Title : Family
Author : Aset
Chapter 30:
'Hello Angelus' Holtz said, stepping up to Angel,'Good to see you again' He said with a smile
'Too bad I can't say the same thing' Angel said, pushing Cordelia and Connor back.
Dawn quietly walked backwards towards the other end of the cave, but Holtz had seen it.
'I wouldn't do that if I were you, girl. The Arklen are still out there'
'What do you want, Holtz?' Angel asked in a harsh voice.
'Well, I was about to ask for the kid, but then again, I could always kill you...But that would be too easy, wouldn't it?'
'You can always try...' Angel said, looking Holtz right into the eyes. Holtz started laughing,
'Angel.' Cordelia stepped up to him, placing a hand on his arm, trying to bring him to reason.
'Cordy, get back'
'I won't let you get hurt'
'She's a brave one' Holtz said as she stepped up to Cordelia, who didn't back off, but looked Holtz in the eye, 'I can see why you've fallen for her, Angelus'
'Leave her out of this'
'I think she's already quite involved.' Holtz said as he let his hand rest on Cordelia's belly.
'Angel growled as he went in gameface. He didn't want her to get hurt, and he didn't want him to touch them.
'Let her be, Holtz' he said again in a deep voice. Spike joined Angel, also in his Vamp-form, standing next to his grandsire.
'Oh, two Vamps. more kills.' Holtz laughed beneath his words. This was going to be the revenge he dreamt of. He was too late to kill Darla, but he would kill Angelus and his grandchilde. The humans, he wasn't certain what to do with them yet. He looked back to the girls and smiled. This was looking really good. In the back, Willow was thinking. Her eyes growing dark as she started her spell...
This was going to be the revenge...
A bright light flashed through the cave. when it had faded, it revealed an empty cave. Holtz cursed, and in his anger he ran his sword through the wizard, standing behind him, clueless about what had just happened.
*-*-*
Darkness surrounded them, until a little lightball appeared.
'We're back in Night!' Wesley said happily.
'Great job, Willow!' Dawn complimented her friend, smiling.
Cordelia hugged Angel, happy they were safe, although the vampire wasn't that enthusiastic. He'd loved to take Holtz out, but he knew that had been in vain, with the army of goblins, and Willow had in fact saved all of them. They went to sit down near the river, as Wesley took out the Scroll.
'Only a quick look, then we can head back'
'What? Is the scroll gonna disappear once we get back home?' Cordy asked in her bitchy voice, although she didn't wanted it to sound that way. She was tired, and worried about Angel, and Connor. The baby needed his special milk, and Angel... well, she just didn't like it he went all broody again.
'No, we need some formula in here to get us back home... unless you want to stay here?' Wesley sighed as he looked down again, assisting Willow and Fred in the reading.
Buffy went to sit next to Spike against the trunk of a tree. 'I never thought I'd say this, but I'll be happy when we get back to Sunnydale'
Spike smiled and nodded, 'Me too. Not that I didn't enjoy my quality time with Peaches here, but when he's all lost in thoughts, all dark and broody...' Spike said, teasing Angel, who was sitting in front of them, holding Connor.
Angel looked up, but didn't say a word. Cordy sighed as she went to sit down next to him, taking Connor. 'I just wonder... how come he's all bright and smiling' She said, looking down at Connor, 'and you can be so dark and broody. I thought father and son were alike?' Cordy faced Angel, seeing sadness in his eyes
'I should've killed him'
'That wouldn't have solved anything'
'Or he just should've killed me.. He had the right'
'And why should he have the right?'
'I murdered his family' Angel stated, looking down again. Cordy was speechless for a moment. She knew what Angelus had done to Holtz's family, and yes, that had been wrong, and it hurt her deeply to see Angel suffer like that;
'No, that wasn't you'
'Yes, it was me, Cordy'
'Cordelia is right, Angel... that wasn't you' Buffy was helping out now. A brief moment she recalled Christmas 1999, when it had started to snow...Angel had been all broody then too, wanting to kill himself...she didn't want that to happen, not then when she loved him with all her heart, but knew it mustn't be, and not now, when she still loved him, even though she was with Spike and he was with Cordy. This was Angel, her first love, and a good friend.
