[Disclaimer] I dont own Buffy or Angel, and if I did, I certainly wouldn't be writing my fic on this site. I would be on the beach, enjoying my money and thinking of Groo's untimely death.
[A/N] Once again, sorry if Holtz is out of character.
Cordelia ran up the weak stairs, broadsword in hand. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew she was following the right trail. How dare Holtz come here, thinking he could touch Connor. Cordy's anger grew as she reached the top of the staircase. She saw Holtz disappear around a corner, and she took after him. She followed him into a small room at the end of the hall. At one time, it was an English class room. Once inside, she saw Holtz, holding Connor at the far end of the room.
"How nice of you to join us." He said.
"Give me the child." She said, menacingly holding up the sword.
"Angelus killed my family. Now, I'll kill his." Holtz pulled a dagger out of his trench coat. At that point in time, Angel ran into the room.
"Take me, Holtz." Angel said as he took a step forward.
"I dont want you. I want to torture you like you did me. Why would I kill you? You dont have to live with grief or pain. That would be too easy for you. No, Im going to take his life. Then Im taking the slayer's."
"Why the slayers?" Cordy asked, inching forward.
"I'd step back if I were you, and Im going to kill the woman he loves. Just like he killed my wife."
"Take me instead." Cordy pleaded, eyeing the small infant in Holtz's arms. Connor began to squirm and whimper. "Just leave the baby alone."
"Cordy, dont." Angel said, and gave her a pleading look.
Holtz watched them, interested. A warrior and his seer. "If you come and take this child, I'll take you instead. And leave your weapon where you stand."
"Cordy, dont." Angel repeated as Cordelia began walking towards Holtz. She dropped the sword to the ground and inched her way on the unsteady floor. When she was about a foot from Holtz, he laid the infant down on the floor, then grabbed Cordelia's wrist and pulled her away from Connor. Within seconds, Angel had Connor in his arms. He gave Cordelia one last look before turning and walking out the door.
*****
Buffy stood over Justine's unconscious body. "Are you ok?" She asked her sister.
Dawn rubber her wrists where the ropes had begun to burn. "Yeah, Im fine."
"Good. Help me here." Buffy grabbed the rope that once held Dawn and began tying Justine up. Within minutes she was restrained.
Buffy handed Dawn a dagger. "If anybody comes down here, scream as loud as you can, but dont be afraid to use that. Im going to find Angel." Without another word she ran up the stairs and was gone around the corner. Dawn looked around worriedly. She was completely alone now.
*****
"I guess you weren't that important to him." Holtz told Cordelia as he strengthened his grip on her wrist. "Notice how quick he left."
Cordelia ignored him and attempted to squirm out of his hold on her.
"Some warrior. I'll still get that child you know. And when I do-" Holtz was interrupted by Angel running inside the room once more. Without hesitation, he bent down, grabbed the sword Cordy had dropped and tossed it to her. Holtz attempted to grab it first, but Cordy's free hand was too quick. She smoothly performed a trick Angel had taught her, and then slid the sword into Holtz's torso.
"Hah." She muttered as Holtz gasped for air. She looked to Angel who gave her an approving look. She smirked, and just as she let go of the sword, the ground under her gave away and she felt herself falling to the ground below.
*****
Outside the English room, Buffy held Connor in her arms and watched his sleepy face. All her anger disappeared when she saw this miracle child in her arms. Yes, Angel had left her. But it didn't hurt anymore. She was happy the way she was, actually. With her family now. Dawn and Willow and of course Spike. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash . She ran into the room and saw Angel leaning over a huge hole, looking down into dust and debris.
"Cordy!" He yelled. When he didn't receive an answer, he jumped to his feet and ran out of the room. Buffy looked into the hole, and then down at Connor's face. She could only hope Cordelia was ok.
*****
Dawn kneeled down beside Cordelia's limp body. "Cordy!" She said, "Cordelia! Can you hear me?"
Angel then ran down the stairs, taking three at a time. "Cordelia." He said as he knelt by her, "Cordy, wake up." He grabbed her hand and felt for a pulse. It was there. Weak, but there. "I'm gonna get you out of this." He moved her hair off her face. "You saved him." He said. "You saved Connor. Now I'm gonna take care of you. You did a good job back there, Cordy. You're a good mother."