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The Curse Sequel
Chapter 4/?
Angel awakens when he senses Liena close. Getting out of bed quickly the dark haired vampire opens the door and is stunned by the sight of his daughter crying. "Liena? Sweetheart? What's wrong?" he asks softly
Liena slowly walks into the mansion her eyes glued to the floor as she cries.
Angel walks closer to her. As he does he catches the musk of sex. To add to his shock he smells the familiar scent of Spike. "Whats wrong little one?" he asks softly
Liena looks up at her father her eyes filled with tears. "Papa" she says childishly
Shocked yet overjoyed at being called 'Papa' Angel gently touches her face. "Shh its ok."
Liena starts sobbing as she slowly falls to the floor. "I miss him Papa" she rocks back and forth.
Angel sits beside her and pulls her onto his lap as he holds her. "Its OK little one" he soothes in Gaelic as he strokes her back. Angel holds her until her cries stop. When she does he picks her up and carries her over to the couch. Putting her down Angel wraps the blanket around her shoulders. "Do you want some tea?" he asks her. Seeing her slight nod he goes into the kitchen to make the tea. He watches Liena stare at the wall lost in her thoughts. Hearing the tea kettle Angel pours the water into the mugs. Carrying them into the living room he hands one to Liena. Settling beside her on the couch he watches her silently. After a few moments he asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Liena doesn't make a movement or sound other than to take a sip of tea. After a few moments she begins to sob. Angel takes the mug from her then wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her closer. "I miss him Papa." she slips into her childhood language Gaelic.
"I know sweetheart" Angel whispers in response in Gaelic kissing her head. "I know"
Liena still crying manages to choke out. "I can't do this Papa. I need Luca"
Stroking her back calmingly Angel soothes her by purring and using comforting words his mom had used when he was a child. "Shh little one. Everything will be fine." he starts to hum a Irish nursery tune. Soon Angel realizes that she's asleep in his arms. Not wanting to move her yet he sits there holding her. After awhile he begins to talk to her sleeping form in Gaelic. "I know you miss him little one. I promise that everything will be better." Angel hears the front door open and close. He sits there stroking her hair. Looking up he sees Buffy enter.
"Ang..." she sees Angel put his finger to his lips. Buffy momentarily feels jealous that Angel is holding his daughter. Not their daughter..
"I'm going to go put her down" he says holding her close he carries her into his bedroom. Angel puts her down and carefully takes off her shoes. As he pulls the blanket up to her chin he sits on the edge of his bed and watches her. Gently he moves a lock of hair out of her face.
From the doorway Buffy watches Angel. Sensing her lover's sadness she enters the room and goes to his side. "Angel" she whispers putting her hands on his shoulders.
Angel stands up and takes Buffy's hand and the two quietly head to the couch. With Buffy curled up at his side Angel stares into space.
"Angel?" Buffy calls tentatively. Not getting a response she straddles his legs and puts her hands on his cheeks forcing him to look at her. "Angel talk to me" she orders
"I don't know what to do Buffy." he kisses her hand. "She's in some much pain. In a way I feel like its all my fault."
"But its not" Buffy insists
"God I wish I could totally believe that" he sighs. "But I feel like if I had swallowed my pride and fear and went to look for Cass then she wouldn't be feeling this much pain"
"Angel its the past. Your daughter needs you now."
"What am I supposed to do Buffy?" he questions angrily. His face shifting to demon form and back. He looks away from Buffy ashamed of his demon form.
Buffy forces him to look back at her. "Angel she just needs you to be there for her. Like you were there for me after I killed the Master. She needs you to listen, and talk, even fight with her. She needs you" Buffy curls up against his chest.
"I know Buffy. Its just...." he trails off
"She's your daughter and you hurt for her"
"Yeah" Angel agrees stroking her hair. "Buffy?"
"Hmm?"
"Does it bother you? That Liena's my daughter"
Buffy is silent for a moment. "Not really. I'm happy that you found a family member. I'm just still surprised that the family member is your child."
