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The Curse Sequel
Chapter 12/?
Liena awakens to Jessa laughing somewhere in the house. Sitting up Liena is hit with a wave of nausea. She rushes into the bathroom. She spends awhile hanging over the toilet. Rinsing out her mouth she joins the others in the kitchen. "Morning"she yawns
"Its almost afternoon" Pike tells her
"Oh" she replies taking a glass of orange juice from Andrea.
"You feeling OK?" Andrea inquires concerned
Liena nods. "I feel better than I did last month. I could barely move without needing to visit the bathroom. Now I'm down to only a few times a day."
"So when do you want to go?" Pike asks
Liena glances at the clock. "Jess needs a bath. I need a shower. So how about around 3."
Pike nods in agreement. "Sure. Let me know when your ready"
Liena nods. "Jessa my girl lets go get you cleaned up" Liena calls to the toddler
Jessa shakes her head. "No"
"Yes" Liena says firmly she goes and picks up the squirming toddler and carries her into the bathroom.
"No Mama" Jessa protests in French. "Jessa no bath"
Liena replies in French. "Jessa needs a bath. We're going to visit someone very important to Mama" Liena turns on the faucet and strips the toddler naked.
"No" Jessa pouts
"Yes" Liena says as she turns off the water she picks up the toddler and starts to put her in the tub.
"NO" Jessa screams as she kicks. One of her kicks catches Liena in the side
Liena grunts at the force of the kick. "Jessa no kicking Mama" she admonishes lightly spanking the toddler
Jessa whimpers then says "Jessa sorry Mama"
"I know baby now behave." Liena puts the toddler in the water
Liena and Jessa join Pike in the living room. "We're ready" Liena announces picking up the toddler
"All right" Pike says picking up the diaper bag. "Andy we'll be back later" he says kissing the blond
"OK. Have a good day" Andrea says
They pull up infront of a run down warehouse/apartment building. Pike turns to Liena. "Do you want me to come in with you?" he asks
Liena shakes her head. "No thanks. Why don't you go home. Angel and I have a lot to talk about. I don't know how long it will take. We might just stay here tonight" She gets out of the car and goes to the back seat and takes Jessa out of the car seat. "Thanks Pike. If Adam calls tell him he can reach me here"
"All right. Bye Jessa"
"Bye" Jessa replies waving
Liena carries the toddler into the building. "Well babies" she thinks kissing Jessa's head. "lets get this done" she goes to the office door. She senses Angel inside as she knocks.
Inside Angel senses Liena nearby. Hearing the knock at the door he gets up and opens the door to find an surprising sight. "Liena" he greets with a smile. "who's this?" he asks moving away so they can enter
"I'm Jessa" she tells him proudly
"Nice to meet you. I'm Angel"
"Jessa is my daughter" Liena tells him
Angel looks at his daughter and the blond haired little girl in her arms. He sees that there is a story to be told. "Why don't we go downstairs" he suggests
Liena nods and follows Angel to the elevator. Once downstairs Liena puts the toddler down on the floor. "Jess Angel and I need to talk. Why don't you sit here and play." Liena says kissing the little girl's head. She joins Angel in the kitchen as he makes some tea. Keeping an eye on Jessa she sits at the kitchen table. Angel joins her. "I guess you have questions"
"Yes I do" Angel replies
"About five years ago a friend of mine and his wife were killed in a car accident. Their teenage daughter was put in a foster home. I kept in touch with her. A few years later she called and told me that she was pregnant and her foster family was kicking her out. She came to stay with me so she wouldn't have to switch schools in her senior year. A month after Jenessa was born Becca died. So I've had custody of Jessa ever since."
"There's something about her" Angel states
"Jessa can you come here for a second" Liena calls
"Yes Mama" Jessa asks entering the kitchen. She walks to her mother. Liena picks her up and puts her on the table so her back is to Angel.
"I just need to show Angel something and then you can go play" Liena moves the neck of the toddler's shirt down to show Angel a birthmark.
