Chapter 5: A blast from the past

Title: What's to come…

Author: Nikka

Rating: General (basically if you're old enough to watch Angel you can read this fanfic).

Disclaimer: Angel characters are not my creation (wish they were) they belong to Joss Wehdon and David Greenwalt. Other characters that are not familiar from the show do belong to me.

Spoilers: Angel season 3.

Summary: This is my version of how Angel season four begins. It starts right after season 3 ended.

Author notes: Hi, this is my first fanfic ever, so be kind. English is not my native tongue so you may find some spelling & grammar mistakes, you're more then welcome to let me know about them but remember you may find them while you read the story.

I still haven't seen Angel season 3 only read summaries so I had to make up a few things I didn't know, just so you'll know. The story begins right after Cordy went up to the sky and Angel to depths of the ocean.

Ho and have fun.

Status: Finished.

Previously on Angel:

At the hotel, Fred asks Gunn if Connor wants to join them for a snack. Gunn says Connor wasn't upstairs. Fred is concerned. She thinks they should probably tell someone. Gunn tells her he hasn't been able to reach either Angel or Cordelia. Fred doesn't think that sounds good. She looks around the empty lobby and wonders where everyone went.
Cordelia continues her journey as the shaft of light lifts her upward. When she reaches the top, there's a bright flash of light, the light shaft and Cordelia disappear, while Angel continues his journey into the depths of the ocean. . (For understanding what's going here you really need to read the first chapters. It's hard to give a preview on them).

That tapping noise drove her mad. "Gunn!" he looked up at Fred.

"Is it possible you can stop doing that"? She asked with a half smile.

"Ho, sorry I didn't even notice".

"I know it's hard but we have to stay focused". Fred tried to cheer him up.

"I know, it's just…" Gunn stopped and came closer to her. He obviously didn't want Angel or Conor to hear what he's about to say.

"Just what"? Fred asked.

"It's just that it's kind of annoying babysitting for them. One is in depression mode the other one can't even talk".

"Would you like me to take the handkerchief off "?

No!" Gunn said quickly.

"O.k. then I guess we don't do anything". Fred replied.

"We promised Cordy. Besides if we let on of them go he'll probably try to kill the other."

Gunn knew she was right. He just nodded for agreement.

The door opened. Gunn jumped up and grabbed the cross bow while Fred took the sword from behind the counter.

"Hey, easy people I come in peace". Lorne smiled.

"Lorne it's so good to see you. Fred ran to him and gave him a big hug.

"I see that things aren't so good". Lorne said with a worried look on his face. He sensed something bad was happening, but after seeing Angel & Conor he knew it was even worse.

"Not really". Gunn said while shacking Lorne's hand.

"I felt something bad is happening but that looks even worse". Lorne said and pointed at Angel and Conor.

"Angel buddy, what happened?" Loren asked him. Till now Angel didn't say a word to Lorne.

"They'll tell you. I'm… I just need to…" He stopped and closed his eyes again.

Fred took Lorne to the back office and explained everything to him.

Gunn could hear from the back a lot of: "Ho my goodness", and some "Get out of here". He knew it was a lot to take in, even for Lorne.

They came back to the lobby and Lorne went straight to Angel while ignoring Conor's presences.

Lorne took a chair and set next to Angel. Angel's eyes were still closed.

"I know you're in a bad place right now but I want to help you. Talk to me".

Angel didn't answer Lorne, he didn't even open his eyes.

"Angel you need to talk to me I can help you, please". Lorne needed Angel to open up to him.

Angel opened his eyes and looked at Lorne.

"You see that's better. I always say look someone straight in the eyes while he's talking it's the best way to know if he's lying. Heck it's better then hearing him sing". Lorne smiled he hopped Angel would too but he didn't.

"Why is it so important to you I'll talk to you. Or maybe…" Angel stopped for a second. He figured it out.

Lorne was glad Angel started to talk. But the look on his face changed. Before he seemed distance but know he looked focused and angry.

"Or is it…. You want me to sing so you will know if I'm Angelus, right?" Lorne didn't answer.

"Right?" Angel asked again this time he raised his voice.

Gunn and Fred got up and came closer to Lorne and Angel.

"You put him up to it, didn't you? You thought it would help? You thought you can make it all better?" This time he asked Fred & Gunn. They too didn't answer him.