"You think you were surprised" Angel chuckles. He senses that Buffy is holding back. Tipping her chin so she's looking at him. "Buffy your keeping something back. I can tell"
"I don't know' she sighs snuggling against his chest. "I guess this whole thing just reminds me of the conversation we had about the whole future thing."
"The having kids one?" he asks softly stroking her neck
"Yeah." she lays there silently. "Angel do you ever think about it?"
"What? Us having kids?"
"Yeah"
"A couple times" he admits. "You?"
"Yeah."
"Too bad it isn't possible" Angel sighs regretfully
Buffy looks at him sternly. "As Willow would say anythings possible living on the Hellmouth." she frowns, "Well it would be if we didn't have to worry about the soul lossage thing."
"Yeah that too" Angel agrees. The two stay there on the couch thinking. They are broken out of their thoughts by a scream coming from Angel's bedroom.
Liena is walking through a darkened hallway. Her heart pounding she listens carefully for sounds of other people. Soon she notices a light ahead of her. Curious she walks towards it. On the other side she is stunned to find a recreation of the Bronze. She then sees the scene change to the fight. Scared she is unable to stop herself from watching the whole scene unfold. Her eyes are drawn to herself. She watches as she flies across the room hitting the wall. She watches as Luca comes to protect her from Kurlec and the knife. She watches horrified as the knife enters Luca's side. "NO" she screams as Luca falls to the floor blood pooling around his body. "No Luca" she cries terrified. The scene starts to play over again.
"Liena" a voice calls insistantly shaking her
Liena tries to avoid the replay but it keeps going. "No," she whimpers. "Stop it"she screams. She awakens to Angel beside her on the bed shaking her. She pulls away from him her body feeling like its on fire at his touch. Wrapping her arms around her knees. "Make it stop" she whimpers placing her hands over her ears.
Angel glances over at Buffy who nods at him in comfort. Angel puts a hand on her arm. "Liena its OK" he soothes
"No its not Papa" she whimpers jerking away from his touch. "Don't" she whispers painfully. She moves to the corner next to the bed.
Uncertain of what to do Angel looks at Buffy. Buffy walks over to him. "She needs you. Don't stop now" she turns and leaves father and daughter alone.
Taking an unneeded breath Angel sits infront of Liena careful to not touch her. "I'm right here little one" he whispers. After a few minutes of silence Angel tries again. "Please talk to me"
Liena looks at him her eyes filled with tears. "Papa" she pleads hesitantly
"I'm here" Angel says carefully he touches her cheek to wipe away a tear. "I'm here little one" he whispers. After a few moments Angel sensing her hesitantancy of asking for comfort. "Come here" he says softly as he gently pulls her into his arms. "Shh sweetheart its OK" he whispers as he rocks her
"It hurts Papa" she whimpers
"I know sweetheart." Angel continues to hold her. Looking up Angel sees Buffy standing in the bedroom doorway watching them concern showing in her eyes. He also notices a glimmer of sadness.
Buffy watches as her lover comforts his daughter. When Angel looks up at her she sees the pain, sadness, concern, love, and fear in his brown eyes. She glimpses need. Slowly she walks towards the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed she gently stroking his hair. Angel looks at her for a moment mouthing 'I love you'. Buffy smiles at him. The three remain where they are for a while. Finally Angel realizes that Liena has fallen asleep again. Standing Angel places Liena back in his bed. Quietly Angel and Buffy leave the room. Closing the door behind him Angel leans wearily against it. Buffy realizes that Angel looks tired. "Baby did you sleep at all today?" she asks
Angel shrugs. "A little."
"How little?"
"A couple hours" he admits rubbing his eyes
Buffy takes his hand and leads him to the couch. Angel and Buffy sit down. "Take a nap" she orders pulling Angel down his head in her lap. Stroking his face gently she leans down and kisses him briefly.
