so rare to see those true smiles that it made them smile as well.

"I understand and I'm happy to see the real you; you are really interesting and I like you." Angel told him. Then he turned to Kyle, "Kyle, I'm relieved to see you here, I have heard of Willow's and Buffy's hate for you and was worried for your safety. Will you want to return to your school? Even though I can assure you, that it will be a lot more dangerous than before; for you there."

"I…I…" Kyle was shocked and touched by the worry he could hear in Angel's voice. Not knowing how to respond he turned to look at Xander and he gasped as he saw the smile that was illuminating his lips.

"Yes, I'm worried too Kyle. Buffy could have killed you in that classroom, she doesn't like you and I fear what will happen to you, the next time she has the occasion to hurt you." Xander said.

"I know but where else could I go? I don't want to let you alone with those monsters; I won't forgive myself, if something bad was to happen to you! I already lost Jesse without doing something to save him; I won't let it happen to you too!" said Kyle shocking on a sob.

Xander sighed sadly and embraced Kyle with all his might. "Kyle, remember when you told me that the death of Jesse wasn't my fault, even though I was the one who staked a piece of wood through his heart." Seeing as Kyle was going to protest, Xander placated him with a look. "No don't interrupt me, I know it wasn't my fault and I have come to term with it. I did what was best for him, I know it; but what I don't understand is how this disaster could be your fault?"

Tears were streaking Kyle's face as he tried to explain what he was feeling. "I wasn't there to protect the two of you, it was my fault. I promised myself to do everything I could to prevent any harm that would come to you and I failed! I wasn't even there!" Shouted Kyle with all the remorse he had felt to this day.

"No, you are wrong and you know it! You couldn't have done anything more to help, it was his time and he felt it. That's why the day before his death, he asked us to not feel guilty because that wouldn't be our fault. When I reflect back to that day, I can't help but think that he told us his goodbyes; he had to have known that he was going to die." Said Xander, his voice showing all the conviction and strength he felt.

At that Kyle broke down completely, finally beginning the healing process of the guilt he had wrongly felt since Jesse's death. Xander wanted to help Kyle to the couch, to make him more comfortable, but he soon found out that he couldn't move. Angel seemed to see his dilemma and taking Kyle in his arms carried him to the couch. Once there he sat him comfortably on his lap taking him in his embrace.

Thankful for Angel's actions, Xander sat beside the vampire and joined the embrace. Leaning his body against Angel and his head against Kyle's, he murmured at the broken boy's hear all the comforting words he could think of, hoping they would find a way to reach him.

At the first shout coming from Kyle, Ripper had come back to the living-room, but he had stayed aside not willing to suffocate the boy. He knew that the boy was a really private person and he didn't want his presence to prevent the boy from finally confiding his feelings in them. They knew the courage and trust it was demanding of Kyle to open himself to them and they took it as the gift it was.

Though when he saw Kyle broke down and felt the agony coming from the boy, Ripper went to join the embrace on the couch as well. He sat on the floor in front of Kyle and let his arms encircled him, his hands stroking his hair with the tenderness of a father comforting his child after a nightmare.

They stayed like that for a while, before the boy's sobs calmed down enough for him to move his head from Angel's shoulder. They stopped completely as a feeling of shame rushed through him at his loss of control, but feeling the change in his behaviour Angel embraced him with more strength and said. "Don't be ashamed, you needed the comfort and we were happy to be the one to give it to you."

"Angel is right, it was hurting you and you needed to start to heal. You are strong Kyle, stronger than most men but you are still a child, and you shouldn't have to keep it all bottled down. So if you ever need to talk, never hesitate to come to us, we will always be there. It applies for you as well Xander, never feel ashamed to want to talk to one of us when you need it." Ripper said. Xander and Kyle nodded their thanks with eyes glowing with suppressed tears. For the first time they felt the joy of being able to trust someone else than the two of them, it was exhilarating.