"She's a future Slayer" Angel says stunned
Liena nods kissing the toddler's head she puts her back on the ground. "Go back and play." she watches as the toddler runs back to the living room. "She hasn't even been called and she already is strong. I meant to tell you about her earlier but I thought that it was one of the things I needed to tell you in person."
"So what other surprising news do you have for me?" Angel asks curious
Liena takes a sip of tea. "It turns out everyone was wrong about the possibility of me getting pregnant"
Angel frowns as he turns his senses on Liena's body. He then notices a faint second heart beat. "Your pregnant" he says stunned. "Thats why you were ill"
Liena nods. "You think you were surprised." she says "though Methos wasn't" she mutters
"What do you mean?" Angel demands
"It turns out they weren't sure. Methos concluded that it was a possibility but not with Luca being the father. Said it had something to with Luca choosing immortality"
Angel frowns "So who is the father"
Liena fidgets with the mug infront of her. "Spike"
Angel stares at her stunned. "What?!" he exclaims "How is that possible?"
Liena shrugs "Don't know. He thinks it has something to with the my reaction to the Hellmouth and its powers"
Angel leans forward and covers her hand with his. "Are you going to tell Spike?"
Liena shrugs. "Haven't decided. what do you think? You've known him longer than I have."
"Liena its your decision to make."
"Then right now I think its for the best if he doesn't know."
"Liena he might find out anyway"
"I'll deal with it when it happens" she says
"Mama" Jessa says entering the kitchen holding her teddy bear sucking her thumb
"Jess you tired?" Liena asks
She shakes her head. She walks to Angel and looks at him curiously. Taking her thumb out of her mouth she holds up her arms "Up" she demands
Angel looks at Liena "She wants you to pick her up" Angel hesitantly picks the toddler up
Jessa watches Angel wide eyed for a moment. She pulls her teddy bear close and then sticks her thumb back in her mouth and lays her head on his chest. "She likes you" Liena remarks
"She's not afraid of me" Angel says surprised
"Jessa is a good judge of character."
The two adults are silent. "Liena glad you came"
"So am I"
"How long are you two staying?" Angel asks
"Not sure. For a while. Methos ordered me to be careful and stay in touch. I'm thinking I might have the baby in the states. If I go back to France it'll be a while until we can come to the states."
"So are you going to stay in LA?" he asks
"No I don't think so. I have too many enemies in LA. Right now since I'm not showing much its fine. They'll stay away. But when I start to show I'm betting they'll realize that I'm not at full strength. When that happens I will be in danger and so will anyone close to me."
"So what will you do?" Angel questions
"Stay in LA for a while with a low profile. A very low profile" she remarks. Liena notices that the toddler has fallen asleep. "She's asleep" she says. Angel looks down at the sleeping toddler. Liena gets up and takes the toddler from Angel. "Is there somewhere I can put her down?"
Angel stands up. "Yes. You can put her down in my bed." Angel leads them into his bedroom. Angel watches as Liena puts the toddler down. She joins Angel in the doorway. "She's a great kid. You've done a great job with her"
Liena absently touches her abdomen. "I hope I do as great a job with him"
Angel puts his arm around her shoulders and hugs her. "You will" he says kissing her temple. "So I'm getting a grandson?" Angel asks
"I think so. I don't know for sure but I just have this feeling its a boy" she leans her head against his shoulder. "You know how sometimes you just feel something so strong that you know its right?"
"Yes. I had that same feeling when I saw Buffy for the first time."
"You miss her don't you?" Liena asks softly
"More and more everyday." Angel sighs
"I miss Luca just the same" Liena whispers "Everyday I wish that he could be here" she pulls away from Angel and heads to the couch. "Then I remember that if he was still alive I wouldn't be pregnant." she sighs
"So whats the problem?" Angel asks softly as he sits beside her
"No matter how much I want him back I want this baby more" she wraps her arms around her drawn up knees. "No matter the fact of who his father is. Angel even though Spike is the father rather than Luca it still feels right."
"Life seems to bring us more surprises everyday" Angel states
Chapter 13/?
