Chapter 13
It took only seconds for Angel to get from his room to Journey's. When he got there, he saw Cordelia holding Journey tight. Journey noticed his father right away. "Dad!"
Angel rushed over to embrace his son. It'd been so long since he'd hugged Journey and got hugged in return. "Journey! I've missed you so much."
Journey made a face. "Aww, Dad. Don't get all mushy. That's Cordy's job."
Angel grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Are you all right? Can you move everything okay?"
"Yes. Geez, what's with you people? I wasn't out THAT long."
Cordelia and Angel exchanged a look.
Journey caught it. "Have I?"
"You've been out for 2 years." Cordelia informed him.
"2 years?! No wonder you two have such sad, unhappy looks on your faces. It's amazing that you even got through 2 years without me. They must have been very boring, uninteresting years."
Angel looked away. "You'd be surprised."
Cordelia ignored him as usual. "So, you're okay, Journey? Can you see? Can you walk?"
"I'm telling you, I'm fine! I can see. I can walk, though not very well. I think my leg muscles are a bit weakened." Journey paused. "Okay, got stuff to tell."
"What's that?" Cordelia asked, repositioning herself on Journey's bed. "Tell us."
"When I was out, I was shown lots of things. Like for one thing... " He trailed off, looking around the room. He grabbed a newly sharpened pencil from his bedside table. Handing it to his father, he said boldy, "Stab me."
"Excuse me."
Journey rolled his eyes. "You heard me. Now come on! Just take it and jab it through my chest. I promise you, it'll be fun." Angel merely stared at him as if he'd just sprouted two heads. "Okay, fine." Journey sighed dramatically. "I'll do it." He took the pencil, sharpened end facing him, and thrust it in the heart region of his chest.
"Journey, no!" Cordelia and Angel both cried out at once.
But he ignored them and continued to shove the lead-filled pencil through his chest. Journey winced. "Uh-ow!" He exclaimed. "That hurt more than they said it would."
"Well, you just shoved a pencil through your pericardium. I'm sure it would at least sting a little." Angel grabbed Journey's arm and turned to Cordelia. "Might as well call a doctor. I knew his waking up was too good to be true. I mean, look at him. He's delirious!"
"No. Dad. Okay? I'm all right. See?" He grabbed the pencil and yanked it out swiftly. Immediately the hole began to close. And once the skin was smooth and holeless, Journey looked up at them. "See? All better." He wen ton. "And that's not all. Are you ready? I can NEVER die. Okay, well, someday. Maybe. You know when I have a worthy successor and all that."
"Where did you learn all this?" Cordelia asked, amazed.
"From Skip. He taught me lotsa things."
The name sounded familiar to Angel. "Skip? Is he very.. metal-ly?"
"Yeah! He said you may remember him. Anyway, I'll tell you guys everything else later. But right now, we've got bigger demons to slay. For example, where's Caden?"
"He's gone." Angel said at the exact same time Cordelia told Journey, "He's dead."
"Dead?" Journey repeated. "Dead? That's.. well, basically, that's impossible." He said to them, looking from his Dad to Cordy and back again.
Cordelia visibly stiffened and scooted away from Angel on the bed. "It IS possible, Journey. All right? He's dead. Your father took care of that."
Angel closed his eyes and let his shoulders drop. Obviously, he'd have to live with this for the rest of his life on top of all the other guilt he was feeling for the centuries of being a killing machine.
Journey shook his head sadly. "Dad, tell her." When Angel made no move to say anything, Journey wen ton. "Cordelia, he's not dead. He never died that day."
"What--?"
"Let me finish. Remember how I always though he was an evil psychopath? Well, turns out, I was right. In fact, that evil bastard wanted to kill me of all people!"
"Hey! Watch your language, demon child." Cordy scolded. "I know you mean well, but I'm not sure I believe you, sweetheart. You've always had an active imagination."
"But Cordelia, you HAVE to believe me. All right? Bad things will happen if you don't."
"Bad things? J, what do you mean?" Angel asked, growing more and more concerned by the minute.