Sensing that a change of subject was in order, Angel smiled warmly and said. "I have a proposition for you Kyle, with everything that had happened you know that you won't be able to return to school. So I was hopping that you would agree to come live with me at the Crawford manor. It's in need of reparation but it's liveable enough for you to be comfortable. It could also be a place to talk or be at peace, without Buffy or Willow to watch out for. What do you all think?"

"You would invite and let us come to your manor?" Xander asked; eyes and voice filled with awe. "And Kyle, I think it would be a good idea for you to stay there, you would be safe with Angel. You told me that your parents were worse than usual with you, though I know they wouldn't notice your absence if you were to stay at Angel's."

At that Ripper and Angel growled their anger making the two boys smiled shyly at them, but for once those smiles were smiles that reached their eyes. They felt loved and protected; feelings that warmed their abused hearts.

"Xander is right, it would be perfect for you and you won't have to worry about him, because I will be there to protect him. He will be safe with me; I have more resource now than I had as Giles. I have to say thank you Angel, it would be great to have a safe place to come to when we need the safety or we need to speak" At that Ripper looked firmly at the two boys, who chuckled lightly. "Yes sir! Yes!" replied Xander cheekily "Mission accepted sir!" With that the two boys burst out laughing.

"It's good to see them laugh so freely for once, No?" Ripper asked Angel as they chuckled watching the two boys let out the strain, they had accumulated that night. "Yes it is." Angel replied. It's nice to see them happy."

After a while the boys were back to the conversation, happily hugged between Angel and Ripper, feeling completely safe, cared for and protected. Ripper smiling warmly said. "Thanks to you Angel, a problem I had for a while has been solved. I was searching for a place where we would be safe from Buffy and Willow, when making plans or having Kyle and Xander safe from their parents, seeing as my apartment is rigged with spells and dark ones at that. So your manor would be perfect as the girls don't and won't know of it. Oh and don't worry those spells have been deactivated for the moment without Willow feeling it. I have to thanks Ethan for this powerful spell" Ripper said sadly but his eyes were alight with his determination to find Ethan; now he had help and his power and memories were back. So there was no doubt in his mind that he would have him back to his side in no time.

Angel smiled comfortingly at Ripper knowing what went through his head, then looking at the three of them he said tenderly. "It had been a long time since I have been able to take care of my family, but helping you made me feel the same way I felt back then. I want to protect and care for you as I know you will help me gather back my family and clan. What I hope for, is that when the time comes for me to take back the power and my place as the rightful master of my line, you will accept to be placed under my clan as members of my family. Though I will let you think about it till I kill the master, it would be too dangerous before that and it will give you the time to learn what it really imply. We will talk about it later and know that I will always be there to respond to any of your questions."

Xander, Ripper and Kyle were shocked by the great honour that was made to them; it was almost unheard of for non-vampire, to be formally asked to be part of a vampire's family. Kyle and Xander didn't really know what it implied but the pure love coming from Angel, made them realised that what they had now between the four of them, must be what a real family felt. The three of them glanced at each others warmly and in a common accord, embraced Angel tightly.

After releasing the vampire who seemed the happiest they had seen since they had met him, Ripper went to the kitchen and brought back the tea that had had more than enough time to warm. He poured each one of them a cup and when everyone had his in hands, he sat back on the couch with them and drank.

That was when Kyle remembered he was still sitting on Angel's lap and blushing darkly, he began to move away. "Oh no! You won't!" Angel said as he straightened his arms around the boy's waist, leaning him back against his torso.

"Don't be ashamed Kyle, you need to feel safe and love, and the three of us want to give you those feelings. So stay here and feel, that's all we ask of you." Ripper said, squeezing his arm in support. Xander only nodded, knowing that Kyle never felt the love that came from parents and leaned back against Angel, a smile brightening his face.

Opening his arm to Xander who was beside him, Angel said. "You too Xander, we know that those feelings were rare for you as well, come."