'Okay, go back then and get yourself killed, but what about Connor then?...And what about our baby?...What about me?' Cordy felt she wasn't getting anywhere with he 'it's not you' -technique so she decided a different approach. She knew how much family meant to him.
Angel didn't say anything, just looked up to her, tears in his eyes. This took Spike by surprise. He never imagined his grandsire crying. He'd seen him in love, with Darla, with Buffy and now with Cordelia, but never seen him cry like this. Buffy looked away for a moment. Cordy didn't. She gave Spike the baby, got closer to Angel, and pulled him into an embrace.
'It's been a long time, Angel. And he's had his revenge. True, it's horrible what Angelus and Darla had done back in the days to his family, but it wasn't you. You've been punished enough now, Angel. He's taken away Connor, he made you believe we died, and he's hunted us a while. But it's over now, and we're gonna go home. So stop blaming yourself!'
'I'm sorry' Angel said, breaking free from the embrace, cupping her face with his hands after he brushed away a strand of hair, hanging in her face. Then he brought is face closer to hers, and their lips met in a soft embrace.
*-*-*
A couple hours later they were all standing back in the Hyperion. Wesley, Fred and Willow had deciphered the scroll, and said the magic words that had got them all back to the home-dimension. Connor was fast asleep in his crib, Dawn standing next to him, watching him sleep, waiting 'till the others were through talking so they could all return home. Fred and Gunn had gone off to Gunn's place; Willow, Wesley and Xander were sitting on the couch, joined by Angel and Spike. Nobody really knew what to say, and since everybody was waiting for someone else to say something, it remained awfully quiet.
Buffy and Cordy had gone into the kitchen, in need of some privacy to talk. It was weird, but both agreed on having a little chat.
'So.'
'So.' both said, not really knowing how to start. It was awkward, finding Cordelia speechless.
'Look, I know we haven't always got along.' Cordelia started out.
'I want to sort out the differences.'Buffy began.
Both started laughing, then the little 'you first' discussion began. Finally Cordelia took a deep breath; 'I know we haven't always got along in the past, but I want things to be ok between us now.' Buffy nodded,' and.I hope. we can be. like friends one day too.'
Buffy gave her a little smile, and she was still amazed by the new Cordy. Angel hadn't really mentioned her in their phone-talks, or when he'd come to visit her when her mom had died, or when she'd come back from the dead. She'd seen Cordelia the few times she'd came to visit, when she was in LA with her dad. And she'd still been the same.
'Yeah, me too.' Buffy said, but she knew they were both avoiding the subject why they came in there to talk in the first place.Angel.
'Look, Cordelia. About Angel, you don't have anything to worry about' she said, 'Him and me is over. I've got Spike now. And Angel loves you.'
'Thanks' Cordy said, giving the Slayer a sincere smile.
They then were interrupted by Xander, who knocked politely at the door.
'Had to get some milk.' He said, entering the kitchen. Relief on Cordy and Buffy's faces. Neither of them knew what to say anymore. The most important thing was said. 'He's all yours'.
Cordy stepped up, making Connor's bottle. She was surprised it was Xander who came to get the child's food. Buffy left the kitchen, leaving Cordy and Xander alone.
*-*-*
Angel was standing by the crib, watching how Connor played with the rattle Cordy had bought him in Mexico. He smiled, having his family back together and safe.
'Angel.' a voice behind him said. It was Wesley.
'What do you want?'
'Just to talk to you'
Angel could smell his fear. Wesley was really afraid of him. They hadn't really talked in the other dimension, only the bare necessities were said between them, and both had been avoiding each other.
'Then talk' Angel was brief. He knew what Wesley wanted. He wanted to say he's sorry, wanted forgiveness. He wanted to tell his side of the story, but Angel already knew that one. How Wesley deciphered the words, 'the father will kill the son', and he tried to bring Connor to safety. He failed, and Angel had lost his son.
'I want to say I'm sorry. And I hope you understand.'
'I do' Angel interrupted him, 'And I'll forgive you.'
Wesley looked at him, surprised.
'But I don't trust you.'
Wesley nodded, happily, then left. He knew the conversation was finished. And he knew this was already a lot. Angel was prepared to give him a second chance, but it would need time. He still felt guilt for endangering them all by going to the other dimension. He felt it was his fault. He was the one who had taken Connor away, but the child was back now, and safe. He could start living himself, and learned to accept.
