A/N- Where did all my reviewers go? I'm not one to make idle threats...if you stop giving me feedback I'm gonna start thinking that you don't want me to write anymore... That goes for anything I write now or in the future... You've really gotta tell me what you're thinkin' ppl... :) Meanwhile, for those of you who *have* given me their feedback, I'm truly grateful. Please, everyone, enjoy my fic...or at least read it...then REVIEW... ^_^
******************************
And here comes the vampire slayer. We've all been seated around the lobby, in various places and positions, waiting patiently (okay, some of us not so patiently) for her to grace us with her presence. We really need to start getting our strategies together, but it was virtually impossible to do without two of their best fighters.
Yep, that's right, Spike hasn't come down stairs yet either. Of course, putting that to the fact that he's a vampire, a creature of the *night*, its understandable that he's not a morning person.
Angel used to be the same...but that was before Connor. Now he's up bright and early so he doesn't miss a second of his son's life. I hope...no... I *know* Lindsey's gonna be just as great a dad. It's obvious. Unless I'm misinterpreting his actions and stuff...no...he loves me and he wants this baby as much as I do. I know it.
Buffy smiles at everyone. "Good morning." She chirps in an over-the-top cheery manner. "Have you already had breakfast?"
We all nod. Fred motions towards the kitchen door. "Just help yourself. I think we've got some cereal and toast and stuff."
"But if you like milk in your coffee..." Angel adds, walking out of the kitchen cradling Connor, "...Don't expect any `cos *this* little one just drained the last of it." He nuzzles his head towards the baby, who giggles happily. "Yes he did. Yes he did." Angel coos in a singsong kinda voice, you know...the type that most people use on babies...
I watch the various Scooby reactions. It's amusing to see Angel like this, talking baby talk, but everyone here in LA is used to it. The Scoobies, however, are a different story.
Xander's jaw slackens and he's at a loss for words (which is a new thing for Xander...). Willow smiles brightly, already used to the idea like the fang gang are. Tara doesn't know Angel like the rest of them, so she doesn't find it strange in the least. Anya seems to be looking from the baby, to Angel, then at Xander, back to the baby and then Xander again...her eyes gleaming with the look of a child that's just spied a new novelty or toy. But Buffy stands still, almost in shock. Her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. I look around at anyone else that might be finding her reaction as funny as I do...Nope. No such luck.
Angel stops, suddenly aware of the silence in the room and all eyes on him. "What?" He looks over his shoulders and even turns in a full circle. "What are you all looking at?" He repeats. Then, at the look on Buffy's face, it dawns on him. "Oh...I see. Me doing the baby-talk thing..." He chuckles, looking at Gunn and I. "I've been told it's a...uh... *new* look..."
"But..." I chime in, "...You get used to it. Its actually kinda cute."
Lindsey prods me playfully. "Ahem?"
"I mean...never mind." I grin sheepishly and kiss him. He seems content with my response `cos he wraps his arms around my soon-to-expand waist and draws me back into his lap. I snuggle against his chest happily.
By now Spike has made his entrance and spied Connor in Angel's arms. "Ah...so *that's* the new little `bit. He moves forwards towards Angel, extending his arms slightly. "Can I hold `im?"
Angel draws back protectively. Spike smiles. "Aww...c'mon...he's like...my uncle or somethin'...we're family...Please? I can't hurt him. Not that I'd even want to...Please?"
Angel shoots me a nervous glance. In a way, I'm Connor's mother figure. In Angel's eyes, I guess I might as well be the baby's mom. I love him just as much as if he was my own, and that's not gonna change. Not ever.
I nod with a smile. Angel's still uncertain, but he gives up and gives his son to the other vampire. Spike is enchanted by the tiny bundle, cooing and pulling faces for him. The baby giggles and gurgles at his new found friend. Angel looms protectively over the two of them, making sure that nothing bad can happen.
I let out a snort of laughter, at which Angel snaps his attention towards me. "I'm sorry," I giggle at him, "But you should see the look on your face...its so funny. You know as well as I do that Spike's not gonna do anything...Let go of the over-protective bug..."
He smirks. "Wait `till you have your kid..."
"Angel, Connor is like having my own...I love him the same way as I'm gonna love my baby...but right now, he's safe. Hence the me *not* worrying..." I smile, lightening the mood again, "But, seeing how efficient you are with the over-protection thing...I think I've found a babysitter for the future..."
His eyes widen. "Oh no you don't. Looking after the one is enough. Plus, on what Wesley pays, you couldn't afford me..."