"I can't" Angel protests
"You can and you will" Buffy orders. "I'll stay here until you wake up." Buffy leans over the armrest and pulls out her book. "I'll study" Seeing Angel is still going to protest. "I said sleep Mr. Or I'll have to stake you" she smiles
"I love you Buff" Angel murmers sleepily
"I know" she slowly strokes his hair as she reads. Buffy sits there reading and stroking Angel's hair as he sleeps.
Back in the bedroom Liena awakens. She senses Angel and Buffy nearby. Needing to get away yet not wanting to leave without at least leaving a note. Quietly she opens the bedstand drawer where she finds some paper and a pen. First she writes a brief note to Methos.
"Dear Methos,
I had to get away from here and do some thinking. I feel like I'm losing control here. Don't worry I'll be fine. Just take care of everything for me. I'll keep in touch.
Love, Katherine Liena"
She puts the pen down and looks over the note. Then she decides to add:
"PS I want you to pack up up some of the things in the house and rent it out. I don't want to sell it yet I'm not ready to live in it."
Next she writes to Angel.
"Angel,
My life is unraveling I need to get away for a while. I feel like I'm about to lose control. My whole life has been spent finding out my past. Now that I have found part of it I feel like I'm not anchored anymore. I need to find my anchor find my control. Don't worry about me I'll be OK. I'll let you know how I am. Papa I know you feel guilty about everything that has happened to me and to others, you aren't Papa. Never feel guilty. I never faulted you for anything. You shouldn't either. There is something I want you to read. Tell Methos to give you the lock box under my bed. Read them Papa. Tell everyone I said goodbye and thank you for everything.
Love, Katherine Liena"
Liena addresses a quick note to Drusilla and Spike.
"Dru, Spike
Thanks for everything
Bye, Katherine Liena"
Last she writes a letter for Buffy.
"Buffy,
I know all of this has been hard on you. Just remember he loves you. Never forget it no matter how bad things go in your relationship. He loves you and wants the best for you. Keep him from brooding too much over things he reads in my journals. Buffy I know this is an unusual request but I would like you to read them also. He'll need someone to talk with and I think your the best one for the job. Take care of him and yourself.
Thanks, Katherine Liena"
Liena places the letters on the nightstand where they can be found. Quietly she puts on her shoes and carefully walks across the floor to the window. Silently she opens the window and crawls out the window careful to keep the curtains shut. Once outside Liena looks up at the mansion and whispers sadly. "Goodbye Papa" She quickly leaves the mansion grounds heading out of Sunnydale.
Angel slowly awakens to find Buffy stroking his hair gently as she reads. He watches her for a little bit.
Buffy notices he's awake. Smiling she puts her book down. "Hey baby" she greets with a grin
"How long was I out?" he asks
"About an hour" she answers leaning down she kisses him tenderly. "Feel better?" she asks
"Yeah" he answers with a smile as he kisses her back. He extends his senses and frowns in concern.
Buffy notices the looks on his face. "Whats wrong?"
"Has Liena gotten up?" he asks. When Buffy shakes her head Angel gets up. Walking to his bedroom door he opens it quietly. Frowning he finds the bed empty. Looking around he calls out, "Liena?" He then notices the papers on the nightstand. Fearful he walks over and picks up the one addressed to him. Sitting on the edge of the bed he silently reads it then stares at the wall sadly.
Buffy enters and sees him staring at the wall. She sees the sadness and pain reflecting from his eyes. "Angel?" she asks softly.
"She's gone" he whispers
"Why?" Buffy asks sitting beside her lover
"She...uh" Angel pauses, "needs time to find control" he hands her the note
Buffy reads it. "Oh Angel" she says sadly as she hugs his neck.
