Immortal: the Virtual Series
Episode 3.12: Like Father, Like Son
Written by: The Main Slayer
Rating: K+ for foul language and disturbing scenes
Authors Note: There is one past sequence of Angel's that is completely my own creation. I realize that it is a little disturbing but I'm illustrating how important family and family position was back in the eighteenth century. I have no idea if situations like that actually happened; it is something I have made up. The second one is from Angel the episode called 'The Prodigal' it is copyright as such I just filled in the running commentary. I studied history; so I know the importance of getting your facts right. Now for my own benefit, I didn't study Russian history. If there are things that are not right I apologize but I'm not perfect and this is a piece of fiction from my head. Also the ancestor of Nicholas II is completely fictitious meaning I made her up.
Part One
Several months ago
Hank stood in his office waiting. He looked out the large windows down at the city beneath. It was hard to believe that this almost became a demonic wasteland. If they hadn't let Angel go when they did, or allowed him to leave when they did, this wonderful town of Los Angeles would have become a barren wasteland home to demons, vampires and the like. Hank breathed heavily and closed his eyes trying to envision the mess that Angel would have brought to the City of Angels. Opening his eyes he looked down again at the midday traffic and smiled. Life went on; Hank heard the speaker on his desk sound.
"Mr. Summers. You're twelve o'clock is here." Harmony's voice was pure and full of life; too bad her life had been cut short.
"Send him in." The speaker cut out and the door to Hank's office opened. Harmony held the door open for Hank's guest. Slowly, Rupert Giles sauntered into the room, apprehension on his face. Hank smiled and extended his hand.
"Mr. Giles. Please to meet you." Hank had to play nice. This was the man who had replaced him in his daughter's life; this was the man that knew more about his little girl than he did. Sure Hank had made some wrong choices in his life; cutting his children out was one of them. But that didn't mean that Hank wanted another man taking over his position.
"I'm sure the pleasure is yours." Giles responded. Hank laughed and motioned for Giles to take a seat in front of Hank's large oak desk.
"Now Rupert, I'm only here to talk."
"I'd prefer it if you didn't call me that. Giles will be sufficient." Hesitation only a moment, Giles sat down and crossed his legs. Giles had abandoned the Slayer cause years ago. When Buffy had decided to start her family with Angel and try to move on from being a Slayer, which seemed to be impossible for her, Giles had decided it was time to move on. His father had chosen his Watcher career for him years before he'd even been born. However, Giles' love for knowledge and books landed him a job at the London Museum, a job which ironically landed him a student follower named Amber. Amber was a Slayer; despite his efforts, his job seemed to follow him.
"Of course," Hank smiled at sat, "Now, Giles, I have a proposition for you." Giles began to laugh.
"I find that statement rather funny. An evil corporation needs my help; almost as funny as that same evil corporation asking their enemy to run it. You sure do some strange things."
"Quite right. We are strange but we get the job done and we do it well."
"Does Buffy know that you run Hell Incorporated or did you leave that out of your last Christmas card?" Giles asked knowing the comment would stab at the new CEO. If it did, Hank didn't show it on his face. The only reaction Giles could see was a tiny vein in his neck twitched ever so slightly.
"Now Giles, you know my daughter and I don't talk so why would I tell her about my career choices?" It was more a statement then it was a question but Giles simply sat and stared.
"What do you want from me?" Giles asked getting to the point.
"Directness, I appreciate that quality in you Giles. Always to the point." Giles waited as Hank pulled an envelope from a drawer and dropped it in front of Giles. He sat with his arms crossed and nodded to the file in front of him. Slowly, Giles moved forward and opened the file looking at the pictures within. Giles frowned and studied the pictures carefully. He pulled his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Do you know what that is, Mr. Giles?"
"Of course I know what this is. Why are you showing it to me?"
"Because I need you to help me find it."
"With all your resources here at Wolfram & Hart you need my help to find it? That sounds a little strange don't you think?" Giles flicked through the pictures again knowing full well that Wolfram & Hart would never be able to find this object. The Symbol of Fate was an icon that only the pure of heart could find and Wolfram & Hart was far from pure. Giles didn't want to help Wolfram & Hart and he had full intention to tell Hank to shove it up his ass but it would be lie to say that he wasn't intrigued as to why they were looking for it.
"Mr. Giles you know why I can't find this object. The Symbol of Fate is only found by the pure of heart. All I need, all Wolfram & Hart needs, is to know the approximate location of the Symbol. We have someone in mind to obtain it for us." Giles raised an eyebrow; who did Wolfram & Hart know that was pure enough to get this item?
"I can't help you." Giles said putting the folder back on Hank's desk. Giles crossed his arms and sat back in his chair. Hank laughed.
"Mr. Giles, we both know that you are going to help us. It's not in your nature to pass up an opportunity like this one."
"You obviously don't know me very well."
"Oh, I think I know you more than you would like me to know." Giles was sure that Hank wasn't lying. Wolfram & Hart never does anything half way. They would know all his childhood moments, all the times he was sick, all the times he was in trouble with the law and all the times he got a parking ticket. Hank most likely even knew about Giles personal life, including Olivia. If they wanted, they could destroy all that Giles had worked for before he even blinked.
"I can't help you. I don't even know where to begin."
"Well, that is what our archives are for." Hank smiled at him and motioned behind Giles. Giles turned slowly and saw several books on a cart. Giles knew that those books contained all of Wolfram & Hart's archives. All he had to do was say the name of a book and it would appear before him. Ever since Wesley had told him about them he'd wanted to see them. Wolfram & Hart had ever book in existence in those ten volumes. Giles turned back and lowered his head. Hank was smiling when he looked up, "You see I knew you would help me. Now please don't make me threaten you Mr. Giles. I will if I must but I'd rather you just get the work done and then we can part ways."
"What's the catch?" Giles asked knowing they had him.
"You do the research and then you help us obtain our target."
"You mean the person who's going to get the Symbol?" Giles asked, "How would I know who you're going to use?"
"Yes you do." Giles knew that Hank wasn't going to tell him who it was right now; but he would eventually. When the work was done, Hank would tell him. Giles had no idea that the in order to preserve his own world he would destroy the world of the one woman who he considered a daughter.
--
Present
Hank stood watching his daughter and her family. It was time. He nodded to Giles who continued to glare at him. Hank smiled and walked away from the crowded wedding reception. The clouds had rolled in and the rain had begun to fall. Willow, Buffy's friend, said a few single phrases and tents suddenly appeared covering the entire area. A small wind picked up blowing flower petals around the ground. Hank saw the dark figure standing in front of him. Slowly he moved towards it and stopped. Hank was away from the group and no one was paying attention to him. The Queen of the Beholders moved away from the shadows.
"My lady." Hank said with small bow.
"Mr. Summers. I'm glad to see that you are finally ready. When will I have the Symbol?" She asked.
"Soon. We are about to extract Angel now. He will retrieve the Symbol if he wants to keep his happy existence."
"Just remember, I need the Symbol in order to put my plans into motion. Without it, I will never be able to alter the Fate of the Slayer and that human loving animal. I will not be destroyed by some little girl." The Queen looked over towards Kera. It was hard to believe that such a small thing would be her undoing. Frowning, the Queen's hair began to change colour. Black flew down to the ends of her locks as she thought about the little bitch. Checking her anger, the Queen closed her eyes and focused on the task at hand.
"Don't worry, my Queen. He will not fail us."
"He better not. Now, let's get this over with, I grow impatient." The Queen stepped back into the shadows and disappeared from sight. Hank turned around and saw Giles leading Angel away from his wife and children. Connor's expression changed from happiness to a look of concern. Connor knew that something was wrong. Ever since he'd come back to life, he'd been different. Hank had no idea how Connor had survived or what those werewolves had done to him. Hank watched as Connor grabbed Tristan's arm and pointed towards Giles and Angel. He whispered something to his brother then together they walked towards them. Hank frowned. Moving his eyesight to one of his men, Hank motioned for them to stop Connor and Tristan. They would not interfere, no one would. The only way for Wolfram & Hart to survive was to help the Queen in her efforts. Everything existed on a thin line between good and evil at the moment, the Queen was threatening everything Wolfram & Hart had worked so hard to achieve. Hank turned his attention back to Giles who shook Angel's hand then lifting his right arm drove the needle into Angel's neck. Shock registered on Angel's face as he fell to the ground. Three of Hank's men were close behind as they picked up the unconscious vampire and dragged him away. Looking back to Connor, he saw Connor hit his man and race towards his father. Tristan was fast on his heels. Shit. Closing his eyes, Hank opened his mind to his spell casters surrounding the wedding. We need cover and we need it now. Do something. Within seconds the small storm that was affecting the area turned into a much larger storm. The wind picked up and began to upturn tables; the rain fell harder crashing through the tents that attempted to protect the guests. Buffy looked around unsure of what was happening. Hank could tell she was yelling to Willow who was attempting to control the storm. There was no way that the little witch was any match to his four spell casters. Hank was unconcerned. Moving towards Giles Hank place a hand on his shoulder:
"Well done, Mr. Giles." Hank yelled over the wind and walked towards where his men had dragged Angel.