For the next month and a half Liena and Jessa stay in LA pretty much living with Angel unless he has a dangerous assignment. Finally the day comes that Liena and Angel realize that Liena is beginning to show even more and it is time for her to leave LA.
"This bites" Liena grumbles as she watches Jessa playing on the floor.
Hearing that Angel looks up from his playing with the toddler. "You know its for the best."
"I know. But I'm almost six months along and I don't feel like moving" she whines stroking her swollen abdomen. She smiles as the baby moves. "Though he does"
"Me..' Angel glances at the toddler. 'uh Adam will be here soon."
"Mama?" Jessa asks
"Yes Jess?"
"Where we going?" she asks
Liena shrugs. "I don't know"
"I talked to Giles earlier" Angel says standing up he carries the toddler to the couch.
"So whats going on in Sunnydale?" she asks as the toddler lays her head on Liena's belly.
"Well Buffy and Faith are having a light patrolling. It seems the demon population is still a little wary of them."
"Whats the surprise there? I mean Buffy blew up the school with the Mayor in it. Plus she is most likely taking her anger out over you leaving on the demon population. And trust me I know that when a girl is pissed at an ex she can be very destructive."
"Hey its not like I wanted to break up with her" Angel protests
"I know I'm just stating a fact"
They then hear the elevator descend and Methos comes out. "Hello" he greets
Jessa sees Adam and says. "HI Adam" she waves
"Hi Jessa" he replies walking to the couch he picks the toddler up and gives her a kiss. "Your looking well Liena" he observes
Liena growls. "Bite me Old Man"
Angel rolls his eyes. "She's been moody all day" he explains
"I'm pregnant what do you expect" she growls
"Don't growl at me" says Methos "Our flight leaves at 4." he tells them
"Thats in two hours" Liena whines
"I know. I wanted to keep our departure quick"
"So where are you going?" Angel asks
"A small town outside San Francisco. Its population is small but the town heads are loyal to me. They'll keep our presence a secret"
"Wanna stay" Liena pouts
Methos and Angel ignore her attitude. "Are you sure that they can be trusted?" Angel asks
"I'm sure" They talk for an hour and then Methos says "We should get going"
"Do we have to?" Liena whines
"Yes. I'll go put the bags in the car." Methos says heading upstairs with the bags
Angel looks at his daughter sadly "Wish you didn't have to go"
"Same here." they hug
"I want you to call and let me know how things are." Angel tells her sternly
"I will" she promises. She looks at him "Will you come visit?"
"Sure I will." he hugs her
"Miss you Papa" she says tearfully
"I'll miss you too little one"
Liena giggles when the baby kicks. "He'll miss you too" They then feel little arms wrap themselves around a leg each. "so will Jessa"
Angel reaches down and picks the toddler up. "Jessa I'll miss you too"
"Kiss" Jessa demands
Chuckling Angel kisses the toddler's cheek. "Bye Jess." Angel says
"Bye Anwel" Jessa says kissing him back
Angel notices Jessa's teddy bear on the couch. "Here Jess" he says giving the toddler her bear
"Bear wants kiss" she states holding the bear up for Angel to kiss
Angel, (having learned earlier that when Jessa wants her bear kissed you do it) smiles kissing the bear. "Bye Bear" he says. He turns to Liena and holds his hand out to her. Liena tucks her hand into his and squeezes it to reassure herself and him. Angel leads her to the elevator releasing her hand to close the elevator. Seconds later the elevator stops on the office floor. Methos enters the office just as the elevator comes to a stop. Methos senses the two want to say their goodbyes.
"I'll go put Jessa in her carseat" he offers taking the toddler from Angel's arms. The toddler waves to Angel over Methos's shoulder
"I'm glad you came" Angel says
Smiling sadly Liena replies, "Me too"
He leans down and kisses her forehead. "I'll talk to you later"
"Love you Papa" she whispers tearfully
"I love you too sweetheart"
Saying their final goodbyes Liena walks out the door
Angel reading through a tome is jarred out of his reading by the phone ringing. "Hello?" he greets
"Hi" Liena yawns
"How was the trip?" Angel asks putting down his book
"Tiring" she answers
"Oh. Well sweetheart go to bed"
"I will." she yawns "I thought I'd call and let you know we got here safe"
"I'm glad you called. Now go to bed" he orders
"OK" she says, "Talk to you later"
"Bye sweetheart. Sleep well" Angel tells her
"Night Papa" she yawns
CHAPTER 14/?
