-Hyperion - Sunrise-
Spike was just sneaking in at sunrise from his late night out until a voice scared him into a fight stance, "Where is it you go at nights SPike?"
Spike looked at the red head sipping a cup of tea and snuggled into a corner on the couch. He smiled and walked towards her, "Everyone needs out once in a while Red."
"So, you're not going to tell me then?"
Spike shook his head and leaned on the couch, "Not a chance." After a brief silence and a small smile from Willow dissappeared he sighed, "So, how come you aren't sleeping upstairs with your girl?"
Willow sipped her tea, "I'm not at home. Plus being Buffy's best friend gives you a reason to stay up all night thinking."
Spike smiled, "I know what you mean luv, but sleeping would also be a good thing in the world of Buffy because there's a few nights you don't get to sleep at all."
Willow nodded, "You get used to it."
Spike nodded and looked around, "You the only one up?"
Willow nodded, "Connor get's up and wanders around every so often, you know where Angel is and I've been here for a few hours."
He saw Willow yawn after that and smiled, "Come on Red, you should get some sleep. Plus your tea is empty."
Willow curled intot he couch and closed her eyes, "Maybe you're right, you're always right."
Only a small smile appeared as she slowly drifted off to sleep, the mug still in her hand. Spike smiled and then made his way into the kitchen for a morning snack. When he got back his mug was half empty and Willow seemed deep in sleep finally. He put his mug down and then removed her mug from her hand and put it on the coffee table. Spike then scooped up the witch like a baby and began to carry her up to her room.
Willow mumbled in her sleep, "You're always taking care of us Sunnydale woman."
Spike smiled, "It's what I do."
Willow whispered a soft thank you and they made thier way upstairs and into Willow and Tara's room. Connor walked out from one of the hallways and watched them walk up the stairs. Spike was still a mystery to him and didn't really know what to think. Buffy had cleared up a little about his father but then came along this other vampire in her life, another vampire with a soul. So far the soul does actually make a difference, especially now that he just saw what he did for Willow but he didn't know if that was just a show or if it was for real. He smiled as he anticipated another soap opera education talk with his Buffy!
-Hospital - Sometime Later In The Morning-
Angel had woken hours ago but he wouldn't miss a chance just to lie in a bed and watch his lover sleep so that's what he did. Even as the sun irritated him through the blinds he lay still and watched his slayer as she twitched and dreamt. Her whole life was a mystery to him and she was so fragile as a result of it. He loved moments like these though, where everything seemed simple and not as dramatic as things really were. Her eyes started to twitch and a smile appeared on his face as it always did when Buffy realized he had done the romantic thing and watched her sleep. They said nothing, silence was the best conversation because nothing wrong could be said. They stayed in this silent halt in time until a nurse walked into the room. She stared at Angel knowing visiting hours hadn't begun yet but shook it off at the condition Buffy was in; The nurse even knew she needed someone.
She was about to open the curtains for Buffy when both her and Angel screamed no. The nurse jumped back, "I'm sorry, I just thought you'd enjoy the sunlight."
Buffy calmed down, "Thanks for trying but I like this more."
The nurse understood and walked over to the bed, "Okay whatever you want. My names Jan and you call if you need anything."
Buffy nodded and they said thier thanks before the nurse left as quickly as she had entered. Buffy then looked up at Angel who's face was staring down at hers, "How are you going to get home?"
Angel smiled, "Who says I need to go home so soon?"
Buffy smiled and let out a grateful sigh as she lay back already closing her eyes again, "I miss this."
Angel wrapped one of her hands in his and then started brushing her hair out of her face to behind her ears, "I miss you too."
"You remember how we'd just lay on the floor of the mansion in front of the fireplace. There was no world but ours."
Angel smiled at her groggy state and smiled, "Of course."
Buffy opened her eyes though and with a desperate plea in every word she spoke she looked him in his eyes, "Don't let this moment end."
Angel noticed and couldn't dissappoint her so he kissed the top of her head and let out one of his half smiles, "Never. Now sleep, you could use the rest."