"What are you going to do now?" Giles demanded. Hank looked past him as his men dragged a struggling Connor and Tristan. Connor was yelling at Giles.
"You son of bitch! What have you done? What have you done?" Connor continued to yell as he tried to reach Giles. Tristan struggled less but focused his attention more on Hank.
"She got to you didn't she?" Was all he said. Connor and Tristan were dragged away as Hank left Giles standing alone.
"Goodbye Mr. Giles." Giles said nothing as he watched Hank leave with Angel and his sons. Standing in the rain Giles turned to look at what was left of Buffy's fairytale wedding. As soon as Hank and the Wolfram & Hart team had left the wind had died, the rain had slowed and guests were picking up chairs that had fallen over. Buffy was sitting down at the alter with her head in her hands. Willow was yelling to the Slayers to follow the black vans that were leaving the house. Giles walked towards her. Someone he knew that she knew everything that had just happened. Willow glared at him as he walked past her; Xander picked up several chairs not making eye contact with Giles. Giles ignored them all and went straight to his Slayer. He noticed that she must have fallen at some point. Her dressed was ripped and her hair was a mess. The rain continued as Giles sat down next to her. He put his arm around the frozen Slayer and felt as her body stiffened. Slowly, she leaned her head against her Watcher and began to sob.
End of Part One
Part Two
Angel awoke to water being splashed on his face. His arms were above his head and his shoulders ached. Looking around he tried to focus on the object that had thrown the water. His vision was blurred and his mind hummed. He looked around and saw two other figures on the ground tied back to back. Angel tried to speak but no sound came from his dry throat. He was starving. His mouth and throat burned as he tasted his own blood. More water hit him in the face as he shook his head Angel's vision cleared.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?" Angel demanded.
"Dad!" Connor yelled.
"Connor, are you alright?" Angel asked.
"We're fine."
"We?" Angel asked.
"Tristan's here." Tristan didn't say anything. He simply looked ahead breathing deeply. Connor jabbed him in the ribs and Tristan turned his head. Remaining silent, Tristan nodded then returned to staring ahead. A figure moved in front of Angel's vision and stopped at the edge of the moonlight that filled the room.
"Angel. It's good to see you again." Hank's voice filled the room as Angel finally realized why he was here.
"What do you want from me?" Angel demanded focusing on the man in front of him. Angel had incredible night vision, thanks to his vampire genes, but with being knocked out by whatever drug they used, it took his eyes longer to adjust.
"You, somehow, broke our deal and we don't like it when someone gets the best of us. Especially if its you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Angel replied knowing full well that Hank was referring to the deal he'd made regarding Tristan's life.
"Angel, don't play stupid with me. You know this has everything to do with your sons."
"What's he talking about?" Connor asked. Hank turned to face Angel's sons and smiled.
"You don't know do you?" Hank walked over to Connor and knelt next to him, "Your father is the reason you died." Connor didn't react but glared at Hank wanting nothing more than to kill him. "When Tristan went missing Angel came to me and asked me to save him, asked us to save him. I told him the cost would be one son for the other…"
"Hank! So help me god, if you…"
"If I what? Tell him that you sacrificed him for your infant son who is going to kill you in the future?" Hank moved back to Angel and stepped into the light, "Please. You know exactly what you did for her. You gave up your first son for your new son. What would Darla say about that?" Angel glared at Hank but said nothing. What could he say? Hank was right; he'd sacrificed Connor for Tristan. He'd known the consequences when he came to Wolfram & Hart all those months ago. Angel avoided eye contact with Connor as Hank continued.
"Well, despite this, you are obviously not dead. I'm still not sure how that happened but we will find out. For now, your father here needs to do something for us if he wants his happy existence to continue."
"Dad, listen, I don't care what you did. I would have done the same thing for Tristan, he's my brother. Don't help them! Not for me not for Tristan. It's not worth it…" Connor was cut off as a fist connected with his face. Connor lurched to the side bringing Tristan with him. Connor's head connected with the hard ground and Tristan fell hard against Connor's right side. Connor grunted and passed out from the hit.
"Connor!" Angel yelled. Tristan looked over his shoulder and shuddered.
"He's out." Angel turned his attention back to Hank and allowing his anger and thrust get the better of him, his face morphed to his vampire features. Angel growled and tried to move towards Hank. Hank laughed.
"Please. You aren't going anywhere vampire. Believe me, if you hadn't just married my daughter, I'd probably have you killed. But as usual, you are far too valuable alive than dead. You will help us. We already know that, so why don't you just get off your high horse and listen to what I have to say."
"I never should have invited you." Angel commented. Hank knew that he had him. Angel allowed his features to return to normal and sighed heavily.
"Excellent. We'll talk, soon. But first you all need a shower and some clean cloths. I'll see you upstairs. Remember Angel, nothing funny or your perfect world will end a lot faster than you think." Hank left the room and the figure with the water walked up to Angel and cut the ropes. Several crossbows were pointed at Angel as he fell to the ground. Looking around Angel tried to determine if it would be worth it to start a fight to get out; he decided against it. Moving towards his sons, he touched Tristan on the shoulder.
"Are you alright?" He asked. Tristan nodded and allowed his father to untie him and Connor. Once he was free, Tristan turned and helped Angel lift Connor up and carry him towards the door. The six Wolfram & Hart employees pointed their weapons at Angel and together, moved as a unit up from the bowels of Wolfram & Hart to the upper suites where Angel knew cloths and a hot shower was waiting for them.
--
Connor awoke an hour later on a soft bed. He groaned softly and touched his face. He knew there was going to be a purple bruise on his face. Stretching, Connor sat up and looked around. His accommodations were a lot better than before. Listening carefully, Connor heard a television running. Slowly, Connor stood up and walked out of the room to the large spacious living room that must have been the penthouse suite at Wolfram & Hart. Tristan was sitting on the couch watching some program on the television. He didn't look away from the screen when Connor walked in.
"He's not here." He said.
"Where is he?"
"He's in a meeting with Mr. Summers." Tristan continued to watch the program and pointed towards the kitchen, "There's food on the counter." Connor looked over and saw two pizza boxes on the counter. One was almost finished and the other had two pieces taken from it. Figures that he'd eat all the food. Connor moved towards the door and tried the handle. The knob didn't move, "Don't bother. It's magically locked and we can't get out until dad agrees to Wolfram & Hart's terms. So technically we're prisoners." Connor tried the knob again and sighed.
"Figures. Why is it that when someone wants something, they always use the kids as a chess piece?" Connor knew that he wasn't going to get an answer but he figured it would make him feel better to express the question regardless. Tristan shrugged and continued to watch the show. Connor moved towards him and sat down on the couch.
"What you watching?" Connor asked.
"Shark Week on Discovery channel."
"Cool. I love Shark Week." Connor replied settling in to watch.
--
Angel sat across from Hank arms crossed and clearly angry. Hank had a smug smile on his face that told Angel that there was really no turning back. Hank waited for Angel to process everything he'd just told him. His Seers already told him that Angel would agree to the task and making him sit and wait simply made amused Hank.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Angel asked.
"We are not doing anything to you. Need I remind you, that if you'd stayed with Wolfram & Hart you would have plunged the world into complete chaos. We did you a favour by allowing you to leave. You know that we have the power to turn back the clock and change everything that you've done…"
"You need the Symbol to do that and you know it." Angel commented.