"Hey!" The ex-watcher/ex-rogue demon hunter, butts in. "Leave me out of it. And for your information, what *I* pay is better than what you..." He's addressing Angel, "...ever did."
"Its less." Angel pouts lightheartedly.
We laugh, and I realise that everyone else has started chattering away again. It's actually nice to see everyone getting along as well as they are. Even better that nobody is trying to rip each others throats out...
Buffy is even starting to talk to Angel. "He...he's adorable." She manages. I tune out of their discussion `cos somewhere along the lines I've learnt to not eves-drop. Not on personal conversations anyway. A good gossip session is sooo different.
Instead I flick my attention towards Anya and Lorne, who seem to be gossiping about demons that they both used to know. That's boring to me `cos I don't know who they're gossiping about. Next is a conversation between Willow, Fred, Tara and Wesley, which I can't follow either `cos its about brainiac kinda stuff.
And then there's Gunn, Xander, Spike and Lindsey. Fighting and babies are their choice topics. Two which I don't think should be affiliated with each other under any circumstance. And I'm back to the Wesley speak...
"He's a little angel, isn't he?" I ask Spike. "...pun intended."
The peroxided vamp laughs and seats himself down on the couch, next to Lindsey and I. "Yeah, that he is." He looks Connor over, while he tickles his toes. "Looks just like Peaches, too."
Gunn breaks into a huge grin. "Peaches, huh?"
"Spike has nicknames for everyone." Xander informs him, eyeing Spike wearily. "Some of which he has been told *not* to use on certain construction workers...namely me."
"Glorified bricklayer." Spike mumbles, then looks back down at the baby in his arms. "You're gonna be the new l'il `bit. `Kay?" Connor gurgles his acceptance and snuggles up against Spike, falling asleep.
"What other names have ya got for people?" Gunn queries, clearly interested now. He loves a good laugh every now and then.
"Let me think..." Spike says. "...Well, Peaches, I mean, *Angel* is also known as nancy boy, the poofter, poof...ummm..."
"Dead boy." Xander reminds him.
Gunn bursts into laughter. "I gotta remember some of them...what about the others?"
"Well...there's Slayer. There's an obvious one for you. Uh, and Red...that's Will. And Nibblet; she's the slayer's little sis... The glorified bricklayer here...Rupert, The Librarian or Ripper...Giles hates bein' called those by me... Our annoying cheerleader friend, who isn't quite so annoying, or even a cheerleader anymore...so I'll need a new one for you," Spike says, looking at me. "Demon girl, the glorified bri...I mean, Xander's fiancé...And witch number 2; Red's girlfriend. I think that's about it."
Gunn has tears of laughter streaming down his face. Lindsey looks amused as well. "Now you gotta make up some new ones for Fred, Gunn, Lindsey, Lorne, Wes and me..." I state, also chuckling at Spike.
"Okay...lets see. Well, Lorne's easy; `Green'. That one's obvious. Not, not because he's green, but also because `Lorne Green' sounds" He pauses at the blank looks on some of our faces "...let me guess...you guys didn't ever watch Bonanza..." I shake my head, as do Gunn and Xander.
"I get it." Lindsey smirks.
"Good. At least someone does...umm...well, you can be known as `evil-lawyer'" He stops when Lindsey shakes his head. "No?"
"Hey!" Xander complains. "How come he gets a choice?"
"'Cos I happen to like the guy...whereas *you* still keep tryin' to stake me. When I like you, I might give you a choice. Now...what *can* I call you...?" He asks himself, turning back to face Lindsey.
"Lindsey's fine." He tells the vampire.
"Nonsense. You need a nickname. How `bout..." Connor stirs in his arms. He looks down at the baby, then at Lindsey and then at Lindsey's arms around my waist. He smiles softly. "Lucky?"
Whoa...hold on a sec. Back up even. Was Spike just being...sincere and friendly and...*sad*? Did he just look longingly at what Lindsey and I have and are gonna share?
Then again, Spike's always been different. Even without a soul, he's had the uncanny ability to love...But what...I mean, *who* can he be in love with now? What does he feel he's missing?
"Yeah..." Lindsey says, oblivious to the stuff that I'm picking up on. "I think I am...I like that. If you're going to call me anything to my face, it might as well be that."
Spike grins and looks at Gunn. "You?...hmmm...what can I call you? What's your name?"
"Gunn. Charles Gunn."