Buffy nodded and curled right back into the arms of her lover. Angel's mind on the other hand was racing for reasons not to just pick this girl up in his arms and take her away from this world.
-Hospital - Sometime in the Afternoon-
Buffy had woke up some time ago but again her and Angel just enjoyed each other's comapny. They had small talk conversation full of memories and what had been going on these past few years, well that was until the nurse showed up to drop off Buffy's lunch. When she left Buffy looked over to Angel, "If it hurts to talk how the hell am I supossed to eat?"
Angel smiled, "You need to try Buffy, please."
It was her turn to read the desperate plea in his eyes and of course gave in. Angel slowly got off the bed and sat at the end behind the tray to feed her as she slowly sat up against the pillows. Once Buffy could eat all that her pain tolerance would allow her to she laid back on the bed. Angel moved the tray and was about to walk back and take his rightful place next to her when the door swung open. Connor, Willow, Tara, Cordy, Gunn, and Fred walked in all at once. Connor walked directly in front of Angel and hugged her. She winced at his sudden closeness and he backed away rapidly.
Buffy smiled and grabbed his hand, "No worries Connor, I'm fine."
Connor looked over at Angel who had somehow been pushed back to the door, "I can see that."
Buffy looked back at Angel, "I had good company."
Willow giggled, "We all can see that."
After everyone's smile Buffy looked over at everybody, "Spike crashed out?"
Tara smiled, "He got in late ... or early."
Buffy smiled, "Just like Spike."
An awkward silence spread through the room until Fred spoke up in a very soft voice, "So... what now?"
Buffy and Angel eyed eachother through all thier friends as they realized that whole night was over, reality was back and it was time to move on. Buffy sighed and Angel did the actual moving on, "So, what are we going to do about lilah?"
Buffy seemed to already have an answer, "I need to talk to Wesley."
Angel shook his head, "We can take care of this without getting him involved."
The slayer ignored his suggestion, "We need him, he's our link to her."
Angel looked a little angry now and leaned against the door, "Do you know what he did? How could you..."
Buffy interrupted him instantly, "I need him. With him we can take care of this in less then a day."
Willow intervened so the argument wouldn't progress, "What's your plan?"
Buffy tried to shrug, "I sent Spike to tell Wesley what happened to me so he'll probably be by for a visit later on in the day." She looked Directly at Connor and than her eyes lingered on Angel as she spoke, "Everybody will be civil or you can all leave this to me."
Connor finally spoke up about the issue he and Buffy had yet to talk about, "I don't want him here." His words even shocked Buffy as everyone went silent. He then somewhat explained his statement, "You couldn't possibly understand what it feels like."
Buffy looked him in the eye with actual anger, "You couldn't possibly understand what it feels like to be in his position."
Angel and Willow glanced at each other for a few seconds as they both finally understood why Buffy was so eager to forgive Wesley. Connor on the hand let the fact she had been responsible for sending someone important in her life to hell slip his mind and continued on his stern path, "It doesn't matter what he feels like, he shouldn't be allowed to feel anymore."
Gunn grabbed Fred's hand, "We're just going to get something to eat."
Tara followed them out as Buffy completely ignored them and continued, "Maybe you're right." Buffy escalated her voice and it even sounded painful as her voice got raspy and whispery but yelled through it anyway, "He may have caused a lot of suffering especially to you but things worked out okay. Believe me, nobody could hate him more then he hates himself right now."
Connor was about to retaliate when Willow once again had to stop the argument, "You guys are going to stop right now." She looked directly at Buffy, "You are not in the state right now to have an argument." Buffy nodded and looked away from Connor as Willow looked directly at him and continued, "Like it or not she's got a plan and niether of you have to like it because it's her problem to solve. Now if you aren't going to try to understand where her feelings for Wesley come from then you shouldn't be allowed to be a part of her world right now. So, can you boys handle being here and being a part of the solution or am I going to have to kick you guys out for being a part of the problem?"