"We might need it to make changes permanent but we can change your contract. That is within our rights and part of the agreement you signed to save your own ass. Lets not play games; I know you are going to help me so why are we bothering with all of this?" Angel sighed heavily and thought of everything that Hank could take away from him. He would ruin his own daughter's happiness to better Wolfram & Hart's goals and status. He had no idea what Hank wanted with the Symbol or who he was going to give it to, but there was little he could do about it now.
"How did you find it?" Angel knew that finding the Symbol was incredibly difficult. It would have taken months of research to even find out what continent it was on.
"Do you really want me to answer or do you already know?" Angel's memory of being his was fuzzy but he did remember speaking to Giles right before it happened…
"Giles? You got to Giles? What did you threaten him with?"
"We don't make threats. We make promises. Mr. Giles knew what he was getting into." Angel shook his head. This was getting better and better.
"Where do you want me to go?" Angel asked defeat in his voice. Hank smiled and leaned forward.
"Ironically, Europe. Mr. Giles narrowed it down to Russia. I assume you've been to Russia before?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. We think you should start in St. Petersburg and head out from there. Rumor and legend has it that the Symbol was a artifact that was past down through the Czar's family."
"That's the best you can give me? Russia and the Czar?"
"You and I both know that the exact location of the Symbol can only be found by the pure of heart. That would be you; we can only narrow down where it might have been last. The rest will be up to you my friend."
"We are not friends."
"No? I think we are in the beginnings of a beautiful friendship."
"This is a one time thing. Then I'm done. I will no longer help you or Wolfram & Hart."
"You say that now…"
"No. I mean it. This is it and then I want you to leave me and my family alone." Hank knew that Angel's life was about to be thrown apart despite what he was demanding. He didn't see the harm in agreeing; the Queen had so much more in store for them than anything Wolfram & Hart could do. Smiling, Hank thought only for a second longer.
"As you wish."
"I want it in writing." Angel demanded. Hank hit a button on his speaker and asked Harmony to bring him the prewritten contract. Angel smiled as the blonde came into the room and glared at him. She put the document on the table and left promptly, "You still have her working here?"
"You have seen her right?" It was like Hank didn't need a reason other than the fact that she was beautiful. Angel had to admit, when he'd been in charge looking at Harmony first thing in the morning was not a bad thing. Hank flipped the contract open to the back and handed Angel a pen. Angel laughed and picked up the document. He read it through three times before he was satisfied that there was no way Wolfram & Hart could go back on their word. He made sure that all his family was in there, including Faith, before he pricked his finger and signed the paper. Hank took hold of the contract and put the file in the top left hand side of his desk. Hank handed over another file folder and Angel picked it up.
"That folder contains all of Mr. Giles' research. That is all the help you are going to have other than your own personal contacts."
"How am I getting there?" Angel asked.
"You'll have the jet of course. It's the only way you will be able to travel without dying."
"And my sons?" Angel asked.
"They are leverage of course. They will remain here at Wolfram & Hart until you return."
"It will be much faster if I have more heads helping me." Angel commented.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
"No, I think you already have a way to let them come with me that will still ensure that I bring you what you want. You forget that I used to run this place." Angel said.
"You really do believe you know everything. But you are right; they may go with you. But if you try anything, including sending them back to your wife they will both die." Angel nodded and fiddled with the edge of the folder.
"What about Buffy? Can I at least tell her I'm okay?"
"I'm sure by now Giles has told her his involvement in everything and what you are looking for. I'm sure she will find some way to get in touch with you but if you speak to her…"
"I know, I know. She'd dead their all dead. You don't lack for subtlety do you?"
"We are nothing if not efficient."
"Whatever you say." Angel stood and walked towards the door. Opening in front of him, Connor and Tristan entered the room. On their right wrists were black bands. Angel knew that was the way that Wolfram & Hart was going to track their every move. Connor crossed his arms visibly angry with his father; Angel shrugged and walked past them. Connor and Tristan followed their father towards the elevator. Harmony winked at Tristan and waved. Angel rolled his eyes and hit the button. The three O'Connor's entered the elevator and stared at Hank.
"Oh and one more thing," Hank held the elevator button to open and smiled, "Time is of the essence so if you don't mind, I'd like the Symbol as soon as possible."
"Of course it is." Angel replied. The elevator closed and together they headed towards the roof where the Wolfram & Hart jet was waiting for them.
End of Part Two
Part Three
Buffy sat alone in her room. She was sitting on her bed in her soaking wet and ripped wedding dress. There goes ten grand. Buffy thought holding up a torn piece of dress. She dropped her hand and let it sit in her lap. For the longest time, Buffy stared at her hands and the ring that now sat on her left finger. She'd let Giles walk her to her room, but had slammed the door in his face and told him to go to hell. She'd been alone for four hours; fours hours that could have been spent looking for her husband and sons. A soft knock came from the other side of her door. She didn't say anything but knew that the door would open anyway. Dawn, Kera, Faith and Kathy entered the room. They had all changed and were visible tired from cleaning up the mess that was outside. Dawn sat next to her sister and put her arm around Buffy's shoulders. Buffy turned away from Dawn and looked towards the wall. Faith closed the door and stood with her back to it. Kathy and Kera stood in front of Buffy and waited. Finally giving in, Buffy turned to her family and attempted a smile.
"Anything?" She asked. Faith shook her head.
"No. Xander and Willow have been working on it. We also have a Slayer group in Los Angeles heading towards Wolfram & Hart to see if they can put any pressure on them."
"That's not going to work. Wolfram & Hart aren't going to give up anything." Buffy said quietly. Dawn squeezed her shoulders and rubbed her back.
"Maybe not, but it's worth a shot." Faith answered.
"I guess." Dawn continued to rub her back and smiled.
"Maybe we should get you cleaned up? Out of this…" Buffy turned to her sister and fought back tears. This was supposed to be the best day of her life but instead she was sitting in a torn dress on her bed with no husband.
"I suppose you're right. Do you think you guys could help me?" Buffy asked.
"Of course." Buffy stood up slowly and headed towards the bathroom. Within minutes, Buffy was undressed showered and fresh faced. Buffy stared at herself in the mirror and examined all her lines and the bags under her eyes. Kathy, Kera and Dawn had left leaving Buffy alone with Faith. Faith was sitting on Buffy's bed when Buffy came out of the bathroom. Buffy managed a smile and sat next to her friend. It as strange, after all that Faith and Buffy had been through that they would become best friends.
"How are you holding up?" Buffy asked.
"Me? You're asking me how I am. Your husband was kidnapped…"
"So was Connor." Buffy offered.
"I know. But they weren't after Connor, they were after Angel. Connor was simply an extra grab."
"We've been through a lot haven't we?" Buffy offered.
"More than I'd like. I always knew that men would be the end of me." Faith commented. Buffy looked at the seriousness in Faith eyes then burst into laughter. Faith furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Buffy as if she'd finally gone crazy. After a few moments, Faith realized how funny that sounded and started to laugh along with Buffy.
"I'm sorry," Buffy said between laughs, "that's not funny, but it is all the same."
"No it's funny." Faith replied, "You know me and men. Get some get gone; that's what it used to be like for me. Now…I think you've worn off on me. I'm in love and everything."
"Love feels good doesn't it?" Buffy said.
"I guess. We'll see. I'm still a little apprehensive."
"So, now what?" Buffy asked.
"You go and talk to Giles." Faith said sternly. Buffy rolled her eyes and stood walking towards the large bay window in her bedroom, "I'm serious, Buffy. You have to go and talk to Giles. He might be the only one that can help us find Angel. He's really sorry, but Wolfram & Hart threatened him too. What was he supposed to do?"
"I don't know."
"Look. Get over yourself; Giles is sorry. Talk to him. Fix it." Faith stood and walked towards the door. She held it open and motioned for Buffy to follow her. Rolling her eyes again, Buffy followed Faith towards the large library located in their home. She walked by the twin's room and smiled as she watched Dawn and Kathy picked up her babies and played with them. Giles was sitting in the library when Faith and Buffy entered. Willow was floating above their heads blue and white energy crackling around her. Xander's nose was in a book and so was Giles'. Giles looked up and tried to smile. Buffy waved slightly and sat down next to him.
"So, what do we have so that I can save my husband?" Buffy asked.
"Unfortunately, all I could find out before all this went down was that the Symbol of Fate is in Russia."
"What is the Symbol of Fate?" Buffy asked.