He turned to Angel. "He's not dead, Dad. You know that already. You know how he got up after that fall and how he ran away."
"Yes. I do know that, Journey. Now, what of it?"
"He's coming back. He's going to try again."
"Try again what? I mean, you said it yourself: you can't die." Cordelia interrupted. She was beginning to get confused.
And Journey was beginning to lose his patience. Sighing audibly, he turned to his father. "Damn, Dad! Don't you tell her anything?"
"Journey Alan Chase, you are so grounded." Cordy reprimanded. "You need your little mouth washed out with soap, I swear!"
"Don't say crap like that anymore, Journey. Not until you're 18." Angel added. He turned towards Cordelia, although Cordy made no move to face him. "There's an elixir that the Powers keep. Apparently, it's the only thing that can kill Journey."
"Yep!" Journey beamed. "I'm invincible!"
Angel shook his head. "Don't get that kind of attitude about it, Journey. Now, when is Caden coming? And does he have the elixir?"
"In a few days, and yes. He stole it from the Powers a few days ago."
"No! Okay, just stop it!" Cordelia interjected. "I want the two of you to get something straight. Caden. Is. Dead. My husband is dead. Angel let him die. And I don't appreciate you saying that he's roaming the earth when he's not. It's morbid and rude."
"You never saw him dead and there was never a burial. Number one rule of soap operas, Cordelia, if you don't see a body, the person's NOT dead. So chill out, Cordy."
"Journey, listen to me-"
"No, YOU listen to ME. My dad did not 'kill' your precious, evil husband. All right? So quit blaming and accusing him of something he had zero control over. My father did nothing wrong. And you know what? Caden IS alive, whether you choose to believe it or not."
"I don't."
"Well, maybe, when he busts through the doors downstairs and marches up here and kills me, you'll think otherwise."
Cordy's eyes flashed with anger and she stood up abruptly. "Like father, like son. Just because you hate someone doesn't mean you can continue to attack that person even in death. Just let him rest in peace, all right?" She looked at both of them, a disgusted look gracing her face. "I've heard enough. And I've HAD enough---of both of you." Glaring at them one last time, she turned and stalked out of the room.
"Well, THAT went well." Journey noted.
"Yeah. Well, welcome to my world."
"Aww.. I sorry, Dad." Journey gave him a quick hug. "Now go downstairs and fix me somethin' to eat!"
"No, J. You're a big boy now. You're ten years old. You can fix it yourself." Angel told him. "Besides, you probably have more to tell me... right?"
Journey sighed. "Okay, fine. I'll fill you in, but then it's eating time, okay?"
Journey didn't wait for an answer before he began to tell him all that he'd learned in his two years of absence.
___
An hour or so later, Angel helped a wobbly Journey into the downstairs kitchen. He picked up his son and placed him on the countertop. "Okay, so I call this number, right?"
"Hey! Not until you feed me!"
Angel rolled his eyes, but opened a nearby cabinet and pulled out a jar of peanut butter. He tossed it to Journey. "Here you go."
Journey caught it. "Wow-Dad, you're such an amazing father! Taking care of me like this... you should win the Dad of the Year award. I mean, really."
"Shut up, okay? I want to get this over and done with. I want you to be safe, all right."
"Fine, fine." Journey opened the peanut butter jar. "Do I at least get a spoon, or some bread?"
"If you get it yourself."
Journey looked at his father. "Nah." He looked at his hand and then looked back at his father. "I'll be all right." He said, plunging his right hand into the sticky peanut butter. He pulled it back out, and licked the gooey stuff off his fingers. "Hey! This is good."
"Okay, so Skip told you to have me call this number, and this guy could tell me about Caden, right?" Angel asked as he picked up the phone.
"Yep." Journey replied. He was a sight to see, sitting there on the kitchen countertop in his pajamas, peanut butter smeared all over his face. He licked his lips. "Mmm! Peanut butter is yum-my!"
Angel threw his son a towel, as well as a disgusted look. "Don't get that everywhere. And I'd like to remind you of the fact that you're ten years old and you were not raised in a barn."