*-*-*
'You're already a trained mom' Xander said, sitting on the table, watching how Cordy warmed the milk. Cordelia turned around, and smiled.
'They're lucky to have you'
'No, I'm lucky to have them'
'So. when's the baby due?'
'Still 6 months to go. why, are you volunteering to be a godfather?'
Xander smiled.
'I'll talk to Angel about it' she smiled. 'You and Buffy for this baby, Fred and Gunn for Connor.' She said, mostly to herself as she took the bottle, checked the temperature and then left the kitchen, leaving a smiling Xander behind.
*-*-* A couple of hours later *-*-*
It was quiet at the Hyperion. Wesley had returned to his apartment, Connor was sleeping and the Scoobies had returned too. Cordy and Angel were on the couch, holding each other, enjoying each other's presence.
'So, you've talked to Buffy?' Angel asked out of curiosity
'Uhu'
'So.'
'What so?'
'Nothing, I just want to know what.'
'She said you're all mine, that I've got nothing to worry about and good luck with the babies'
'Oh.'
Cordy let out a laugh, then hugged him
'That's about the same thing Spike said' he whispered
'What? That you're all mine?' she laughed
'No, about the baby, and us'
She poked him between his ribs 'Au! What was that for?'
'You know, I'm gonna miss them'
Angel's turn to smile. Cordy who's gonna miss the Scoobies? What has happened???
'We could invite them over from time to time' Angel said, placing a soft kiss on her hair. She sighed. 'That'd be nice' She said, before she snuggled herself even better against him, dozing of in a peaceful sleep.
*-¨°¨-*-¨°¨-*
A/N: okay, first sorry for any mistakes in the text. Then a thank you to Horus! And to the ones who send me the 'Great story'-mails and the reviews! That really cheers me up ;o)
Then I'd also like to apologise for mistakes in the timeline. I hadn't seen season 6 of Buffy when I started this story. But to be completely correct the story takes place right after Xander left Anya, Tara and Willow just broke up (she's not all-dark and powerful yet, and Amy isn't in it too)
There, hope that solves some problems.
There's still an epilogue, so keep on reading (and reviewing ;o) )
Greetings,
Aset
Author : Aset
Chapter 30:
'Hello Angelus' Holtz said, stepping up to Angel,'Good to see you again' He said with a smile
'Too bad I can't say the same thing' Angel said, pushing Cordelia and Connor back.
Dawn quietly walked backwards towards the other end of the cave, but Holtz had seen it.
'I wouldn't do that if I were you, girl. The Arklen are still out there'
'What do you want, Holtz?' Angel asked in a harsh voice.
'Well, I was about to ask for the kid, but then again, I could always kill you...But that would be too easy, wouldn't it?'
'You can always try...' Angel said, looking Holtz right into the eyes. Holtz started laughing,
'Angel.' Cordelia stepped up to him, placing a hand on his arm, trying to bring him to reason.
'Cordy, get back'
'I won't let you get hurt'
'She's a brave one' Holtz said as she stepped up to Cordelia, who didn't back off, but looked Holtz in the eye, 'I can see why you've fallen for her, Angelus'
'Leave her out of this'
'I think she's already quite involved.' Holtz said as he let his hand rest on Cordelia's belly.
'Angel growled as he went in gameface. He didn't want her to get hurt, and he didn't want him to touch them.
'Let her be, Holtz' he said again in a deep voice. Spike joined Angel, also in his Vamp-form, standing next to his grandsire.
'Oh, two Vamps. more kills.' Holtz laughed beneath his words. This was going to be the revenge he dreamt of. He was too late to kill Darla, but he would kill Angelus and his grandchilde. The humans, he wasn't certain what to do with them yet. He looked back to the girls and smiled. This was looking really good. In the back, Willow was thinking. Her eyes growing dark as she started her spell...
This was going to be the revenge...
A bright light flashed through the cave. when it had faded, it revealed an empty cave. Holtz cursed, and in his anger he ran his sword through the wizard, standing behind him, clueless about what had just happened.
*-*-*
Darkness surrounded them, until a little lightball appeared.
'We're back in Night!' Wesley said happily.
'Great job, Willow!' Dawn complimented her friend, smiling.