"Essentially, the Symbol of Fate is the only item that can change the Fate of any given individual. The Symbol can only be found and obtained by one with a pure being, or soul. That individual then has the power to hand the Symbol over to whoever they like. As soon as that is handed over, the person holding it can change anyone's fate no matter how insignificant."
"Why would something like that exist?" Buffy asked.
"The Symbol has mostly been a myth. It was always believed that the Three Fates had the Symbol. Legend has it, when the Three Fates are threatened they send the Symbol as far away from themselves as possible. That way there is no chance of someone stealing it from them while they are no longer in control of Fate. The Fates must be in danger or the Symbol would have never left their possession."
"How do we find the Fates?"
"We can't." Willow said as she floated to the ground, "Apparently the Fates were attacked by the Queen several months ago. One of the Fates was put into a coma because of the Beholders and the other two sisters left their safe heaven to come to the mortal world. No one knows where they are."
"Which Fate was affected?"
"I have no idea. All I know is that they have given up their immortality and are now a part of the mortal world."
"So we should find them?" Buffy asked, "If we find them we can find a way to get them the Symbol?"
"Essentially."
"Where were they last seen?" Buffy inquired.
"New York. They must have been following you." Willow said. Giles through his glasses down on the table and rubbed his eyes. This was his entire fault and he knew it. What more could he do? How could he make it all better?
"What if we summoned them?" Giles offered.
"I thought you Willow just said they were mortal now?"
"The Fates could never be mortal. They simply do it to protect themselves. If we summoned them and attempted to save their sister they might be able to help us." Giles sat back and waited. Willow smiled and nodded her head.
"That is doable. I think I can manage the summons but it might take me a bit."
"Get on it." Buffy said with conviction in her voice, "Where are the Fates? Where would their sister be?"
"They don't live in our world. They are apart from our reality. The only way to get to their home is if one of them invites us to go. If you go on your own you risk death." Giles said.
"Okay, so we summon the Fates. We tell them we can help their sister, but how? We don't even know how to defeat the Queen how in the world are we going to be able to save their sister?" Faith asked.
"I've been making some headway with that." Giles said turning back to the book in front of him, "The council had some material on the Beholders but not much. The Beholders were created by the Lord of the Underworld, only he has the true ability to kill them completely. However, there are a select few who are born with the ability to send the Queen and her followers back to the Underworld for eternity."
"Is that why she's been after Tristan? Do you think Tristan has this ability?" Xander asked.
"I don't think so." Giles said, "Only one of pure heart has this ability. Tristan, for the most part, is not pure. All the events that have happened in his life, especially killing his parents, make his Fate far from pure."
"So, who then?" Xander asked. It took only Buffy a moment to connect the dots.
"Kera. It's Kera. She's the one the Queen is after." Buffy said clearing her throat.
"I think you're right. Kera has spent her life trying to save her brother and fix the damage that he's done. She has undying faith in her brother and the belief that he can be saved. Kera is the real target."
"So now that we know that, we can protect her." Xander said.
"Possibly, but we also have it to our advantage. The Queen isn't about to give up that easily. I believe that Wolfram & Hart is getting the Symbol for the Queen. With it she will be able to alter the fate of anyone she chooses." Giles said.
"Like Kera's." Buffy said.
"I believe so."
"So how can Kera help the Fates?" Faith asked. Giles sighed and cleared his throat.
"I believe her blood is the answer."
"It's always blood." Buffy said. Giles smiled and nodded slightly, "So let's get on this. If we can't get to the Symbol at least we can find the Fates and try to fix what the Queen's done. Maybe Angel can hold off for long enough so we can get the Fates to him before Wolfram & Hart."
"It's a good start."
--
The flight to Russia was going to take hours. Angel had decided that it was the perfect time to catch up sleep. Since the birth of his twins, Angel hadn't slept much. Though they tried, Buffy and Angel were finding it harder and harder to sleep especially with Tristan's night terrors. Angel's whole life was a complete blessing, but there were times he missed when he was alone with no responsibilities. Smiling to himself he knew that he wouldn't change his life for anything. His life before had been miserable, he was now content; happy. The beauty of using Wolfram & Hart as their mode of transportation, it came with a private jet with no stops; food of all varieties; television; video games and so much more. For the first several hours Connor and Tristan had play Mario cart on the Wii system and to Tristan's anger he lost several times. They'd finally given up after what felt like the billionth game and opted watching some TV. They still had a long way to go and many hours to fill. Angel was only moments into a blissful sleep when Connor hit him in the leg. Not opening his eyes, Angel frowned.
"What?" Angel asked.
"We're bored." Connor said. Angel laughed.
"Now children, you are grown adults, please find something to do." Angel replied keeping his eyes closed. Connor motioned for Tristan to join him. Sliding up, Tristan sat next to Connor holding his knees. Connor felt that at that moment, Tristan looked like a scared child. Connor forgot that Tristan had the worst upbringing; worse than his own. Tristan, everyday, lived with the memory that he killed his parents. Connor looked down at the ground remembering that once he'd almost killed their father. That night was still vivid in his mind even though he had been forgiven. Connor hit him again.
"Seriously, what more can we do for like five million hours?" Connor asked. Angel opened his eyes and frowned.
"It's not five million hours."
"It might as well be. Why does it have to be Russia?" Connor asked.
"Because that is where we are going."
"Yeah but it's so far." Connor complained.
"Connor, suck it up. Twenty six hours is not that long." Angel replied.
"It's long enough."
"Keep us entertained." Tristan said, "Tell us something…about you." Angel sat up and looked at his son.
"You want me to tell you something about me?"
"Sure. It's not like you shared when I was little and I'm sure that Connor doesn't know much about you…none of us really do. So, tell us a story about you…when you were alive." Tristan trailed off and looked at Connor. Connor smirked and nodded.
"Yeah, I love stories."
"You guys don't want to know about me. Really, I'm not that interesting." Angel offered trying to get out of the situation he didn't want to be in.
"What are you scared to tell us? Come on how bad could it be?" Connor asked. Off their looks, Angel knew that this wasn't going to get dropped.
"Fine! What do you want to know?" Angel asked. Connor thought for a second but was beat out by Tristan.
"What was grandfather like?" Tristan asked. Angel felt like he'd been hit by a truck. He was expecting a question about himself not about his father. Angel didn't like to talk about his father; they'd never gotten along and he felt that his father was controlling, undermining, arrogant man who believed that Angel would never amount to anything. Angel shook his head and averted his eyes.
"Don't you want to know something else?" He tried to change the topic but knew that Tristan wasn't going to let up.
"No. I've always been told growing up that I'm so like you. But am I like the vampire or the human? I keep thinking that maybe if I knew who my grandfather was and who you were then I might find out who I am…" Tristan kept his voice small. He hated knowing that he was a killer. Did it bother his father to know that he killed people? Did it bother Connor? Tristan thought that with the Queen by his side nothing would ever bother him. But now he wasn't so sure. Angel leaned back in his large chair and tried to think of something he could tell them.
"My father was a very hard man. He was incredibly religious and believed that a man was worth only what he did in life. My father tried so hard to advance our family name; he tried harder than others. We were by no means rich; we would have been considered a middle class family. We had one servant and very few animals. We had a few chickens and one cow but that was about it. He did his best for his family and he expected a lot out of us…especially me. When I was growing up he always taught me that in order to make anything of myself I had to be better than him. He had such high expectations for me that there was no way for me to fulfill what he thought would be my life."
"Why? What did it matter what you did?"
"Because what I did reflected my family. The most important part of life in the eighteenth century was family. You married for advancement, everything you did professionally was meant to make your family stand above another. It was really important to my father. He wanted me to be the one to secure a high standing for the O'Connor name. Of course, I had other plans for myself."
"What did you want?" Connor asked.
"Well I definitely didn't want to get into politics like my father. My father immersed himself in local and country politics. It was his life; he worked for the city, or what you would consider the city back then, and he did really well but not well enough. He wanted me to do more; get into politics and become mayor if he'd had his way. But that isn't what I wanted; I wanted to be free. I wanted to be an artist; I wanted to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. He hated that I didn't take anything seriously. I'd much rather waste my day away sitting in the local tavern then spend time listening to men debate the topic of the day."
"Sounds like you just wanted to live your life the way you wanted." Tristan commented.