Journey made a face. "You're just mad that you can't taste this. Ha! And you know what? I got gypped along the way. I have to make up for being eight and nine before I can suddenly be ten." Journey paused. "Hey.. where's the rest of the gang?"
"Wesley left early because he and Fred and the kids are taking off for a vacation weekend, and who knows where Gunn and Faith are. You are aware that it's Valentine's Day, aren't you?"
"I am now. So, uh, where's Lorne?"
At that moment, Lorne swung into the kitchen. "Hey, are you talking to yourself about me again, Angel? And just so you know, lil' Journey is a-" He noticed Journey's sticky self sitting there in the kitchen. "Oh, there you are! I was wondering where you'd gotten off to."
"Lorne! I've missed you." Journey cried out.
"Just look at you... all alive now-walkin', talkin', and eatin' what looks like peanut butter."
"Want some?" Journey held out his jar.
Lorne could just imagine that sticky-ness all over his new blue suit. "No.. uh, that's okay, kiddo. Not much of a peanut butter man myself. Mix a little rum in and MAYBE..." Lorne trailed off. "Anyway, so guess what came while you were sleeping?" He asked as he walked to the refrigerator door and pulled out a carton of milk.
Journey took in another handful of the peanut butter. "What? What is it?"
"Drum roll, please." Lorne said, handing the carton to Journey. "A new karoake machine."
"Whoo hoo!" Journey exclaimed after taking a big gulp of milk.
"Yeah, exactly. So, I was thinking we could sing the night away.. you know start out with a little Diana Ross and then move onto some Aretha. Whaddayasay?"
"As long as we can sing 'Respect', I'm in."
Angel covered the mouthpiece on the phone. "Can you two please shut up? Can't you see I'm on the phone here?"
Lorne rolled his eyes. "Guess some people just don't appreciate the classics."
"I agree." Journey replied.
Angel glared at them. "I'm not going to ask you guys again." Angel turned his back to them, trying to listen. "Yes, can I speak with Lindsay, please? Yes."
Lorne grabbed Journey by the arm and helped him off the counter. "Why don't you go get cleaned up? And then we can fill this house with soul!"
Journey left behind his peanut butter and followed Lorne out of the kitchen. Angel was thankful for the silence. It was hard enough to make this call without some hooligans screaming in the background. He hadn't talked to Lindsay.. in well.. a decade at least.
He heard someone pick up the phone on the other end.
"This is Lindsay." It'd been years, but the guy's voice hadn't changed.
"Hello Lindsay. Do you happen to remember who this is?"
He must have recognized the voice because just as Angel finished his sentence, Lindsay said, "No! No way. How did you get this number?"
"An investigator never reveals their sources. Anyway, I need your help."
"That's journalists. And who's to say I'll ever help you?"
"I just need you to tell me about a man."
"Well, too bad. Just leave me alone and never call here again."
"Lindsay... wait. How's your hand doing these days?" He heard Lindsay sigh. "You know, the evil hand. The one I helped you find out information about?"
There was a pause. "What do you want to know?"
"Ever heard of a man named Caden Michaels?"
"Caden? Yeah, we went to law school together. His dad was one of the senior partners of Wolfram & Hart. Why?"
Angel swallowed hard. And Cordy had been married to that man?! "He's after my son. Do you know anything else about him?"
"Wait-you have a child now? Are you human?"
"No."
"Then how the he---- er, how did that happen?"
"Long story. Do you know anything else about Caden?" Angel repeated.
"Um.. I think his father was half demon."
"You think?!"
"I'm pretty sure he was. He wasn't a vampire or anything. But he was half demon. Because when we were interning at Wolfram & Hart one summer, Caden was telling me about he was a quarter demon..." There was voice in the background and Lindsay paused. "Okay, sweetheart, Daddy'll be there in just a second."
"You have a child now?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, so? I'm not evil.. I just have an evil hand. Are we done here?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Your welcome."
Angel hung up the phone and went to find Lorne and his son.