Cordelia hugged Angel, happy they were safe, although the vampire wasn't that enthusiastic. He'd loved to take Holtz out, but he knew that had been in vain, with the army of goblins, and Willow had in fact saved all of them. They went to sit down near the river, as Wesley took out the Scroll.
'Only a quick look, then we can head back'
'What? Is the scroll gonna disappear once we get back home?' Cordy asked in her bitchy voice, although she didn't wanted it to sound that way. She was tired, and worried about Angel, and Connor. The baby needed his special milk, and Angel... well, she just didn't like it he went all broody again.
'No, we need some formula in here to get us back home... unless you want to stay here?' Wesley sighed as he looked down again, assisting Willow and Fred in the reading.
Buffy went to sit next to Spike against the trunk of a tree. 'I never thought I'd say this, but I'll be happy when we get back to Sunnydale'
Spike smiled and nodded, 'Me too. Not that I didn't enjoy my quality time with Peaches here, but when he's all lost in thoughts, all dark and broody...' Spike said, teasing Angel, who was sitting in front of them, holding Connor.
Angel looked up, but didn't say a word. Cordy sighed as she went to sit down next to him, taking Connor. 'I just wonder... how come he's all bright and smiling' She said, looking down at Connor, 'and you can be so dark and broody. I thought father and son were alike?' Cordy faced Angel, seeing sadness in his eyes
'I should've killed him'
'That wouldn't have solved anything'
'Or he just should've killed me.. He had the right'
'And why should he have the right?'
'I murdered his family' Angel stated, looking down again. Cordy was speechless for a moment. She knew what Angelus had done to Holtz's family, and yes, that had been wrong, and it hurt her deeply to see Angel suffer like that;
'No, that wasn't you'
'Yes, it was me, Cordy'
'Cordelia is right, Angel... that wasn't you' Buffy was helping out now. A brief moment she recalled Christmas 1999, when it had started to snow...Angel had been all broody then too, wanting to kill himself...she didn't want that to happen, not then when she loved him with all her heart, but knew it mustn't be, and not now, when she still loved him, even though she was with Spike and he was with Cordy. This was Angel, her first love, and a good friend.
'Okay, go back then and get yourself killed, but what about Connor then?...And what about our baby?...What about me?' Cordy felt she wasn't getting anywhere with he 'it's not you' -technique so she decided a different approach. She knew how much family meant to him.
Angel didn't say anything, just looked up to her, tears in his eyes. This took Spike by surprise. He never imagined his grandsire crying. He'd seen him in love, with Darla, with Buffy and now with Cordelia, but never seen him cry like this. Buffy looked away for a moment. Cordy didn't. She gave Spike the baby, got closer to Angel, and pulled him into an embrace.
'It's been a long time, Angel. And he's had his revenge. True, it's horrible what Angelus and Darla had done back in the days to his family, but it wasn't you. You've been punished enough now, Angel. He's taken away Connor, he made you believe we died, and he's hunted us a while. But it's over now, and we're gonna go home. So stop blaming yourself!'
'I'm sorry' Angel said, breaking free from the embrace, cupping her face with his hands after he brushed away a strand of hair, hanging in her face. Then he brought is face closer to hers, and their lips met in a soft embrace.
*-*-*
A couple hours later they were all standing back in the Hyperion. Wesley, Fred and Willow had deciphered the scroll, and said the magic words that had got them all back to the home-dimension. Connor was fast asleep in his crib, Dawn standing next to him, watching him sleep, waiting 'till the others were through talking so they could all return home. Fred and Gunn had gone off to Gunn's place; Willow, Wesley and Xander were sitting on the couch, joined by Angel and Spike. Nobody really knew what to say, and since everybody was waiting for someone else to say something, it remained awfully quiet.
Buffy and Cordy had gone into the kitchen, in need of some privacy to talk. It was weird, but both agreed on having a little chat.
'So.'
'So.' both said, not really knowing how to start. It was awkward, finding Cordelia speechless.
'Look, I know we haven't always got along.' Cordelia started out.
'I want to sort out the differences.'Buffy began.
Both started laughing, then the little 'you first' discussion began. Finally Cordelia took a deep breath; 'I know we haven't always got along in the past, but I want things to be ok between us now.' Buffy nodded,' and.I hope. we can be. like friends one day too.'