Every few days Angel and Liena talk. The month go by quickly and Liena is in the middle of her 8th month. One morning she and Angel are talking. "Not much longer" Liena remarks
"What is it less than two weeks?" he asks
"Unless he decides he wants to be early. With my luck he'll be late" she sighs
Angel smiles "I'm leaving tonight. I should be there Sunday night"
"Good. I'm glad your going to be here"
"Me too" he then says, "I've got to get to sleep. Give Jess a kiss and I'll see you Sunday"
"Kay. Bye Papa see you then"
Angel arrives at the house. He knocks on the door and awaits for an answer.
Methos opens the door to find Angel standing there. "Come on in" he invites. Closing the door he says, "Liena's in bed. She hasn't been sleeping well so I sent her to bed early"
"How is she doing?"
"She is getting to be more emotional. I swear the only time she's calm is when she and Jessa are watching cartoons." Methos leads the vampire into the kitchen. "Want a beer?" he asks opening the fridge
"Sure" Angel replies. He takes the beer from Methos. "What about her health?" Angel asks as they sit down in the living room.
Methos sighs, "As far as I can tell her health is fine. It seems to be the same as before. I don't really know if its supposed to be different." The two immortals talk past midnight about the past and the present. Methos tells Angel stories about Liena. Finally the two say good night.
Angel awakens to the sound of laughter coming from the downstairs. Smiling he gets out of bed and pulls on a tank top and heads downstairs. He stands in the doorway watching as the two girls laugh at the movie they are watching.
"Hi Angel" Liena greets without turning around
Smiling Angel walks up to the back of the couch. Leaning down he kisses the top of her head and the toddlers. "Hey you two. What are you watching?"
"Cinderella" Jessa says looking up at him with a smile
"I love the mice in this movie" Liena states
Sensing he's lost their attention Angel heads into the kitchen to find Methos reading the newspaper. "Hey" he greets. He takes a blood pack out of the fridge.
"I take it you couldn't keep their attention either"
"Nope. Their glued to the TV."
"Like always" Methos mutters. "At least I get a few mintues of quiet."
"Don't forget Phoebe is coming over later" Liena calls
"OK" Methos calls back
"Phoebe?" asks Angel
"Liena met her at the library. They started talking about mythology. Phoebe's pretty nice. I met her sisters Piper and Prue."
"At least Liena has some friends to talk to" Angel says
"How's Buffy?" Methos asks
"I don't know. I haven't talked to her since I left. I've tried calling her but I chicken out everytime she answers."
"Two thousand years and women are still the same."
"Your telling me" Angel mutters
The doorbell rings. "I get it" Jessa yells
"No you won't" Methos calls racing after the toddler just as she reaches for the door knob. He picks the toddler up as he answers the door. "Jess how many times do I have to tell you no opening the door unless one of us is with you." he sees Phoebe standing there. "Hey Phoebe she's in the living room watching Cinderella"
"I love that movie" Phoebe says
Methos puts Jessa down and the toddler takes Phoebe's hand and leads her into the living room. "Hey Phoebe" Liena greets
"Anwel" Jessa calls
Angel joins them in the living room. "I'm right here Jess"
Phoebe is stunned by the sight of Angel. "Hi I'm Phoebe Halliwell" she greets holding out her hand
Angel shakes her hand. "I'm Angel. Liena's uh" he glances at Methos and sees him mouth 'brother' "I'm Liena's brother"
At the touch of his hand Phoebe is hit with a vision. A vision of Angel. His face grotesque with fangs fighting with some others who resemble him. 'Vampire' her nerves scream. She sees a blond haired girl shove a sword into his stomach. Then saw him pushed into a giant stone idol. A child taken from her mother. Confused by her vision Phoebe shakes it off.