* * *
He found them in Lorne's quarters, singing their hearts out. It took them a few moments to notice he was even there, and when they finished belting out the last strains to some Billie Holiday song, he interrupted. "Lorne, you didn't happen to see Cordelia leave, did you?"
"Uh, yes, I did."
"Okay, do you know if she took a cab? Or my car?"
Lorne shook his head firmly. "No. She walked."
"All right. Maybe I can make it to her house before she does." He paused before going out the door. "Do you mind watching Journey?"
"No problem. He's the best back-up singer a guy could ask for."
"Thanks." Angel turned to leave.
"Dad..." Journey had picked up in the urgency in his father's voice. "Is something wrong?"
Angel looked at him. "Don't worry about it, rockstar. Everything will turn out okay." He left the room, muttering, "God, I hope that's true."
____
"C'mon Dennis! Open up!" She said quietly for the sixth time. Searching through her bag for her keys, Cordelia just realized how glad she was to have kept this apartment throughout her marriage to Caden. It had become her safe haven-her place to get away from it all. Plus, she'd never gotten used to living in Caden's huge house. And so, after his death, she'd moved back home to Dennis.
Finding her keys, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside to a... darkened apartment. "Dennis?" It was so odd. Dennis usually unlocked the door for her and turned on a few lights. But tonight, nothing. She must have done something to make him mad.
"Dennis, I'm sorry. Whatever I -" She stopped. The room felt.. different. The air felt different-full of electricity, full of sparks. Something was VERY wrong.
She hadn't turned on a light yet, and for that, she was thankful. She began to back up slowly to the closed door behind her, looking wildly around in the dark until her body suddenly hit something. But it wasn't the door that she hit-it was a person. A person who immediately wrapped his arm around her face so she couldn't scream. A person who leaned in and whispered loudly in her ear.
"Honey.. I'm home!"
TBC
Author's Note: I'll be out of town for a few days, but I'll try to write while I'm away and post a new part when I get back. Thanks for all the support/feedback! :) You guys R-O-C-K!! :)
It took only seconds for Angel to get from his room to Journey's. When he got there, he saw Cordelia holding Journey tight. Journey noticed his father right away. "Dad!"
Angel rushed over to embrace his son. It'd been so long since he'd hugged Journey and got hugged in return. "Journey! I've missed you so much."
Journey made a face. "Aww, Dad. Don't get all mushy. That's Cordy's job."
Angel grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Are you all right? Can you move everything okay?"
"Yes. Geez, what's with you people? I wasn't out THAT long."
Cordelia and Angel exchanged a look.
Journey caught it. "Have I?"
"You've been out for 2 years." Cordelia informed him.
"2 years?! No wonder you two have such sad, unhappy looks on your faces. It's amazing that you even got through 2 years without me. They must have been very boring, uninteresting years."
Angel looked away. "You'd be surprised."
Cordelia ignored him as usual. "So, you're okay, Journey? Can you see? Can you walk?"
"I'm telling you, I'm fine! I can see. I can walk, though not very well. I think my leg muscles are a bit weakened." Journey paused. "Okay, got stuff to tell."
"What's that?" Cordelia asked, repositioning herself on Journey's bed. "Tell us."
"When I was out, I was shown lots of things. Like for one thing... " He trailed off, looking around the room. He grabbed a newly sharpened pencil from his bedside table. Handing it to his father, he said boldy, "Stab me."
"Excuse me."
Journey rolled his eyes. "You heard me. Now come on! Just take it and jab it through my chest. I promise you, it'll be fun." Angel merely stared at him as if he'd just sprouted two heads. "Okay, fine." Journey sighed dramatically. "I'll do it." He took the pencil, sharpened end facing him, and thrust it in the heart region of his chest.
"Journey, no!" Cordelia and Angel both cried out at once.
But he ignored them and continued to shove the lead-filled pencil through his chest. Journey winced. "Uh-ow!" He exclaimed. "That hurt more than they said it would."