Willow squeezed Buffy's hand and she only squeezed back a went to go grab her other one but she moved it and looked directly into his eyes, "Do you even listen when I give you speeches all day? All I've been telling you about is how important moving on is and how important forgiveness is."
"Do you have any idea what it's like growing up in hell? Huh? Any idea at all?"
Buffy shrugged, "I was there for a good hour or two which wa slike half the summer. Now do you have any idea what it's like to be responsible for sending someone you love to hell? When you are or think you are doing the right thing and it ends up ruining somebody you love it hurts more then you're ever going to understand."
Connor was taken back as he finally remembered Buffy's conversation with him about the year Angel went to hell. Connor glanced at Angel and realized another thing that they had in common; the visit to hell. He then glanced back at buffy and calmed a little bit down, "It was different with you. You were trying to save the world..."
"And Wesley was trying to make sure that your dad wouldn't kill you later and he got played by your partner in crime Justine. It always seems different when it's personal."
Angel who had gotten really uncomfortable throughout the whole conversation finally added his two cents, "So, we let him work with us, how's he supossed to help?"
Buffy sighed and looked right at him, "He's my link to lilah. the second I'm well enough to walk I'll set up a meeting and go see her. She won't kill me herself so I'll make her think it's a meeting with Wesley like I tried to do before I got my ribs smashed in. I'll talk to her, we'll work something out and we'll go from there."
Willow smiled down at her best friend, "Take it easy Buffy, it doesn't have to be today."
"Just a little worked up."
Willow looked up towards Angel and then Connor, "I wonder why."
Buffy smiled and looked at Connor. She loved him more then the world but she just couldn't look at him right now. She didn't know if it was because he wouldn't listen or because it sounded as if he hated the person she was with how she was talking about Wesley but either way she wanted him gone. "Do you think you could go get me some water please?"
Connor walked off already guilty. When he was gone Angel's eyes looked over the slayer with sympathy, "You know it's always more painful when it's personal Buffy."
Buffy nodded but didn't forget his unforgiving heart either, "You would know wouldn't you." Before Angel had a chance to defend himself she kept going, "Can you do me a favor?"
Angel shook his head, "You can't just get rid of me with a lame excuse too."
"I was going to ask you to talk to your son. Maybe you can convince him that wishing your once best friend dead isn' the answer anymore. Maybe you'll begin to believe it."
Angel walked over to lean on the edge of the bed close to Buffy, "What makes you think he'll believe me?"
"He'll listen Angel, I promise."
Angel grabbed Buffy's hand and kissed her hand, "We'll see... unless the sun burns me out first."
Buffy realized that, "Oh, be careful."
He nodded and soon walked out the door. Willow glared at Buffy, "If you don't stop talking for a while and work to get better I'm going to put a magical lock on that door so nobidy can come through. You hear me?"
"Yes ma..."
Willow held up her finger to Buffy's mouth, "What did I just say." Buffy smiled and held Willow's hand as she tried to drift off to sleep once more.
-Waiting Room-
Angel walked into the waiting room to see Connor sitting on a chair staring at the bottle he had got for Buffy. Angel sat next to Connor and an awkward silence swept over them. Angel even began to twitch and move around in his chair. Connor couldn't take it anymore so he smiled, "Buffy sent you out to talk to me huh?" Angel nodded and Connor shrugged it off, "I don't know why she sent you. You hate him almost as much as I do."
Angel shook his head, "I don't know Connor." That caused his son to dart a deadly gaze right at Angel but he just kept going, "Don't get me wrong, what he did was cause for me to almost kill him while he was in the hospital but I'm glad I didn't. Killing anything with a soul stings Connor, you should know that."
He nodded, "It's just... If he hadn't of been played or kidnapped me things would be so different, I just... he stole my life. At least when Buffy sent you to hell you didn't have a lot to lose because you were already living forever and didn't actually have a life to steal."
Every second word of that sentence felt like a subconscious blow at him but Angel ignored it, "I guess."
Connor finally looked his father in the eyes though for the first time, "Why'd you forgive her?"