Finally Fred spoke. "Angel we wanted to help you we didn't think th…" Angel interrupted her.

"Right! The problem is you didn't think. You never think. You just want things to be fine, right Fred? You just want everyone to get a long."

What's wrong with that?" Fred asked defending herself.

"It's a fairy tale. In the real world not everything is fine and nice, not everyone gets along. I know you've been in a cave for 5 years but I didn't think you'll be that naïve".

Hey! Gunn jumped in. "Don't go there. She was trying to help we all are, so back off'".

"I'm all tided up Gunn. I can't back off more then this". Angel said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean Angel. We know you're in pain but that doesn't give you the right to treat your friends like this".

"Ho, you know how I feel Gunn? Do you know how it feels to look in your son's eyes and see nothing but pure hate? Do you know how it feel's when your friends, the people you call family tie you up cause they're afraid you'll kill them?"

"Angel I'm just saying…" Angel stopped him.

"I'm not finished yet." Angel said. He looked really angry.

By now Lorne had moved away from him and he took Fred away also.

"The worse thing in all of this is to look in your best friend's eyes to look in the eye's of the woman you…" Angel stopped for a moment. Instead of anger you could see hurt and pain. He gasped.

"The worse thing Gunn, is to look at the woman you love and see fear and doubt in her eyes. Fear and doubt you caused. That what kills you inside." Angel stopped he looked shattered.

"So don't tell me you can help me. Don't tell me you know. Cause you don't know when you have someone like her who loves you so much". Angel pointed at Fred.

Gunn lowered his head. He knew deep inside that Angel was right. He had Fred who loved & trusted him. And Angel didn't have it, he only had pain and hurt.

"Leave me alone. You can baby-sit me from a far".

Gunn realized that Angel heard his conversation earlier with Fred.

They all backed away. No one said anything.

Then Fred asked: "He meant Cordy right? Not that other girl with the funny name?"

Gunn and Lorne just gave her look.

"What?! I just wanted to be sure."

Cordy finally got up. Her eyes were red from crying. She didn't know how long she cried. It seemed like forever. She was so strong for so long but now she finally broke down and cried. She cried for every thing that happened. She cried for Angel and Conor, she cried for herself.

"I have to go and find her she probably left here already. She wouldn't risk me finding her again". Cordy said coldly to Carol. As hard as she tried she couldn't understand what made Carol let Justine go.

"I know what you're thinking and not because I read your mind because I read your face". Cordy didn't say anything.

"I knew that if I kept her from going she'll ran away from here, and that's a good thing." Carol tried to explain her actions.

"Yeah. A good thing for you maybe but not for me". Cordy said angrily.

"No1 It's good for you too."

Cordy seemed confused.

"The moment she left, she lost my protection. You see this way she's vulnerable."

"And what good those it do if I don't know where she is". Cordy asked doubtfully.

"But you do know. Think hard where would she go? What motivates her?" Carol hopped Cordy will understand what she's saying.

"Look if you know where she is just tell me"! Cordy was loosing her patience.

"I can't. I can only guide you. If you open your mind you'll figure it out yourself". Carol kept pushing.

" Fine I'll play along. You asked what drives Justine?"

"That's right, keep going Cordelia." Carol was encouraging her.

"Hate. That's what motivates her. That and revenge".

"Good. And where will she find both?" Carol knew that Cordy was close.

Cordy closed her eye and tried to think like Justine would.

Suddenly she opened her eyes. "Ho my god! The Hotel.

I'm sorry Carol I have to go. Right now!"

Cordy ran out of the room and just before she left she looked at Carol and said: "Thank you".

Carol smiled at her and waved goodbye.

After Cordy left Carol turned and faced the curtain. "I hope you know what you're doing?"

"Don't worry you did you're part that's all you need to know."

A man walked out from behind the curtain.

"The powers will be in touch. And remember I was never here.

Carol nodded her head.

The man turned and started walking towards the door.

"Wait! What if she comes back? What should I do then?" Carol looked scared.

"You call me". The man replied.

"I don't have your number mister…?" it seemed Carol didn't know his name.

The man took out a business card and handed it to Carol.

"Thank you mister…". Carol stopped and looked at the card.

"Mr. McDonald".

The man looked at her and said: "Call me Lindsey, everybody does."

To be continued…