Angel silently shuffles through the remaining letters and finds the letter addressed to Buffy. "This one is addressed to you" he hands it to her
Surprised Buffy takes the letters. Opening it she reads it aloud:
"Buffy,
I know all of this has been hard on you. Just remember he loves you. Never forget it no matter how bad things go in your relationship. He loves you and wants the best for you. Keep him from brooding too much over things he reads in my journals. Buffy I know this is an unusual request but I would like you to read them also. He'll need someone to talk with and I think your the best one for the job. Take care of him and yourself.
Thanks, Katherine Liena"
Buffy puts the letter down and takes Angel's hand. "She'll be back baby"
"Maybe" Angel sighs
"She will" Buffy says firmly. "You are her father she wants to know you. She just needs time" Buffy frowns when she notices the letter addressed to Dru and Spike. "I thought she hated Spike"
Angel looks down at the letter. "Something happened between them" he sighs
Buffy frowns. "What could have happ..." she trails off. "Oh" She says with sudden realization. "You mean she slept with Spike?!" she says surprised
Angel nods. He stands up "We better go give this letter to Methos"
"What about the one to Spike and Dru?" Buffy asks
Angel looks at the letter in his hand addressed to his favorite childe. "I'll take it to them myself" Angel grabs his jacket from the closet. "I'll deal with Spike" he growls
****15 minutes later****
Buffy and Angel reach the Liena's house. Knocking they wait for Methos to open the door.
"Buffy, Angel" Methos greets opening the door
Buffy and Angel enter. "Methos Liena has disappeared" Angel says sadly handing Methos the letter
Methos takes it. Opening it he reads it. Sighing he leads them into the living room. They sit down. "Angel you don't need to worry about her. She'll be OK. She just needs time."
"Methos do you have any idea where she could be?" Angel asks worried
Methos shakes his head. "I'm sorry but no. Liena is good at blending in. We won't be able to find her unless she wants us too" he rubs his temples
"So what are we supposed to do?" Angel growls angrily pacing
Buffy stands up and puts a restraining hand on his arm. "Angel she'll be back"
"I'll go get the box" Methos says. Getting up he goes into Liena and Luca's bedroom. Under the bed he finds the locked box Liena told him to give Angel. He returns to the living room. "Here it is" he says handing the locked box to Angel.
Angel takes the box and looks sadly at Methos. "Do you think she'll be OK?" he asks
"Angel she hasn't lived this long to give up now. She just needs time"
Angel nods. "Thank you Methos" he says "For everything you've done for her"
Methos smiles sadly. "She's like the child I'll never have. She is one of the reasons I haven't committed Immortal suicide."
Angel nods "If you talk to her"
"I'll tell her to call you" Methos promises
"Methos when are you leaving?" Buffy asks
Methos looks around. "After I get some of this packed up and talk with a Realtor. I'm thinking day after tomorrow"
"You better keep in touch" Buffy smiles, "Besides Angel poor Giles has no one to talk history with"
After a few minutes Buffy and Angel say goodbye to Methos. As they walk to the school library Buffy asks, "Are you going to patrol with me?"
"No. I need to go speak with Spike" Angel says
"Don't stake him" Buffy says
"Why not?"
"Because I want to" Buffy pouts
Seeing the pout on her face Angel hugs her. "I won't stake him baby. I'm going to take him the letter." Angel lets her go and they continue walking to the library. Once outside the door Angel stops Buffy, "I love you Buffy"
"I know Angel. Everything will be all right" she smiles kissing him. The two walk in to find everyone sitting at the table talking.
"Hey Deadboy" Xander greets
Angel growls low. "Don't call me that Harris"
"So Soulboy where's your kid?" Faith asks
"She left town." Angel answers.
"Why?" asks Willow
"She needed time to think" Buffy answers
"She wanted me to thank you for her" Angel informs them
"I'm sorry Angel" Willow says
"So am I" Giles adds. Everyone says the same but Xander. They all look at Xander.
"What?" he demands
Angel shakes his head. Looking down at Buffy he says, "See you later" he kisses the top of her head then leaves the school. Angel heads to the mansion to drop off the lock box. After that he heads to the factory entering he senses Spike.