"Well, you just shoved a pencil through your pericardium. I'm sure it would at least sting a little." Angel grabbed Journey's arm and turned to Cordelia. "Might as well call a doctor. I knew his waking up was too good to be true. I mean, look at him. He's delirious!"
"No. Dad. Okay? I'm all right. See?" He grabbed the pencil and yanked it out swiftly. Immediately the hole began to close. And once the skin was smooth and holeless, Journey looked up at them. "See? All better." He wen ton. "And that's not all. Are you ready? I can NEVER die. Okay, well, someday. Maybe. You know when I have a worthy successor and all that."
"Where did you learn all this?" Cordelia asked, amazed.
"From Skip. He taught me lotsa things."
The name sounded familiar to Angel. "Skip? Is he very.. metal-ly?"
"Yeah! He said you may remember him. Anyway, I'll tell you guys everything else later. But right now, we've got bigger demons to slay. For example, where's Caden?"
"He's gone." Angel said at the exact same time Cordelia told Journey, "He's dead."
"Dead?" Journey repeated. "Dead? That's.. well, basically, that's impossible." He said to them, looking from his Dad to Cordy and back again.
Cordelia visibly stiffened and scooted away from Angel on the bed. "It IS possible, Journey. All right? He's dead. Your father took care of that."
Angel closed his eyes and let his shoulders drop. Obviously, he'd have to live with this for the rest of his life on top of all the other guilt he was feeling for the centuries of being a killing machine.
Journey shook his head sadly. "Dad, tell her." When Angel made no move to say anything, Journey wen ton. "Cordelia, he's not dead. He never died that day."
"What--?"
"Let me finish. Remember how I always though he was an evil psychopath? Well, turns out, I was right. In fact, that evil bastard wanted to kill me of all people!"
"Hey! Watch your language, demon child." Cordy scolded. "I know you mean well, but I'm not sure I believe you, sweetheart. You've always had an active imagination."
"But Cordelia, you HAVE to believe me. All right? Bad things will happen if you don't."
"Bad things? J, what do you mean?" Angel asked, growing more and more concerned by the minute.
He turned to Angel. "He's not dead, Dad. You know that already. You know how he got up after that fall and how he ran away."
"Yes. I do know that, Journey. Now, what of it?"
"He's coming back. He's going to try again."
"Try again what? I mean, you said it yourself: you can't die." Cordelia interrupted. She was beginning to get confused.
And Journey was beginning to lose his patience. Sighing audibly, he turned to his father. "Damn, Dad! Don't you tell her anything?"
"Journey Alan Chase, you are so grounded." Cordy reprimanded. "You need your little mouth washed out with soap, I swear!"
"Don't say crap like that anymore, Journey. Not until you're 18." Angel added. He turned towards Cordelia, although Cordy made no move to face him. "There's an elixir that the Powers keep. Apparently, it's the only thing that can kill Journey."
"Yep!" Journey beamed. "I'm invincible!"
Angel shook his head. "Don't get that kind of attitude about it, Journey. Now, when is Caden coming? And does he have the elixir?"
"In a few days, and yes. He stole it from the Powers a few days ago."
"No! Okay, just stop it!" Cordelia interjected. "I want the two of you to get something straight. Caden. Is. Dead. My husband is dead. Angel let him die. And I don't appreciate you saying that he's roaming the earth when he's not. It's morbid and rude."
"You never saw him dead and there was never a burial. Number one rule of soap operas, Cordelia, if you don't see a body, the person's NOT dead. So chill out, Cordy."
"Journey, listen to me-"
"No, YOU listen to ME. My dad did not 'kill' your precious, evil husband. All right? So quit blaming and accusing him of something he had zero control over. My father did nothing wrong. And you know what? Caden IS alive, whether you choose to believe it or not."
"I don't."
"Well, maybe, when he busts through the doors downstairs and marches up here and kills me, you'll think otherwise."
Cordy's eyes flashed with anger and she stood up abruptly. "Like father, like son. Just because you hate someone doesn't mean you can continue to attack that person even in death. Just let him rest in peace, all right?" She looked at both of them, a disgusted look gracing her face. "I've heard enough. And I've HAD enough---of both of you." Glaring at them one last time, she turned and stalked out of the room.