"Yeah, I did. But that wasn't how things worked back then. You did what you father told you no questions asked. Never questions; only obey, do as you're told. I hated it. I wanted to escape so badly and my escape was alcohol. Be this a reminder to never drink: I'm an alcoholic. I spent every day all day doing nothing but getting drunk and I liked it. I used alcohol as an escape from the world my father was creating for me. There were nights when I would drag my sorry ass home and my father would be waiting to beat me with the closet thing he could find. To make matters worse, I didn't just like booze, I liked women. I had developed such a reputation for sleeping around that anyone who might have thought of marrying me wouldn't. Believe me, I understand what I did with my life but if not for his controlling nature…I don't know. Maybe I would have done something different with my life. I never understood what my father meant when he said to me that he was never in my way, but I do now. No matter how much my father rode me, he only wanted what was best for me. Just like I only want what's best for you."
"Sounds like life was really hard."
"It was."
"What was the worst thing he'd every done to you?" Tristan asked.
"Why do you want to know that?" Angel asked.
"Because I do." Tristan replied. Angel thought for a moment. He thought about how he could tell them a small story and censor how bad his father's beatings had actually gotten. But what would that accomplish? His sons wanted the truth, so why not tell them? Angel sighed.
"Alright, but you can't think any less of me when I tell you this story."
"Promise." Both boys said in unison. Angel leaned forward and closed his eyes for a moment. He hadn't told this story in centuries. He'd rarely thought of it actually. Every now and then someone would comment, where did those tiny scars come from? Did you know that you have little white scars all over your back? Angel never answered the questions he'd simply smiled and said he'd never remembered how he'd gotten them, must have been some childhood accident. But in truth, it'd been a whole lot worse.
"It happened six months before I'd died. Connor do you remember asking me about the little white scars on my back?" Connor nodded and waited, "Well, in November of 1752 I'd decided to go out…
November 23, 1752 Galway Ireland
As usual, he'd fought with his father. As usual, his father had told him he was worthless and would never amount to anything. As usual, the only escape Liam knew of was heading to the local tavern and drinking his life away. That is what he spent most of his time doing; drinking. His father always told him that ale would be the end of all men; that it was a sin to drink as much as he did. Liam didn't care. He liked how the alcohol made him feel; he liked the feeling of emptiness that came along with it. No inhibitions; not rules; nothing. Liam had told his friend Tommy that he'd meet him there just after dusk. Tommy was already there and he'd already started. Tommy raised his mug towards the air showing that he saw Liam; smiling, Liam sauntered over to his friend and ordered a round.
"What took you so long?" Tommy asked.
"What else?" Liam raised his eyebrow and took a swig of his drink.
"No matter; you're here now. To being young and free." Tommy raised his glass and touched it to Liam's. For hours, Liam and Tommy drank. It wasn't too long until Liam's vision started to blur and his sense of composure was faltering. While spending time with a bar maiden, Liam noticed a group of men in the corner. God, wouldn't it be fun to cause trouble tonight? Liam thought. Downing the rest of his mug, Liam stared at the men and smiled. The look in Tommy's eyes suggested the same thing. Liam had forgotten how angry his father had made him and a bar fight might just be the solution. Ordering another drink for confidence Liam knew the perfect way to get into trouble. Pushing the girl off his lap, Liam swaggered over towards the men in suits. Tommy followed behind him.
"You know, this is not a place for men like you. Why don't you just go home to your wives and leave the women here to men like us. Free men. Men who are not tied down to anyone or anything." Liam's words slurred as he spoke but none of it mattered. These men symbolized everything that his father was. Proud men who were more excited about fucking their wives friends then going home and actually being a man. Men who got off on beating their children and belittling them to the point that they no longer wanted to live.
"Move along son. No need to start anything."
"I'm not your son! You are everything that is wrong with this world, do you know that?" Liam asked. Tommy took Liam's lead and dumped his ale all over one of the men sitting at the table. Tommy laughed and so did Liam; the man didn't think it was so funny. Throwing his fist forward, the man connected with Liam's face. Liam didn't know how to react; he felt so off on his feet that the hit sent him flying. The fight didn't last long. Before he knew it, Liam was being dragged out of the bar and thrown into a snow heap. Two members of the Watch were standing above him. The Watch was Galway's answer to night policing and Liam had had numerous run ins with them. One of them laughed at him and kicked him.
"We told you that if we'd found you again you wouldn't get out of it so easily."
"You ruined that nice mans expensive suit. Who do you think is going to pay for that?" Soon after, Tommy came flying out of the tavern and landed face first on the wet paved ground. Tommy tried to stand but collapsed. Liam laughed and tried to stand. The officer kicked him down again and smiled.
"Where do you think you're going? You are in major trouble this time. It's the stacks for you my friend."
"Wait! Officers, don't you think there is a better solution?" The voice was that of Tomas Bristol, family friend of Liam's father.
"Sorry, Dr. Bristol. We were told by the constable that if he was caught making trouble again it was to the stacks. He's caused enough public disturbances to last a life time."
"Surely you have better things to do other than to…"
"Orders are orders."
"Well, I'll be going to the Justice about this."
"He doesn't care." They both bent down and picked up Liam's soaked body. He was suddenly cold knowing that he was about to spend the next few days in public view for his drunkenness.
"Not to worry Liam, I'll get your father…" Tomas stopped. He knew that saying this wouldn't make Liam feel any better. Lowering his head, Tomas watched as Liam was dragged to the central square. Liam's legs felt heavy; they dragged behind him splashing up mud and water. It started to snow as the officers dragged Liam's heavy form towards the stacks. Liam had no strength to fight them; he let them put his hands and head into the large wooden frame and listened as it was locked into place. Liam's body simply hung there as the people in the streets passed. One of the officers laughed and bent down.
"Maybe this will give you something to think about." The officer hit Liam in the face; Liam tasted blood. The officers left laughing and headed back towards the tavern where they picked up Tommy and dragged him in the opposite direction. Liam hung his head and avoided eye contact. The snow started to fall heavier and covered his body in a white layer. Liam shuddered from the cold. Sleep didn't come to him as he hung there in the middle of the square for everyone to see. Liam kept his head down in the hopes that no one would recognize him but he knew there was no hiding. After the first day and night Liam was growing hungry. They would put stale bread and water in front of him and someone would feed him. It hurt to swallow; the wooden structure making it difficult to breathe and eat. One the second night a figure stood before him. He knew who it was. Behind the man were two women; they were both crying. Liam didn't lift his head. A hand forcefully brought his face up to look the man in the eyes. His father stared at him with a hard look of disappointment on his face. Liam tried to move his head but his father only tightened his grip.
"You are no son of mine." His father said to him roughly dropping his face. Liam's head hung as his father's words sounded in his mind. Liam saw him grab his mother's arm and drag her away from him. Liam wanted nothing more than to cry out to his mother but that would only be a sign of submission and weakness. Instead Liam hung in silent torment as the night turned bitter cold. On the third night the two officers who'd brought him here arrived. Laughing they unlocked the padlock and flung the wooden beam open. Liam's body was so heavy that he fell to the ground. He'd barely eaten, he'd had no sleep and his body ached from being in the same position for hours on end. A hand came down on his shoulder steadying him. Tomas Bristol pulled Liam up by the arm and flung it over his shoulder. The officers walked away and left Tomas to carry Liam's cold weather beaten body towards his home. It took them over an hour to walk to his house; on any normal day it would have taken then minutes but with Liam beaten and breathing raggedly, Tomas took his time. Knocking softly on the door, Tomas held Liam up. The door opened and Catherine, Liam's sister, held the door open wide. Tomas could tell she'd been crying. It was hard to watch your loved one suffer even if they had brought the trouble on themselves. Liam's father stood in the doorway.
"No. Bring him around back."
"Kieran…" Tomas began but off his friend's look he closed his mouth and dragged Liam towards the back of the house. At the back of the small single family home was a small garden sitting area that had its own personal well. Most families had their own source of water; Anna, the house hold maid, was gathering water when Tomas came around. She turned around and let out a cry of shock.
"Master Liam…" She tried to reach for him but Tomas stayed her hand.
"Off with you." Tomas said. Anna took hold of her bucket and left the yard. Tomas could hear Marie yelling.