Buffy gave her a little smile, and she was still amazed by the new Cordy. Angel hadn't really mentioned her in their phone-talks, or when he'd come to visit her when her mom had died, or when she'd come back from the dead. She'd seen Cordelia the few times she'd came to visit, when she was in LA with her dad. And she'd still been the same.
'Yeah, me too.' Buffy said, but she knew they were both avoiding the subject why they came in there to talk in the first place.Angel.
'Look, Cordelia. About Angel, you don't have anything to worry about' she said, 'Him and me is over. I've got Spike now. And Angel loves you.'
'Thanks' Cordy said, giving the Slayer a sincere smile.
They then were interrupted by Xander, who knocked politely at the door.
'Had to get some milk.' He said, entering the kitchen. Relief on Cordy and Buffy's faces. Neither of them knew what to say anymore. The most important thing was said. 'He's all yours'.
Cordy stepped up, making Connor's bottle. She was surprised it was Xander who came to get the child's food. Buffy left the kitchen, leaving Cordy and Xander alone.
*-*-*
Angel was standing by the crib, watching how Connor played with the rattle Cordy had bought him in Mexico. He smiled, having his family back together and safe.
'Angel.' a voice behind him said. It was Wesley.
'What do you want?'
'Just to talk to you'
Angel could smell his fear. Wesley was really afraid of him. They hadn't really talked in the other dimension, only the bare necessities were said between them, and both had been avoiding each other.
'Then talk' Angel was brief. He knew what Wesley wanted. He wanted to say he's sorry, wanted forgiveness. He wanted to tell his side of the story, but Angel already knew that one. How Wesley deciphered the words, 'the father will kill the son', and he tried to bring Connor to safety. He failed, and Angel had lost his son.
'I want to say I'm sorry. And I hope you understand.'
'I do' Angel interrupted him, 'And I'll forgive you.'
Wesley looked at him, surprised.
'But I don't trust you.'
Wesley nodded, happily, then left. He knew the conversation was finished. And he knew this was already a lot. Angel was prepared to give him a second chance, but it would need time. He still felt guilt for endangering them all by going to the other dimension. He felt it was his fault. He was the one who had taken Connor away, but the child was back now, and safe. He could start living himself, and learned to accept.
*-*-*
'You're already a trained mom' Xander said, sitting on the table, watching how Cordy warmed the milk. Cordelia turned around, and smiled.
'They're lucky to have you'
'No, I'm lucky to have them'
'So. when's the baby due?'
'Still 6 months to go. why, are you volunteering to be a godfather?'
Xander smiled.
'I'll talk to Angel about it' she smiled. 'You and Buffy for this baby, Fred and Gunn for Connor.' She said, mostly to herself as she took the bottle, checked the temperature and then left the kitchen, leaving a smiling Xander behind.
*-*-* A couple of hours later *-*-*
It was quiet at the Hyperion. Wesley had returned to his apartment, Connor was sleeping and the Scoobies had returned too. Cordy and Angel were on the couch, holding each other, enjoying each other's presence.
'So, you've talked to Buffy?' Angel asked out of curiosity
'Uhu'
'So.'
'What so?'
'Nothing, I just want to know what.'
'She said you're all mine, that I've got nothing to worry about and good luck with the babies'
'Oh.'
Cordy let out a laugh, then hugged him
'That's about the same thing Spike said' he whispered
'What? That you're all mine?' she laughed
'No, about the baby, and us'
She poked him between his ribs 'Au! What was that for?'
'You know, I'm gonna miss them'
Angel's turn to smile. Cordy who's gonna miss the Scoobies? What has happened???
'We could invite them over from time to time' Angel said, placing a soft kiss on her hair. She sighed. 'That'd be nice' She said, before she snuggled herself even better against him, dozing of in a peaceful sleep.
*-¨°¨-*-¨°¨-*
A/N: okay, first sorry for any mistakes in the text. Then a thank you to Horus! And to the ones who send me the 'Great story'-mails and the reviews! That really cheers me up ;o)
Then I'd also like to apologise for mistakes in the timeline. I hadn't seen season 6 of Buffy when I started this story. But to be completely correct the story takes place right after Xander left Anya, Tara and Willow just broke up (she's not all-dark and powerful yet, and Amy isn't in it too)
There, hope that solves some problems.
There's still an epilogue, so keep on reading (and reviewing ;o) )
Greetings,
Aset