"Well, THAT went well." Journey noted.
"Yeah. Well, welcome to my world."
"Aww.. I sorry, Dad." Journey gave him a quick hug. "Now go downstairs and fix me somethin' to eat!"
"No, J. You're a big boy now. You're ten years old. You can fix it yourself." Angel told him. "Besides, you probably have more to tell me... right?"
Journey sighed. "Okay, fine. I'll fill you in, but then it's eating time, okay?"
Journey didn't wait for an answer before he began to tell him all that he'd learned in his two years of absence.
___
An hour or so later, Angel helped a wobbly Journey into the downstairs kitchen. He picked up his son and placed him on the countertop. "Okay, so I call this number, right?"
"Hey! Not until you feed me!"
Angel rolled his eyes, but opened a nearby cabinet and pulled out a jar of peanut butter. He tossed it to Journey. "Here you go."
Journey caught it. "Wow-Dad, you're such an amazing father! Taking care of me like this... you should win the Dad of the Year award. I mean, really."
"Shut up, okay? I want to get this over and done with. I want you to be safe, all right."
"Fine, fine." Journey opened the peanut butter jar. "Do I at least get a spoon, or some bread?"
"If you get it yourself."
Journey looked at his father. "Nah." He looked at his hand and then looked back at his father. "I'll be all right." He said, plunging his right hand into the sticky peanut butter. He pulled it back out, and licked the gooey stuff off his fingers. "Hey! This is good."
"Okay, so Skip told you to have me call this number, and this guy could tell me about Caden, right?" Angel asked as he picked up the phone.
"Yep." Journey replied. He was a sight to see, sitting there on the kitchen countertop in his pajamas, peanut butter smeared all over his face. He licked his lips. "Mmm! Peanut butter is yum-my!"
Angel threw his son a towel, as well as a disgusted look. "Don't get that everywhere. And I'd like to remind you of the fact that you're ten years old and you were not raised in a barn."
Journey made a face. "You're just mad that you can't taste this. Ha! And you know what? I got gypped along the way. I have to make up for being eight and nine before I can suddenly be ten." Journey paused. "Hey.. where's the rest of the gang?"
"Wesley left early because he and Fred and the kids are taking off for a vacation weekend, and who knows where Gunn and Faith are. You are aware that it's Valentine's Day, aren't you?"
"I am now. So, uh, where's Lorne?"
At that moment, Lorne swung into the kitchen. "Hey, are you talking to yourself about me again, Angel? And just so you know, lil' Journey is a-" He noticed Journey's sticky self sitting there in the kitchen. "Oh, there you are! I was wondering where you'd gotten off to."
"Lorne! I've missed you." Journey cried out.
"Just look at you... all alive now-walkin', talkin', and eatin' what looks like peanut butter."
"Want some?" Journey held out his jar.
Lorne could just imagine that sticky-ness all over his new blue suit. "No.. uh, that's okay, kiddo. Not much of a peanut butter man myself. Mix a little rum in and MAYBE..." Lorne trailed off. "Anyway, so guess what came while you were sleeping?" He asked as he walked to the refrigerator door and pulled out a carton of milk.
Journey took in another handful of the peanut butter. "What? What is it?"
"Drum roll, please." Lorne said, handing the carton to Journey. "A new karoake machine."
"Whoo hoo!" Journey exclaimed after taking a big gulp of milk.
"Yeah, exactly. So, I was thinking we could sing the night away.. you know start out with a little Diana Ross and then move onto some Aretha. Whaddayasay?"
"As long as we can sing 'Respect', I'm in."
Angel covered the mouthpiece on the phone. "Can you two please shut up? Can't you see I'm on the phone here?"
Lorne rolled his eyes. "Guess some people just don't appreciate the classics."
"I agree." Journey replied.
Angel glared at them. "I'm not going to ask you guys again." Angel turned his back to them, trying to listen. "Yes, can I speak with Lindsay, please? Yes."