"Hey Peaches" Spike greets from the bedroom doorway
"Spike" Angel growls
"Whats wrong Peaches? The Slayer not making you happy?" Spike smirks
Angel ignores the dig. "I came to drop something off" he puts the note on the table. Looking past his childe Angel quietly tells him the news. "Liena's gone. She left this for you and Dru."
Spike looks at his sire surprised. "Sorry Angel" he says truthfully. Angel nods. "Maybe this will cheer you up Peaches. Dru and me are leaving Sunnyhell"
"I'd say I'd miss you but it would be a lie" Angel leaves the factory and returns to the mansion
Spike stares at the wall as he thinks about Liena. "she was so warm and wet. She tasted so sweet" he growls at the memory of Liena naked before him. "Dru" he yells stomping off he goes in search of his Black Goddess.
Chapter 5/?
Liena reaches the outskirts of Sunnydale when a car pulls to the side of the road. "Hey you want a ride?" the driver asks.
"Where are you heading?" she asks
"LA" the driver answers
"Sure" Liena says opening the passenger door. Getting in she sees a grandfatherly looking man. Sensing he's not a vampire she says "Thank you"
"Its dangerous out here at night" he says pulling away from the edge of the road.
"I know" Liena replies
"Do your parents know your out this late?"
"I don't know my parents" she answers staring out the window
"I'm sorry to pry child" he apologizes
"Its all right. I don't mind"
"So whats your name?" he questions curiously
"Kat" Liena answers
"My names Marvin"
"Nice to meet you Marvin"
"So where are you heading Kat?"
"I'm not sure. Anywhere" she replies sadly
"Ahh you have a traveling spirit"
"I guess. It's how I live" she glances at him the back out the window. She closes her eyes momentarily and sees Luca's face flash in her mind. "Not now" her mind cries.
"So where have you been?" Marvin inquires curiously
"All over. I've been all over."
"You have done a lot of traveling for one so young"
Liena smiles sadly and says, "I'm older than I look" The two make small talk and then Liena falls asleep. She awakens as they enter LA city limits.
"Is there anywhere that I can drop you off?" he asks
"No. You can just let me out here" Liena answers. Marvin pulls over. "Thank you Marvin"
"Your welcome" he pulls the car over and Liena gets out. "Good luck Kat" he wishes
Liena nods and closes the car door. She looks around to find herself on a dark street. She notices a motel across the street. Walking across the street she registers for a room paying with cash. Going up to her room she curls up on the bed and falls asleep. She awakens in the morning, sitting up she reaches for the phonebook. Looking up banks she finds one of the banks in which she has a hidden account. Ten minutes later Liena walks out of the motel to the bank. She enters the bank finding it empty of customers. Standing in line a teller motions her over. "Yes I need two hundred dollars in cash. Three hundred in cashiers checks and a bank card. Name is Kat Pierson. Account number 2334675"
"Yes Ma'am." The teller says typing in the numbers. "It says here that you have a request on file for a bank card at any location."
"I know" Liena growls impatiently
The teller looks at her disapprovingly. "Just a moment" she walks to the back of the bank. A few moments later she returns with an enevelop. "Here is your card.' she opens her drawer counts out 200 dollars. She then fills out the cashier checks. "Here you are Ms Pearson. thank you please come again" Liena grunts in response. Quickly she walks out.
The first thing she does is buy some new clothes. A pair of jeans, a T-shirt and a jacket. She throws out the clothes she had been wearing earlier. Liena hails a cab and has him drop her off at storage garage. Liena spins the combination and opens the door. Entering she sees a black '67 Mustang hardtop. She finds the loose brick. Pulling it out she finds the spare keys. She then opens the cars trunk to find her lock box. Opening it she finds her various identifications. Liena searches until she finds her Kat Pearson identifications. Locking the box Liena pockets the identification. Glancing around the storage area she grabs her emergency back pack and duffle bag filled with clothes and such stashing it in the back seat. She starts the car and pulls out of the garage. Stopping the car she closes the door and locks it. Getting back in the car she starts to drive out of California.