"Well now that we are all comfy and warmed, will you continue your story Ripper? Please!" Xander asked whining. "I so want to know how you escape!" he said fidgeting with anticipation.

"Why, Yes Xander! I think you have waited long enough now." Ripper replied smirking. "What…!" Xander said shocked into silence. "You did that on purpose!" He exclaimed, finally regaining his voice. "Yes, I did!" Ripper chuckled but then he decided to return to his story.

Friday was to be the day of the train's departure, so on Thursday Ripper asked his parents if he could go to the station early, so he didn't miss his train. He explained to them that he wanted to leave the house by seven; it would make him arrived at the station at nine and that would leave him with more than an hour to shop for the normal essentials he didn't had the time to buy. His parents were going to protest against the early wake-up call, when he told them that he would take a taxi. They were quick and happy to agree; they liked to take their time to wake-up and were seeing it as a chore after all.

He only had one last problem left to solve. How was he going to persuade them that it would be better for him to stay at the school during the holydays for seven years, not even once coming back to the house?

He shouldn't have worried about it, because his 'mother' told him that the council was soon going to give them a new mission. They were going to have to leave the house for a new and secret location, and wouldn't be able to have him back for the holydays; it would be too dangerous for everyone. They were not willing to risk this new mission for him, it was a test for a promotion in the council's ranking and if his 'parents" were one thing beside bullies, it was power hungry.

Leaping at the occasion Ripper told them that it was all right, his new school was a boarding school and he would be able to stay in the dorms for it's seven's years curriculum without a problem. It would let him focus on his studies as well and that was the argument that did it, because his 'parents' were smiling from hear to hear relieved to see their problem resolved. Rushing to his office, his father came back with all the materials he would need to continue his studies for the council. Ripper had to keep back his smirk at that; as if he was going to continue to learn this rubbish, he had his own personal demon's friend who was a lot more truthful and rightful teacher.

Happy with how things had worked for him, Ripper went to his room to pack his and Ethan's things. It didn't take long so he went to his window and watching without seeing the garden, and thought back to the day he received the train's tickets.

He was on his bed reading a book when the same owl as last time, flew through his open window and came to his pillow to lovingly nip at his hear. It made him laugh and he didn't miss the irony of receiving more affection from an owl he had just seen once before, than his supposed parents. He took the two letters it had brought and opening them, he saw the train tickets that would gave him and Ethan the freedom they had sought for. Happiness and excitement poured through him, Ethan was going to be safe, and he would make sure of it.

He gave the bird the owl's treat he had bought at the alley in thanks, and he was sure he had seen its eyes glowing with pride in response. He didn't know the owner of this owl but he hoped that he gave it the respect it deserved. It was a lot more intelligent and caring than most of the people he knew. The owl stayed for a while before going back to wherever it lived and its owner.

Returning to the present, he noticed that the sky had already darkened ant that if he didn't rush to the dining-room, he was going to be late. Luckily he arrived just a few seconds before his 'parents'; he wasn't willing to risk them reconsidering him going to the boarding school, by arriving late. That night they ate in silence, each one of them being in their own thought and not wanting to disturb the other. They ate quickly and once it was time for him to go to bed, Ripper went to his 'parents' and said them their goodbyes. For a family who was to be separated for seven years it was cold; there was no hug, no sadness, no love… just three people relieved to see things going their way.

Once Ripper was back to his room he checked that all the things he needed were safely packed and prepared himself to wait for the time to free Ethan. He hoped that Ethan would keep his faith in him and survive this last night of torture…

A.N:

° To Momma Hexie and subtleshadeofgrey, I'm happy that you like and continue to like this story! I hope this chapter will make you happy as well!

° To Carlough: first, I wanted to say thanks for all those reviews, I really appreciate them!

Second, yes for the crossover you are right, I must say it wasn't that subtle ^^. And two of your four guesses were right, but I won't reveal which ones.

° Review ^^