Title : Family
Author : Aset


Chapter 29 :

Night had fallen quickly and fatigue had taken all of them very quickly. They had taken shelter in the entrance of the cave and had a fire in the middle to keep them warm. In the silence of the night four eyes stared at each other in the darkness; Angel, resting against the cold rocks of the cave, holding Cordelia and Connor, and Spike, at the opposite end, holding a sleeping Buffy in his arms. Angel smiled a bit as he felt Cordy stir, turn a bit and then continued her silent rhythmic snoring. Spike let out a chuckle. He'd never thought of Angel as a family-man.
'What ?' Angel glared at the blonde vampire.
'Nothing...What ? I'm not allowed to chuckle anymore ?'
'You laughed at me !'
'So ? So did you !'
'So ?'
'What ?' A sleepy voice asked. It was Cordelia, now sitting up straight, looking into Angel's loving eyes.
'See !' Angel said with a little growl in his voice, 'You woke her up'
Cordy looked at the two vampires, then stretched out to give Angel a little kiss on his cheek, followed by a sigh.
'I did not !'
'Did so ! You laughed !'
'You did so first, poof !' Spike glanced triumphantly at his grandsire.
'Guys !' Cordelia hissed, 'You're such babies !'
Angel looked at her, giving her a sweet, but perfect I-didn't-mean-to-I'm-innocent-I-love-you-face. He tried to give her a little kiss, but she pulled away a bit, and went to lay down again. 'Goodnight !' she said, ending all discussion.
'We're sorry.'
'We'll be good.' Both said as Cordelia snuggled up against Angel's chest, causing him to purr. Angel smiled as he felt her body gently relax again, softly tumbling in a peaceful slumber. His family was back together.

***

It had started to dawn, the blue sun rose, waking up the creatures living underneath its life-giving light and warmth. But it wasn't the light that woke our friends. It was a howl, an unnaturally sounding, scary howl.
'What's that ?' They asked as they got up, hearing the sound approaching.
'It's like ... oh God !' Cordy said as she looked outside, just like the rest, seeing two horrible creatures flying in their direction with an enormous speed.
'Run !' As they ran for shelter further into the caves, Wesley suddenly said, 'That man was right. We should get back to the darkness, it's safe there'
'What ?'
'The District of Night, it's safe.' Angel nodded, knowing Wes was right. It was in the Light they'd found the girls, Cordy and Connor but it was also in that same Light they'd made him believe he'd lost his family, and where these creatures were, probably trying to kill them.
'We have to go back', Angel let out an unnecessary sigh as he turned around.
'Angel!' Cordelia pulled at his arm, 'We can't go back there with those things still out there !'
'Then we'll wait', he said as he went to sit down on the ground. The others stared at him, too surprised to say something. Only Cordelia wasn't lost for words.
'Wait ? Wait for what Angel ? Wait until these things come after us ? Or send something else to kill us ? Or just wait until we starve to death in here ?', she stopped to catch her breath. 'If those things were summoned to kill us, they won't just leave, Angel !'
'I think the cheerleader is right, poof !', Spike said looking at Cordelia. She wasn't just the dumb looks he took her for. No, on the contrary, she was good looks with brains.
'What about a spell or so ? Or ... or that scroll ?'
' Can't we just go back home now ?' Xander looked hopefully at Willow, 'I mean, we've got Cordelia and the baby...'
'It's Holtz', Angel suddenly said before Willow could reply.
'Holtz ?' Buffy frowned. 'Who is he ?'
'An old 'friend' of Angel. He's the one who brought Connor here', Cordy explained in a soft voice.
'He summoned those beasts', Angel didn't look up, 'We can't leave !'
'What do you mean ?'
'He won't let us leave', Cordy answered in Angel's place, kneeling down beside her love, taking Connor from him.
'That's right !', a familiar voice behind them said. It was Holtz accompanied by his wizard and an army of gnomes.

***