Spike is concentrating now. "Charlie? Prince Charles? Gunpowder? I'm gonna have to get back to you...I can't seem to think of one just yet."
"Its cool. Make sure ya tell me when you've thought of somethin'. I'm gettin' a real kick outta this." He pauses, "Well, what about English?"
"Who?"
"Wes...ex-watcher. Talks all, well...Englishmanish..." Gunn prods.
"I think English works well enough...for the time bein'. What about that one there? The quiet one. Fred? That's her name, isn't it? Do you think she'd like `Flintstone'? Yeah? If not, I'll come up with somethin' later....Who else is there?" He looks at me. "Ah, the charming annoying cheerleader...oops, just contradicted myself...ummm..." He looks me up and down.
"She was the queen...or princess...or whatever of Pylea. The place we saved Fred from." Gunn says offhandedly.
"That's it then. You're `Princess' now." Spike concludes. "Good?"
I nod vigorously. "I like the sound of that."
After a while, everyone gathers in a large group. Somehow, without having to bring up the subject, we've all decided to get to work on the crisis at hand. Angel gets his son back, so he's happy...And Buffy seems to be little miss cheerful again. She takes a seat next to Spike and we get straight into it.
The best part of this is that everyone has a different skill to lend and after years of Scooby training (or, in Lindsey's case, board meetings at an evil law firm), we all get through these `briefings' without falter.
Lindsey and Angel take the lead and spell the plan out to the Scoobies. Everyone gets it first time through, which is great. Next, they start to allocate jobs and all the usual `briefing' kinda stuff. From there, they go into deeper detail and soon we're pretty much all set for stage one of `Operation Kaboom'.
Remind me to never let Gunn and Xander think up the name for our plans again...Oh well, at least they didn't get to use their first choice; `Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolfram & Hart'. I'm still shaking my head in amusement. I think it was a bad idea to let those two mix...actually I *know* it was a bad idea.
"Okay, so...you know what we're doing. You've got your jobs. Get cracking." Angel instructs. "Cordy," He walks over and crouches in front of me. Tentatively he takes my hand. "We...meaning you and I...need to talk."
*******************************
A/N (yet again)- I sit back down at the computer, my hands poised over the keyboard. Staring at the monitor I think, `Hey! Why isn't anyone reviewing yet?' ^_^ Come on guys...you heard...or read...or whatevered Angel in the fic. You know what to do. Now GET CRACKING !!!! Also, please don't forget to read my other fic and review it. You know you want to... ^_^... Thanx
******************************
And here comes the vampire slayer. We've all been seated around the lobby, in various places and positions, waiting patiently (okay, some of us not so patiently) for her to grace us with her presence. We really need to start getting our strategies together, but it was virtually impossible to do without two of their best fighters.
Yep, that's right, Spike hasn't come down stairs yet either. Of course, putting that to the fact that he's a vampire, a creature of the *night*, its understandable that he's not a morning person.
Angel used to be the same...but that was before Connor. Now he's up bright and early so he doesn't miss a second of his son's life. I hope...no... I *know* Lindsey's gonna be just as great a dad. It's obvious. Unless I'm misinterpreting his actions and stuff...no...he loves me and he wants this baby as much as I do. I know it.
Buffy smiles at everyone. "Good morning." She chirps in an over-the-top cheery manner. "Have you already had breakfast?"
We all nod. Fred motions towards the kitchen door. "Just help yourself. I think we've got some cereal and toast and stuff."
"But if you like milk in your coffee..." Angel adds, walking out of the kitchen cradling Connor, "...Don't expect any `cos *this* little one just drained the last of it." He nuzzles his head towards the baby, who giggles happily. "Yes he did. Yes he did." Angel coos in a singsong kinda voice, you know...the type that most people use on babies...
I watch the various Scooby reactions. It's amusing to see Angel like this, talking baby talk, but everyone here in LA is used to it. The Scoobies, however, are a different story.
Xander's jaw slackens and he's at a loss for words (which is a new thing for Xander...). Willow smiles brightly, already used to the idea like the fang gang are. Tara doesn't know Angel like the rest of them, so she doesn't find it strange in the least. Anya seems to be looking from the baby, to Angel, then at Xander, back to the baby and then Xander again...her eyes gleaming with the look of a child that's just spied a new novelty or toy. But Buffy stands still, almost in shock. Her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. I look around at anyone else that might be finding her reaction as funny as I do...Nope. No such luck.