At the mansion Angel is staring at the box containing Liena's journals. He is afraid to open it. Afraid of what he will learn. Angel hears the door open and senses Buffy walk in. He looks up and smiles sadly. "Hi"
"Angel you look terrible" Buffy states sitting beside him. "Have you had any sleep?"
Angel shakes his head. "I can't. I tried but everytime I closed my eyes I kept thinking about her and what she possibly wrote about in her journals"
Buffy looks at the journals sitting there. She picks up the first one and hands it to him. "There is only one way to find out" Angel takes it from her hands. "Read it to me" she requests.
Angel opens it to the first page. Buffy curls up against his side. Angel begins to read the fading words.
"April, 1764
Today is my birthday I am ten. Adam gave me this for a present. He told me that with this I could practice writing in both English and Gaelic. Adam was the one who taught me English and how to write and read in both languages. The man came to visit today like he does every year on my birthday. This year I finally asked him why he came. He answered 'For your father.' I wanted to ask more but I couldn't. I don't know why but I guess I felt that I wasn't ready. I don't know why I felt like that because I have always wanted to know about him. I never felt that same need towards my mother as I felt towards my father. A few nights ago I found out my father's name is Liam. They have never before used his name at least not around me. Then again they didn't know I heard them. I wonder why my father's identity is such a secret. In a way I think that finding out his name is the best birthday present I could have ever received."
Angel finishes reading the entry. Buffy looks up at him. "I can't believe that she had to wait ten years to find out your name"
"I can. They were scared that if she knew she might have tried to find me" Angel turns to the next page.
"April, 1764
I had another nightmare. I dreamt that I was being chased in the woods. I couldn't get away. Toby woke me up. He told me that I kept crying Papa in my sleep. He told me that it wasn't the first time I cried Papa in my sleep. I don't remember doing it. What reason should I have for doing that? I guess I have a reason that I have to find."
Closing the journal Angel strokes Buffy's hair thoughtfully. "I wonder where she is?"
"I'm sure she's safe baby"
"I know" he sighs
The Scooby Gang plus Angel are at the library researching when the phone rings.
"Sunnydale High Library this is Mr. Giles. How may I help you?" Giles asks politely as he answers the phone.
"Hey Giles. Its Liena is Angel there?" Liena requests tiredly
"OH yes he is just a moment" Giles says. Turning he says, "Angel its Liena"
Angel lifts Buffy off his lap and heads over and takes the phone from Giles. "Liena where are you?" he asks
On the other end Liena lays down on the bed. "I'm somewhere in Colorado I think. Or is it Nevada" she yawns. "I have been driving for two days straight."
"You haven't slept in two days?" Angel asks
"Not longer than ten minutes" she yawns. "So how is good ole Sunnyhell"
"Getting ready for the Mayor's Ascension" Angel answers
"Whoa" she groans in amazement. "Thats bad"
"So what do you know about it?" Angel asks
Liena sighs. "I know a little. I've heard stories from older immortals. Check with Methos he's the Oldest Guy alive. I'll have my contacts keep any ear out or eye. Or a nose" she groans in disgust. "I must be exhausted I'm rambling."
"Well then get some sleep" he advises
Liena glances at the clock. "I guess I should. I thought I'd let you know I have a new cell phone. The numbers 556-8930. I'll call in a few days. Night Papa" she yawns
"Night" Angel says hanging up. Turning around he looks over at the conference table and watches the Scooby Gang talking. Buffy looks up from her conversation with Xander and grins. Angel walks back to the chair. Buffy stands so he can sit down. Angel pulls her onto his lap.
"So where is Liena?" asks Willow
"She's not really sure. She's so exhausted she can't remember" Angel feels his mind at ease after hearing his daughter's voice. Buffy breaths a sigh of relief at the immediate change in Angel's mood.