Lorne grabbed Journey by the arm and helped him off the counter. "Why don't you go get cleaned up? And then we can fill this house with soul!"
Journey left behind his peanut butter and followed Lorne out of the kitchen. Angel was thankful for the silence. It was hard enough to make this call without some hooligans screaming in the background. He hadn't talked to Lindsay.. in well.. a decade at least.
He heard someone pick up the phone on the other end.
"This is Lindsay." It'd been years, but the guy's voice hadn't changed.
"Hello Lindsay. Do you happen to remember who this is?"
He must have recognized the voice because just as Angel finished his sentence, Lindsay said, "No! No way. How did you get this number?"
"An investigator never reveals their sources. Anyway, I need your help."
"That's journalists. And who's to say I'll ever help you?"
"I just need you to tell me about a man."
"Well, too bad. Just leave me alone and never call here again."
"Lindsay... wait. How's your hand doing these days?" He heard Lindsay sigh. "You know, the evil hand. The one I helped you find out information about?"
There was a pause. "What do you want to know?"
"Ever heard of a man named Caden Michaels?"
"Caden? Yeah, we went to law school together. His dad was one of the senior partners of Wolfram & Hart. Why?"
Angel swallowed hard. And Cordy had been married to that man?! "He's after my son. Do you know anything else about him?"
"Wait-you have a child now? Are you human?"
"No."
"Then how the he---- er, how did that happen?"
"Long story. Do you know anything else about Caden?" Angel repeated.
"Um.. I think his father was half demon."
"You think?!"
"I'm pretty sure he was. He wasn't a vampire or anything. But he was half demon. Because when we were interning at Wolfram & Hart one summer, Caden was telling me about he was a quarter demon..." There was voice in the background and Lindsay paused. "Okay, sweetheart, Daddy'll be there in just a second."
"You have a child now?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, so? I'm not evil.. I just have an evil hand. Are we done here?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
"Your welcome."
Angel hung up the phone and went to find Lorne and his son.
* * *
He found them in Lorne's quarters, singing their hearts out. It took them a few moments to notice he was even there, and when they finished belting out the last strains to some Billie Holiday song, he interrupted. "Lorne, you didn't happen to see Cordelia leave, did you?"
"Uh, yes, I did."
"Okay, do you know if she took a cab? Or my car?"
Lorne shook his head firmly. "No. She walked."
"All right. Maybe I can make it to her house before she does." He paused before going out the door. "Do you mind watching Journey?"
"No problem. He's the best back-up singer a guy could ask for."
"Thanks." Angel turned to leave.
"Dad..." Journey had picked up in the urgency in his father's voice. "Is something wrong?"
Angel looked at him. "Don't worry about it, rockstar. Everything will turn out okay." He left the room, muttering, "God, I hope that's true."
____
"C'mon Dennis! Open up!" She said quietly for the sixth time. Searching through her bag for her keys, Cordelia just realized how glad she was to have kept this apartment throughout her marriage to Caden. It had become her safe haven-her place to get away from it all. Plus, she'd never gotten used to living in Caden's huge house. And so, after his death, she'd moved back home to Dennis.
Finding her keys, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside to a... darkened apartment. "Dennis?" It was so odd. Dennis usually unlocked the door for her and turned on a few lights. But tonight, nothing. She must have done something to make him mad.
"Dennis, I'm sorry. Whatever I -" She stopped. The room felt.. different. The air felt different-full of electricity, full of sparks. Something was VERY wrong.
She hadn't turned on a light yet, and for that, she was thankful. She began to back up slowly to the closed door behind her, looking wildly around in the dark until her body suddenly hit something. But it wasn't the door that she hit-it was a person. A person who immediately wrapped his arm around her face so she couldn't scream. A person who leaned in and whispered loudly in her ear.
"Honey.. I'm home!"
TBC
Author's Note: I'll be out of town for a few days, but I'll try to write while I'm away and post a new part when I get back. Thanks for all the support/feedback! :) You guys R-O-C-K!! :)