Angel stops, suddenly aware of the silence in the room and all eyes on him. "What?" He looks over his shoulders and even turns in a full circle. "What are you all looking at?" He repeats. Then, at the look on Buffy's face, it dawns on him. "Oh...I see. Me doing the baby-talk thing..." He chuckles, looking at Gunn and I. "I've been told it's a...uh... *new* look..."
"But..." I chime in, "...You get used to it. Its actually kinda cute."
Lindsey prods me playfully. "Ahem?"
"I mean...never mind." I grin sheepishly and kiss him. He seems content with my response `cos he wraps his arms around my soon-to-expand waist and draws me back into his lap. I snuggle against his chest happily.
By now Spike has made his entrance and spied Connor in Angel's arms. "Ah...so *that's* the new little `bit. He moves forwards towards Angel, extending his arms slightly. "Can I hold `im?"
Angel draws back protectively. Spike smiles. "Aww...c'mon...he's like...my uncle or somethin'...we're family...Please? I can't hurt him. Not that I'd even want to...Please?"
Angel shoots me a nervous glance. In a way, I'm Connor's mother figure. In Angel's eyes, I guess I might as well be the baby's mom. I love him just as much as if he was my own, and that's not gonna change. Not ever.
I nod with a smile. Angel's still uncertain, but he gives up and gives his son to the other vampire. Spike is enchanted by the tiny bundle, cooing and pulling faces for him. The baby giggles and gurgles at his new found friend. Angel looms protectively over the two of them, making sure that nothing bad can happen.
I let out a snort of laughter, at which Angel snaps his attention towards me. "I'm sorry," I giggle at him, "But you should see the look on your face...its so funny. You know as well as I do that Spike's not gonna do anything...Let go of the over-protective bug..."
He smirks. "Wait `till you have your kid..."
"Angel, Connor is like having my own...I love him the same way as I'm gonna love my baby...but right now, he's safe. Hence the me *not* worrying..." I smile, lightening the mood again, "But, seeing how efficient you are with the over-protection thing...I think I've found a babysitter for the future..."
His eyes widen. "Oh no you don't. Looking after the one is enough. Plus, on what Wesley pays, you couldn't afford me..."
"Hey!" The ex-watcher/ex-rogue demon hunter, butts in. "Leave me out of it. And for your information, what *I* pay is better than what you..." He's addressing Angel, "...ever did."
"Its less." Angel pouts lightheartedly.
We laugh, and I realise that everyone else has started chattering away again. It's actually nice to see everyone getting along as well as they are. Even better that nobody is trying to rip each others throats out...
Buffy is even starting to talk to Angel. "He...he's adorable." She manages. I tune out of their discussion `cos somewhere along the lines I've learnt to not eves-drop. Not on personal conversations anyway. A good gossip session is sooo different.
Instead I flick my attention towards Anya and Lorne, who seem to be gossiping about demons that they both used to know. That's boring to me `cos I don't know who they're gossiping about. Next is a conversation between Willow, Fred, Tara and Wesley, which I can't follow either `cos its about brainiac kinda stuff.
And then there's Gunn, Xander, Spike and Lindsey. Fighting and babies are their choice topics. Two which I don't think should be affiliated with each other under any circumstance. And I'm back to the Wesley speak...
"He's a little angel, isn't he?" I ask Spike. "...pun intended."
The peroxided vamp laughs and seats himself down on the couch, next to Lindsey and I. "Yeah, that he is." He looks Connor over, while he tickles his toes. "Looks just like Peaches, too."
Gunn breaks into a huge grin. "Peaches, huh?"
"Spike has nicknames for everyone." Xander informs him, eyeing Spike wearily. "Some of which he has been told *not* to use on certain construction workers...namely me."
"Glorified bricklayer." Spike mumbles, then looks back down at the baby in his arms. "You're gonna be the new l'il `bit. `Kay?" Connor gurgles his acceptance and snuggles up against Spike, falling asleep.
"What other names have ya got for people?" Gunn queries, clearly interested now. He loves a good laugh every now and then.
"Let me think..." Spike says. "...Well, Peaches, I mean, *Angel* is also known as nancy boy, the poofter, poof...ummm..."
"Dead boy." Xander reminds him.
Gunn bursts into laughter. "I gotta remember some of them...what about the others?"
"Well...there's Slayer. There's an obvious one for you. Uh, and Red...that's Will. And Nibblet; she's the slayer's little sis... The glorified bricklayer here...Rupert, The Librarian or Ripper...Giles hates bein' called those by me... Our annoying cheerleader friend, who isn't quite so annoying, or even a cheerleader anymore...so I'll need a new one for you," Spike says, looking at me. "Demon girl, the glorified bri...I mean, Xander's fiancé...And witch number 2; Red's girlfriend. I think that's about it."