Angel took a deep un-needed breath and thought about his answer for a few seconds, "I love that woman more then anything Connor. She's my everything! She's hurt me more then anyone could actually hurt me but I knew she was doing the right thing. The world wouldn't be here right now if she hadn't of done what she did."
Connor half smiled, "You know when we used to talk about you she'd always talk about how you never really liked to talk but when you did it would be worth listening to."
Angel felt suddenly uncomfortable again, "You guys always talk about me?"
Connor was suddenly weak and he couldn't help it as he continued this conversation, "Before I was born she made me curious about everything. If you could talk to someone about what the world is like before you were born would you ask about your parents?"
Angel smiled, "Right."
"Plus she's been on a real speech fest with me lately."
"What's she on about?"
"You mostly. Let's just say if it weren't for her going on with stories and lessons we wouldn't be having this conversation without one fo us throwing a punch."
Angel smiled, "I'm glad she's doing what's she doing though."
Connor nodded and quickly changed the subject before he got more uncomfortable, "You know I really hurt her."
Angel smiled, "The amazing thing about that woman in that room is she understands everything. There's not one thing in the world that she won't understand. Plus she loves you so much, believe me I know. All you got to do is apologize."
"That's not it Angel, I was supossed to be that guy that never hurts her, she just hit a spot and it triggered something."
Angel smiled, "There's no one in the world who knows that feeling more then I do. The last thing any of us want to do is hurt her but we end up doing it either way. Pain is inevitable Connor, but misery is optional."
Connor smiled, "So we're already at the speeches part of our relationship huh?"
Angel nodded, "It's a thing us heroes learn."
"Buffy said I was going to be a hero when I was born, she said that I was going to be a miracle, that I was going to be special and that I was going to be great. I guess I got a lot to learn."
Angel stood up, "You got all the potential in the world Connor and I believe you can be every single one fo those things. Come on you have my DNA and you were taught by a slayer how to fight. What more do you need?"
"The moral stuff she's always on about."
Angel nodded, "Right. I think the only important morals are the world always comes first no matter what, you can't kill innocent people and you have to learn to not hold grudges. Now Buffy's got them all down which takes a strength I can't imagine, I have two of them down and I think I'm learning that last one."
With a smile Connor stood up to, "Personally I don't think I have any of them down but that last one could be a first."
"So, you'll try then? You'll let Wesley be a part of this, and you'll be civil?"
Connor nodded slowly, "If you can do it, I can do it."
"I don't know if I can do it."
Connor smiled, "Well if I can do it you can do it."
Angel nodded, "So uh grab her water and let's go see our slayer."
"We can tell her we made progress."
They both had a small smile as they made thier way back to Buffy's room one step closer to father/son.
-Wolfram And Hart-
Gavin stalked into Lilah's office with an angry look on his face, "You weren't even going to let anyone else know the all famous slayer is back in town?"
Lilah smiled at he looked up from her desk, "I took care of it last night."
Gavin put on his sarcastic smile, "Then how come we placed Angel at a hospital last night where a Buffy Summers just happens tp be staying."
"Well did I really expect her to die? I don't think so. I'm just having fun with her."
"It's not just your problem. The senior partners want her in L.A. as long as possible, well until they figure out what they want done with her. And just for the record they are very angry."
Lilah smiled and stood so she could walk around her desk to sit on it right in front of gavin, "So I guess you should probably tell them that I've contacted Lyndsey too, he'd want to know."
Gavin shook his head very rapidly, "That's not possible. If the senior partners can't locate him with our magics..."
Lilah smiled, "They haven't tried the human trail. I don't even actually know where he is but I found someone who does."
Gavin sighed while walking back to the door, no doubt to reveal the new information to the senior partners, "You really don't care what happens to you now? Looks like withdrawl from your extra cirricular activities."
He left without another word and Lilah turned back to sit back on her chair obviously aggitated at the last low remark about her sex-life with Wesley. A smile was put on her face though when she realized that Gavin had just told her that buffy was in a hospital and alive. Despite the Wesley dissappointment she found pleasure in the games that were just about to begin.