"Kieran please! Don't do this! He's just a boy…"
"He is a grown man and my son. You will stay out of this. Keep the girl inside." Tomas tried to ignore the voices as he gently lowered Liam to the ground. Kieran came outside and walked up to his son with a rope in his hands. Tomas stepped in front of his friend and held up his hands.
"Kieran, don't you think he's suffered enough?"
"Do you think I've suffered enough, my friend? Look what he's done to our family name? No one will want him now. You've done enough. Go home."
"I won't. I won't let you kill him."
"Who says I'll kill him?"
"Kieran, you need me to stay…" Tomas pleaded.
"If you are staying, you will not get in my way. This is for my family name and honour. Do you understand that?" Kieran demanded. Tomas slowly nodded and without hesitation stepped aside. There was nothing more he could do now. All he could do was wait till it was over. Kieran strode over to his son and pulled him around tying his hands to the left side of the well. He ripped his son's shirt off and walked away. Liam shuddered; he was so cold and so tired from being in the stacks for three days that his body had no strength left in it. Liam then started to cough; it hurt to cough. He was sick, he could tell. Tomas, being a doctor, knew that the young man before him was ill. He wanted nothing more than to go to him and bring him inside warm him up and make him drink a hot tonic, but Kieran wouldn't allow it. Kieran returned with an object in his hands. He stood back from his son and glared at the man that was supposed to be his flesh and blood.
"You have embarrassed me for the last time, boy. You will never be anything and you've damaged your family's reputation beyond repair. I wanted a son!" Kieran was holding his anger as best he could more importantly he was holding back his tears of disappointment, "I asked for a son and God gave me you. A terrible disappointment. You are not my son." Liam tried to speak but his voice caught in a coughing fit again. Kieran didn't hesitate. He brought the five lash wipe in his hand behind his head and struck; once, twice, three times; Tomas held himself still as Liam's body shuddered and convulsed in pain and tiredness. Within moments, Liam cried out. He tried to control his voice, but he couldn't; he was too tired. Kieran only stopped when his son went still. Breathing heavily, Kieran dropped the wipe and walked back into his home. The last thing he said was, "He's your problem now." When Kieran was out of sight, Tomas went to Liam and called for Anna, "Anna! I need you now!" Anna was outside in minutes and upon seeing Liam's body she was sick. Tomas snapped at her.
"Get a hold of yourself. I need you to help me get him inside." Anna composed herself and helped Tomas dragged Liam's body into the house. Liam had passed out when they put him on his bed. Tomas closed the door and asked Anna to get him some bandages and hot water. Liam began to cough, blood spraying his pillow…
"I was sick for three months after that. From being in the cold and the lack of food and water in the stacks to being wiped by my father until I passed out, Tomas didn't think I was going to make it. But somehow I did. That was also the longest I was ever sober. I don't hate my father for what he did; you'd think I would but I don't. He did what he did because that's how things were; if you didn't tow the line you ran the risk of getting hit. I managed to stay sober for five months after that I began to drink again and within a month after that I died." Angel stopped his story and looked at his sons. Connor didn't know what to say.
"Wow. I don't even know what to say to that." Connor replied. Tristan remained silent.
"You don't have to say anything. That was the way things were." Angel looked out the window and saw that night had fallen. They would most likely be arriving within several hours. Angel looked at Tristan and tried to get his attention.
"He sounds like a monster."
"He wasn't. He was a father." Angel replied.
"No father should treat their son like that." Connor said.
"True. But as I said, that is just how things were." Angel replied. Tristan stood and walked towards the long couch that was on the plane. He sat down and looked out the window. Angel didn't push Tristan for any comment, neither did Connor. Connor also stood and sat next to his father. Picking up the book he'd been reading Connor opened it and fell silent.
"I told you it'd be a kill joy." Angel said.
"Nah, it's just a story that will take some time to digest." Connor replied.
"Sorry." Angel replied.
"No, dad. Really. We asked. It's just something hard to hear; that kind of stuff happening to my father. It's hard." Connor replied.
"Okay fine, we don't ask me anymore questions. Let's just get through this flight and find this Symbol so we can get home." Angel said leaning the chair back so he could get some sleep.
"Agreed." Connor and Angel fell silent as they both looked over to Tristan. Angel wanted nothing more than to reach out to his son and find out what he was thinking. Instead, Angel remained silent and closed his eyes. Tristan sitting still on the couch looked out the window. Well I wanted to know. I am just like my father; my grandfather. I'm a monster. I torture my family; I want to punish them. What's the saying? Like father, like son? Well, at least I know. Tristan felt sick. Laying his head on the back of the couch Tristan tried to focus on something that good in his life. Unfortunately, there was nothing he felt was good or worth remembering. Maybe this Symbol of Fate could save him from his destructive path. Maybe it could save him from killing his parents….maybe.
End of Part Three
Part Four
Wolfram & Hart had told Angel that he wasn't allowed to contact Buffy but there were some forms of contact that they couldn't control. While spending the twenty six hours on the plane Angel managed to get some sleep and so did his wife…
The ocean spread out before him. The sun's warm rays warmed his cool skin. Angel breathed deep and closed his eyes. It was quiet and peaceful; the sound of the waves crashing against the surf; the wind gently blowing Angel's shirt. He opened his eyes and found a goddess before him. He smiled wide and walked quickly towards her. She broke into a run and jumped into his arms kissing him hard on the mouth. The wind blew her hair in his face but the luscious scent of her made his heart race. Angel held her close and never wanted to let her go. She broke off their kiss and pressed her forehead against his. Tears fell down her cheeks as she touched and held his face.
"Are you alright?" Buffy asked him. Angel smiled and held her tighter.
"Yes, I'm fine. The boys are fine we're all okay." Buffy kissed him again and smiled against his mouth.
"I miss you." She said.
"I miss you." Angel held her as she hugged him. Reluctantly Buffy let him go and he put her down on the soft sand. Buffy took his hand and they began walking towards a blanket that was laid out on the ground. Buffy leaned her head against Angel's shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Giles and the gang have been working around the clock to find a way to get to you before you give the Symbol to Wolfram & Hart." Buffy said relishing in the presence of her new husband.
"So he told you everything?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, he did. At least all that he could, he only knows as much as he told Wolfram & Hart. We still don't know why they want it or for what purpose." They reached the blanket and together they sank into the soft ground and Buffy leaned against his chest. Angel wrapped his arms around her and sighed.
"Well what I can tell you is that we are on our way to St. Petersburg. From there, I'm not sure. They tell me that someone from the office in St. Petersburg will be meeting us at the airport. We should be landing at night but either way, it shouldn't matter."
"Do you know where you are going from there?" Buffy asked.
"Probably their offices, I'm sure there is a researcher there who will have an idea of where we need to go. Legend has it that the Symbol was in the possession of the Czar and that it was passed down through the generations. During the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Symbol went missing and there have been few rumours of its existence since then. One man claimed that he was a descendent of Nicholas II and that he had possession of the Symbol. By saying that of course, it put him in danger and he was eventually assassinated and it was discovered that he never had the Symbol in his possession at all. So I'm sure the first step is going to be finding someone who might be a descendent of Nicholas II." Angel said.
"I'll get Giles on it. Maybe he as some connections in Russia who might know who that ancestor is."
"Good. Tell Giles that he'll be looking for someone who is most likely a woman."
"Why a woman?" Buffy asked.
"Because the likelihood that a male ancestor survived is rare."
"The Anastasia thing?"
"Kind of; we still have no idea if Anastasia survived or not." Angel commented.
"Okay we'll get on it." Buffy said.
"The only way we are going to be able to talk is like this. They won't let me near a phone." Angel said.
"It doesn't matter; this is ten times better anyway." Buffy commented. Angel laughed.
"Yeah, it is." He replied.
"Angel, the boys really are okay, right?" Buffy asked.
"Yes they are. Tristan is a little quiet but they are fine. Tell Faith that Connor is alive and well."
"She'll be happy to hear that." Buffy said.
"Buffy, we are going to stop the Queen. We always manage to figure out a way to win."
"But what if we don't this time?" Buffy inquired. Angel kissed her head and tightened his grip.
"Not going to happen."
"I love you." Buffy said.
"I love you." Within moments Angel woke up…
"Dad, you're drooling." Connor said. Connor was trying to keep a straight face as he said it but he knew that Angel didn't believe him.