Gunn has tears of laughter streaming down his face. Lindsey looks amused as well. "Now you gotta make up some new ones for Fred, Gunn, Lindsey, Lorne, Wes and me..." I state, also chuckling at Spike.
"Okay...lets see. Well, Lorne's easy; `Green'. That one's obvious. Not, not because he's green, but also because `Lorne Green' sounds" He pauses at the blank looks on some of our faces "...let me guess...you guys didn't ever watch Bonanza..." I shake my head, as do Gunn and Xander.
"I get it." Lindsey smirks.
"Good. At least someone does...umm...well, you can be known as `evil-lawyer'" He stops when Lindsey shakes his head. "No?"
"Hey!" Xander complains. "How come he gets a choice?"
"'Cos I happen to like the guy...whereas *you* still keep tryin' to stake me. When I like you, I might give you a choice. Now...what *can* I call you...?" He asks himself, turning back to face Lindsey.
"Lindsey's fine." He tells the vampire.
"Nonsense. You need a nickname. How `bout..." Connor stirs in his arms. He looks down at the baby, then at Lindsey and then at Lindsey's arms around my waist. He smiles softly. "Lucky?"
Whoa...hold on a sec. Back up even. Was Spike just being...sincere and friendly and...*sad*? Did he just look longingly at what Lindsey and I have and are gonna share?
Then again, Spike's always been different. Even without a soul, he's had the uncanny ability to love...But what...I mean, *who* can he be in love with now? What does he feel he's missing?
"Yeah..." Lindsey says, oblivious to the stuff that I'm picking up on. "I think I am...I like that. If you're going to call me anything to my face, it might as well be that."
Spike grins and looks at Gunn. "You?...hmmm...what can I call you? What's your name?"
"Gunn. Charles Gunn."
Spike is concentrating now. "Charlie? Prince Charles? Gunpowder? I'm gonna have to get back to you...I can't seem to think of one just yet."
"Its cool. Make sure ya tell me when you've thought of somethin'. I'm gettin' a real kick outta this." He pauses, "Well, what about English?"
"Who?"
"Wes...ex-watcher. Talks all, well...Englishmanish..." Gunn prods.
"I think English works well enough...for the time bein'. What about that one there? The quiet one. Fred? That's her name, isn't it? Do you think she'd like `Flintstone'? Yeah? If not, I'll come up with somethin' later....Who else is there?" He looks at me. "Ah, the charming annoying cheerleader...oops, just contradicted myself...ummm..." He looks me up and down.
"She was the queen...or princess...or whatever of Pylea. The place we saved Fred from." Gunn says offhandedly.
"That's it then. You're `Princess' now." Spike concludes. "Good?"
I nod vigorously. "I like the sound of that."
After a while, everyone gathers in a large group. Somehow, without having to bring up the subject, we've all decided to get to work on the crisis at hand. Angel gets his son back, so he's happy...And Buffy seems to be little miss cheerful again. She takes a seat next to Spike and we get straight into it.
The best part of this is that everyone has a different skill to lend and after years of Scooby training (or, in Lindsey's case, board meetings at an evil law firm), we all get through these `briefings' without falter.
Lindsey and Angel take the lead and spell the plan out to the Scoobies. Everyone gets it first time through, which is great. Next, they start to allocate jobs and all the usual `briefing' kinda stuff. From there, they go into deeper detail and soon we're pretty much all set for stage one of `Operation Kaboom'.
Remind me to never let Gunn and Xander think up the name for our plans again...Oh well, at least they didn't get to use their first choice; `Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolfram & Hart'. I'm still shaking my head in amusement. I think it was a bad idea to let those two mix...actually I *know* it was a bad idea.
"Okay, so...you know what we're doing. You've got your jobs. Get cracking." Angel instructs. "Cordy," He walks over and crouches in front of me. Tentatively he takes my hand. "We...meaning you and I...need to talk."
*******************************
A/N (yet again)- I sit back down at the computer, my hands poised over the keyboard. Staring at the monitor I think, `Hey! Why isn't anyone reviewing yet?' ^_^ Come on guys...you heard...or read...or whatevered Angel in the fic. You know what to do. Now GET CRACKING !!!! Also, please don't forget to read my other fic and review it. You know you want to... ^_^... Thanx