"You OK?" asks Angel as he senses a change in her attitude.
"Uh yeah. I uh got a little distracted" she lies
"Phoebe you ready to work?" asks Liena
Shaking off the vision Phoebe answers "Uh yeah." she sits down on the couch beside Liena
"Come on Jessa" Angel says carrying the child into the kitchen
Methos follows "If you guys need anything just call"
Phoebe reluctantly starts to study for her test with Liena's help. "Liena how do you know this stuff?"
Liena shrugs, "I've had a knowledgeable life" she laughs as the baby kicks
"Can I feel?" Phoebe asks
"Sure" Liena replies
A second later the baby kicks. "That is so cool. He's like whoa I want outta here" Phoebe laughs
"Not much longer" Liena smiles. "All right lets get back to work" she suggests
An hour later Phoebe and Liena close the books. "Thanks for helping me with this"
"Sure not a problem" Liena says as Phoebe starts putting away her books
Pausing Phoebe asks "Why didn't you tell me you brother was so cute?"
Liena shrugs "Dunno" she stands as Phoebe does picking up her backpack. Liena walks her to the door. "I'll see you later"
"Sure" Phoebe says heading out the door her mind going over the visions
Inside Liena walks to the kitchen stretching her back. "I'm hungry" she states sitting down at the table
"Pickles and oreos?" Methos asks
Scrunching her nose Liena says "Applesauce" he nods and gets up
"Phoebe seemed nice" Angel states reluctantly
"But?" Liena asks
"I don't know. When we shook hands I felt something weird" Angel says
"Like what?" Liena asks
"I don't know." Angel sighs "But whatever it was was powerful"
Chapter 14/?
The front door slams closed. "Piper, Prue" Phoebe calls excitedly
"In the kitchen"
Phoebe heads into the kitchen to find her sisters sitting at the table with Piper's boyfriend Leo. "You won't believe what happened today" she states pacing
"What?" asks Prue
"Well I went to Liena's place. And I met her brother"
"Was he cute?" asks Prue grinning at Piper
"He was hot. But that's beside the point" Phoebe states, "Anyway when I shook his hand I got a vision. A freaky vision"
"What was it?" asks Leo noticing Phoebe's nervous attitude
"Him as a vampire. He was fighting others like him. I felt his anger and his pain. But I felt his humanity. I saw the strangest thing. He was stabbed through the stomach by a sword then saw him shoved into a giant stone thingy"
Leo is startled by what Phoebe has said. "Phoebe what was the guys name?"
"Angel. Why you know him?"
Leo shifts then stands "If its who I think it is he is a vampire"
"So we stake him" Prue says
"No" Leo says
"Why not?" demands Piper
"He has a soul."
"He's a vampire he can't have a soul"
"Look its a long story."
"Leo tell us" Prue says
Leo nods. "Angel used to be like other vampires kill and destroy. About a hundred years ago he killed a gypsy from the Kalderash clan. As a punishment they returned to him his soul."
"whats so bad about that?" asks Piper
"He also regained the memories o all of his kills. Up until about 1994 he was rarely seen. Finally he resurfaced in Sunnydale California. Over a year ago he lost his soul. He tried to turn the world into Hell. He tried to awaken the demon Acathala. In the end he was sent to Hell by the girl he loved."
"The blond"
"So what happened?" asks Piper
"Somehow he returned" Leo says "No one knows how but he did"
"What about his soul?" asks Phoebe
"As far as I know he has his soul again"
"I think he does" Phoebe states. "He seemed sad but I think he has it still"
"are you going to mention it to Liena?" asks Prue
"I don't know" admits Phoebe. "She's due soon plus she might get upset"
"But your still concerned"
"Of course she's my friend"
"I'd ask her" Piper advises
"How? I mean she doesn't know about my visions or the fact we're witches"
"Phoebe whatever you decide be sure. If Angel is still on the side of good than he can be trusted. You need to find out if he is still good."
Phoebe nods. "I will thanks Leo"