"Bullshit. I don't drool." Angel replied. He sat up and looked over towards Tristan. He was still sitting on the couch in the same position he'd been in when Angel had fallen asleep. I never should have told that story. Angel thought as he watched his son. Sighing, Angel stretched and looked around. It was still dark but he could see lights below, "Has anyone come out to say if we are there yet?"
"Nope but with all the lights we have to be close." Connor replied.
"You'd think. I'm going to find out." Angel said standing and heading towards the cockpit. He knocked on the door and it opened quickly, "I was wondering how much longer this flight is going to be?"
"We will be landing shortly." With that, the door closed. Angel frowned and shrugged as he turned back to Connor.
"I gather we'll be there shortly."
"Fair enough." Connor replied and sat back for what felt like the millionth time in his chair. Tristan stirred and spoke.
"Tell me another story about our grandfather." He said. Angel looked at him and crossed his eye brows.
"Are you sure? I mean the last one was not exactly that great."
"So tell me a good one." Tristan said turning back to his father. Angel sighed. Why all this talk about his father? What was the interest? Angel thought for a moment about a story that he felt made his father seem less than sinister.
"You can't think of one can you?" Tristan asked. The look in Angel's eyes told him that Tristan was fishing for a reason to his "demonic" nature. Tristan was trying to find a genetic reason as to why he could turn on his family and kill his parents. Angel moved towards him and sat next to him. He put a hand on his sons shoulder and turned him to face him.
"Tristan you are not a monster; neither was your grandfather; neither am I. We are normal; we do normal things. You can't expect to understand yourself with stories from a past that no longer exists. Tristan your grandfather might have done some horrible things to me, but back then they were never considered horrible. They were considered normal. What you did…"
"I killed you both. I turned on my family and killed you both because I couldn't stop her from getting to me. I wasn't strong enough to fight her off. I'm weak…"
"You're weak; everybody is; everybody fails. The trick is to get right back up and try again. Just because you fail doesn't mean you can't fix it. Tristan you have the power to do real good, to make amends."
"I'm scared."
"I know you are, son. Everyone is scared of what they don't know and what they can't see. But as a family we'll get through it together." Connor laughed.
"Where did you get that, out of a hallmark card?" Angel scowled at his son and gave him the finger.
"Your step-mother actually," Angel turned back to Tristan and smiled, "She gave me the same speech when I was ready to give up on my own life. Tristan you can be whatever you want to so long as do the best that you can."
"But what he did to you…"
"Tristan my father had his good points too. He only wanted the best for me and I understand that. I didn't then, but I do now. My father encouraged me to be great and do great things. He was supportive in his own way. I believe he was proud of me, just in his own way."
"How do you know?" Tristan asked.
"The night I ran away from my family and decided to leave because I couldn't take his criticism anymore was the first time I realized that maybe he wasn't as mean as I thought he was…
Liam packed his bag as quickly as he could. He couldn't stay here anymore. He'd lost so much already; his father hated him, his mother never looked at him without disappointment on her face. His wife was gone, taken from him because he was a drunken idiot who would never amount to anything. He believed his father's words; he really was worthless. Slamming the bag shut, Liam turned to find Anna standing in the doorway. She had tears in her eyes.
"Please," She begged, "Please don't leave me alone here, not with him." Liam stood in front of her and kissed her forehead.
"I can't stay here any longer. I don't belong here." She grabbed hold of his sleeve and pulled him back.
"Please, take me with you!" She cried. Liam pulled his arm away and slapped her.
"You are our maid. You don't belong with me. No one does." Liam moved away from her as she sank to the ground and sobbed against the wall. Liam stormed through as he heard his father start yelling. Liam tried to ignore him but his voice sounded throughout the small house.
"Liam!" His father yelled, "Liam, you'll do as I say." His father stood behind him as Liam stood before his sister and mother. Running a finger down his sister's cheek, Liam spoke softly so only she could here.
"Sweet Kathy, no tears," Slowly he trailed his finger down his sister's soaked cheek as she stared up at him with wide eyes, "We'll meet again." Liam regarded his mother but said nothing.
"Defy me now you won't." His father said angrily behind him, "As long as I live." Liam turned from his mother and sister to face the man who'd tried to control his life forever. The man who would never be proud of him, ever.
"You'll want to move away from the door now father." Liam said sternly. All he wanted was to leave. He couldn't stand to be in that place for a second longer. He was done with his father; he'd done all that was asked but it was never good enough for the man.
"Go through it, but don't ever expect to come back." His father said, anger dripping off every word. There was something in his father's eyes that Liam couldn't place. Something that said more than his words ever could. It was almost as if, he were in pain somehow.
"As you wish father, always, juts as you wish." Liam replied trying to fight back his own anger and his tears. He'd worshipped this man growing up; he'd wanted nothing more than to be just like him. But his expectations were always so high and Liam couldn't any longer fight to live up to them. There was nothing more that he could do for his father now, so all he wanted was to get away.
"It's a son I wished for! A man, instead God gave me you, a terrible disappointment." Kieran said to him pointblank. Kieran was desperate; he had to find someway to make his son understand to make his son stay. It wasn't safe for him out there; he was lost and confused. He needed to be with his family but the only way Kieran knew to speak to his son was through anger and rage.
"Disappointment?" Liam looked confused. He'd done everything, "A more dutiful son you could have ever asked for. My whole life you told me in word, in glance what it is you've required of me and I've lived down to every expectation now haven't I." Liam was so hurt; how after all this and faced with the loss of his son could his father stand there and say he'd never done anything for him? Liam had to fight even harder to keep his tears at bay; despite everything his father had put him through he loved him. All he'd ever wanted was for him to acknowledge that he loved his son; that he was proud of him. But even now, knowing that Liam was about to walk out of his home and never come back did he say anything remotely resembling pride.
"That's madness." His father responded shaking his head.
"No, the madness is I couldn't fail enough for you." Liam's anger grew as he looked at his father, " Well, we'll fix that now won't we."
"I fear for you lad."His father responded with a quiet yet cautioning tone. Liam felt sick.
"Is that the only thing you can find in your heart for me now father?" His voice nearly broke but holding it together Liam shifted on his feet. A look crossed his father's features; he knew that Liam was serious, that he was leaving.
"Who will take you in, hm, no one." Kieran knew that was a lie but he tried it anyway.
"I'll not lack for a place to sleep I can tell you that, out of my way." Liam moved towards the door and took hold of the handle; his father grabbed his arm and spun him around. Liam stared into the face of his father and searched his eyes one final time. For a moment, pain and sadness flashed in them as Kieran realized that he'd lost his son completely.
"I was never in your way boy." Kieran responded sounding the most sincere Liam had ever heard him in his life. Liam didn't care; it was too late. He wrenched his arm away and fled storming away from his father and away from the life he hated most in the world. Kieran watched helplessly as his son fled; anger mixed with sadness caught in Kieran's voice as he took hold of the door, " If you go causing trouble you're sure to find it!" Kieran yelled as he slammed the door…
It was in that moment when he told me, 'I was never in your way,' that I realized that he really hadn't been. I was in my own way. I was so stuck in the way I was living my life that I didn't know how to change it. I was in charge of my life he was just trying to do what was best by me the best way that he knew how. I wish that I'd figured that out sooner but I didn't, not until I had Connor and then you. Parents do what they can for their children, but it is up to the children to create their own destines. Do you understand?" Angel asked his son. Tristan thought for a moment then nodded.
"I do."
"Good. Now, no more of this my genes make me a killer crap. Because if that were true, the whole world would be behind bars." Angel didn't know what else to say to his son. Sitting back Angel heard the familiar ding of the seatbelt light. The captain's voice sounded over the announcement system stating that they would be landing in minutes and that they were to fasten their seatbelts. The plane landed as the atmosphere in the cabin remained silent. The three O'Connor's departed the plane quickly and found a small man holding up a sign that read 'Angel.' Angel walked up to him and nodded.
"You'd think you would know who I was."
"We were not briefed until this morning." The man said with a thick Russian accent. He turned his back and headed towards the exit.
"What about our bags?" Angel asked.
"They will be waiting for you at the offices." The small man didn't break stride but kept on moving. Angel sighed and together they followed him out of the airport and into the cool air.
--
The limo took them to the St. Petersburg Wolfram & Hart office. Angel was told that they would be meeting with the CEO the next morning and that they were to get some sleep. Upstairs, Connor and Tristan headed straight for a bed while Angel looked around and found several files waiting for him in the living room. Since he'd gotten some sleep on the plane, Angel decided to look through what was left for him in the hopes that he might shed some light on what was expected of him next.
--
"I've got it!" Giles' voice rang out amidst the silence. Buffy, Xander, Willow and Faith looked up from their books as Giles' smile grew even larger, "I believe I've found the last known heir of Nicholas II." Buffy closed her book and went up to her mentor and looked over his shoulder.
"Amelia Anna Romanov."
"Who is she?" Xander asked. Giles put his glasses down and addressed the group.
"She is a well known Russian writer and artist. Apparently she has as part of her personal art collection, which is rumoured to be quiet extensive, are some pieces of Nicholas II's court."
"That doesn't prove that she is a descendent. It might just mean she has a lot of money and that she likes fancy things." Xander offered.
"Not these pieces. She has personal portraits and items that belonged to members of the imperial family. Only an ancestor would be able to get their hands on those items."
"It's still a stretch." Faith replied sitting back down.
"Well its all we've got isn't it?" Giles said.
--
Angel flipped through a file with the portrait of a woman who appeared to be in her late seventies. The file read Amelia Anna Romanov; Angel's eyes widened as he read the material in the file. According to Wolfram & Hart researches, Amelia was thought to be the only living ancestor to Nicholas II, aside from the rumours that his daughter Anastasia was alive. Amelia was a well known artist, writer and art collector who lived in the heart of St. Petersburg. The file contained pictures of the specific pieces that Amelia had of Nicholas' family. Flipping through Angel looked at each picture: several small toys and trinkets, a few hand mirrors, a brush, an old book, a diary, a tiara apparently worn by Nicholas' wife Alix of Hesse, and a small music box with a dancing figurine on the top. None of the images showed the Symbol of Fate, but then again no one really knew what the item looked like. Legend says that the Symbol will only appear to the one who deserves it; Russian folklore says that the only way Anastasia survived the attack on the imperial family was because she had the Symbol in her possession giving her the ability to alter her own fate. Angel flipped back to the picture of the woman and studied her features. He'd been to Russia before, while on his way through to China in 1900, he'd never spent much time learning about Russia's history but if Wolfram & Hart believed that this woman had the Symbol or at the very least knew where it was, he had to follow it.
--
"Do you think Angel knows about her?" Buffy asked.
"I'm sure Wolfram & Hart has done their research." Giles commented.
"So what do we do?" Faith asked pacing the room, "Do we have any Slayers in Russia?" Buffy shook her head.
"We never saw the need for it."
"So we have no contacts in that area?" Faith said voicing what everyone was thinking.
"I know one man there. He's an old friend and one of the few watchers to survive the attack from the First Evil. He might be able to help us or at least get in touch with Angel." Giles stood and walked towards the single phone that sat next to Willow's computer.
"Do you think he'll help us?" Buffy asked.
"I'm not sure. He was never a friendly man. When his Slayer died he became even more of a recluse." Giles dialed the number and waited for an answer. The phone picked up and then was dropped ringing in Giles' ear. He heard a man curse and then waited as it was answer.
"This had better be good." A gruff voice came over the other end of the phone.
"I'm sure you'll be interested."
"If it has anything to do with you and your kind, no I'm not." Giles could hear the phone being set down and he yelled.
"Wait! Kristopher! Please, I need your help." Giles held his breath hoping that Kristopher wouldn't hang up the phone. He heard a heavy sigh and then the voice was back.
"Rupert, you know I don't want anything to do with your new council. You already asked me once."
"That is not what this is about."
"What is it about then, you old water dog?" Kristopher asked.
"It's about the Symbol of Fate." There was silence on the other end.
--
Angel picked up the next file and flipped it open. The man staring back at him was Kristopher Milton. He was an ex-watcher who'd survived the attacks from the First Evil. Milton had lived in England most of his life where he helped to train the Slayer from 1980 to her death in 1988. The file stated that Milton treated his Slayer like his dead daughter which concerned the council. When his Slayer was killed by a gang of vampires in 1988, Milton tried to get assigned to the next Slayer and when he was denied he started to go vigilante killing demons and vampires on his own. The council tried to make him see reason but Milton was too far gone. Eventually, they fired him and he left England in pursuit of the vampires who'd killed his Slayer and his daughter years before. His travels took him to St. Petersburg where he finally caught up with the demons and killed most of them, but not before they'd left him with a permanent reminder of who he'd been hunting. Milton had been paralyzed from the waist down; they'd left him for dead instead of killing him in the hopes that he would remember that he was just a watcher, not a Slayer. Milton had survived of course and remained in St. Petersburg ever since. In 2003, he'd been attacked, like most watchers, because of the First Evil. He was lucky he had taken to living with magic guarding his home or he would have been killed. Angel flipped through more of the pages in the file settling on the picture of his Slayer, Cassandra Glass. She was a beautiful young woman who had died too soon. Of course, that was the way with all Slayers. What was interesting about Milton was his obsession with the Symbol of Fate and Nicholas' family. Wolfram & Hart's researched showed that Milton, after the death of his Slayer, had hoped to find it to reverse what had happened to her and to his daughter. He'd become so obsessed with the Symbol that eventually he wanted nothing to do with the human world and everything to do with the world Fate. According to the file, he'd even gone in search of the Three Fates at one point. Before seeing Amelia, Angel would have to have a chat with this Milton even if it meant breaking down his door and sending his sons in after him.
--
"What do you want with the Symbol?" Milton asked.
"Nothing. Wolfram & Hart wants it, you've heard of them I assume." Giles inquired knowing full well that Milton knew who they were. The vampires who'd killed his Slayer had worked for them.
"Sure I know them. The scum bags, set up shop here in St. Petersburg finally, I knew it was only a matter of time." Milton sounded callous.
"Well, they have kidnapped a friend of ours in the hopes that he'll be able to find the Symbol and bring it back to them."
"What would they want with an object like that? They are pretty much in control of the world; they would have no use for it."
"We believe they plan to give it to the Queen of the Beholders. Have you heard of her?" Giles asked.
"Only what I've read in books. She's a myth."
"Oh no, she's very real."
"You always believed in the most obscure things Rupert." Milton commented.
"Kristopher, our friend is my Slayer's husband. We can't get in touch with him to tell him what we've learned, please, I need you to get in touch with him; to find him; to help him in any way that you can. I'm sure Wolfram & Hart knows about you, they'll probably send him to you. Please, you need to help him find the Symbol."
"And what if I don't want to help you?" The pain in Milton's voice was evident.
"You will because it's for the Slayer and you have a weak spot for her."
"Rumour has it there are millions of Slayers now thanks to your Buffy Summers." Milton said sternly. Giles waited. He knew that Milton was breaking down, he knew that he would help.
"Oh, alright. I'll help. But I'm not leaving the comfort of my own home for this man. He has to come to me."
"I'm sure he will."
"Is there a message you want me to give him? If he shows up I mean." Milton asked.
"Tell him we are doing everything we can to locate the Fates." Giles replied.
"Good luck. I've spent a lot of my life searching for those ladies and believe me they are a lot harder to find then you might think."
"I believe that they were attacked by the Queen and one of their sisters is dying. I think the Fates have become human to ensure their safety." Giles said knowing that Milton would be interested.
"Smart girls. Where are they?" He asked curiosity getting the better of him.
"I believe they are in New York City."
"Why there?"
"Because that is where Buffy and Angel were, of course they are now in Ireland but the Fates would have no means of tracking them as humans." Giles said.
"Angel? Angelus you mean? Well you do keep interesting company now don't you Rupert."
"He's a good man now…"
"I know, cursed with a soul…I've read everything on him."
"Well, he'll be the one coming to see you, so be nice to him." Giles said.
"I still can't believe you allowed your Slayer to fall in love with a vampire." Milton said.
"How would you have known anything, you'd already been fired by then."
"I had my ways. If that's all you old man, I'd like to go to bed." The phone disconnected and the dial tone sounded in Giles' ear. Buffy arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
"He sounds like a charmer." Buffy said to him. Giles smiled and hung up the phone. Milton may be a grumpy old man but he was the best option Angel had.
