Disclaimer: I own none, only Casey. I may not even own the plot which may be owned by Ivorycat (read her stories, they're good!). She also may be writing for this, so look out for her input. Joss, the insane god he is, owns the whole cast of characters you see, save again, for Casey, she is mine.

Attention: Look, there will be talk of, if not seen, cases of child abuse from Holtz. This happens because in my time line, Holtz took much of his anger out on Casey, and some out on Connor. But Connor was the favorite child of the two. More about that later. There also may be instance of corporal punishment. I would like to inform people that child abuse and corporal punishment are two different things. Corporal punishment will only happen when there is need for it to happen, and it will always be done in a loving environment.

Author's Note: I am going to try and put my teenage characters though what normal teenagers go through. That may be bad grades, idiot teachers, sexual harassment, drugs, alcohol, and that such. Some may be embellished a little, but guess what? If they are, that's because I have yet to experience them in my high school. Now don't say that I make this some kind of soap opera, because quite frankly, life is one.

Summery: Connor decides he doesn't like the judgement Angel deals.

Chapter Eight: Running

Connor looked at his father and spit. Angel narrowed his eyes as he walked over to where his son was sitting and hauled him up. Propelling him into the corner, Angel proceeded to stand him in the corner and lecture him.

"Since it would be illegal for me to punish you as a dog, even though you are acting like one. I will have to settle for a toddler. Teenagers don't bite people, they should know better. Not only teenagers should know better, you should. I don't know how Holtz raised you, but if it included in anyway looking down upon any female, or anyone weaker than you, it ends here! Got it?" Angel walked over to where a fidgeting Connor stood.

Angel slapped his son's behind, making Connor jump. "Got it," he mumbled.

"Good. Now since you're acting so childish, you're going to be treated like one. Now I'm going to have you stand there for ten minutes. And if you're not there when I return, there will be hell to pay. And that's a promise," Angel said his last comment firmly and closed the door with an authoritative thump.

Connor listened as his father's footsteps faded and he looked towards the window. Should he make the getaway? If he left, he'd not only be humiliated if he stayed, but it'd be ten times worse. But if he stayed, his dad would think he actually would submit to this stupid policy.

So he walked over and opened the window; slipping onto the fire escape, he looked down, it wasn't too far to jump. Closing his eyes, he felt himself fly for just a second, just before he took off.

Eight minutes later, Angel stood in front of his son's room and listened. He couldn't hear sounds of breathing, so he stepped in. Connor was gone. He should have expected this to happen, it usually was Connor's instincts to run, so why not do it now?

Angel wasn't going to follow Connor, oh no. It was Connor's decision to run, and the longer he delayed, the harder it will be for him. Angel wasn't going to run after a 16-year-old like he was 6. Connor should be old enough to know right from wrong, but it was looking like the lines were being erased.

Connor ran; he didn't know where, but he was running. He finally stopped when he reached the pizza place he knew that many people his age hung out. Shuffling through his pockets, he was surprised to see that he had his wallet with him, and it had money in it as well. Shrugged he walked in an ordered a medium pizza with all the toppings. Someone had brought McDonalds for dinner and when Connor found it, it was just a cold mess of grease. Pizza looked a lot more appetizing then the pile of grease he was offered only a sum odd hour or two ago.

As he began to indulge on his pizza a visitor interrupted him.

"I'm Claire," she smiled as she took a sip of her orange soda.

"Connor," he grunted as he took a bit of pizza.

"Not much of a talker, huh?" she laughed.

Connor liked her laugh; it was rather pretty. But then again, what did he know about pretty things? That was Casey's area, not his. "Never was," he smiled shyly.

"You're cute ya know. So what's your deal. People see you in school and stuff, but you never talk. Some think you're some snob, and others think you're a druggie, so what is it?" She asked, taking another sip.

Connor snorted; at least she was being up front, and not pretending to be a friend. "I found out my life was a lie. Don't really care about what happens to me. I only go to school because I'm forced to. So now that you know my life story, why don't you go run to your little friends and report back to them? " Connor stopped for a second, he was starting to sound like Casey, this could not be good.

Claire looked at him, her head cocked to the side in a cocky motion, "You my friend are full of yourself."

Connor looked at her, snorting once again, "Wouldn't be the first time I heard someone say that."

Claire smirked, "Good, so now I know that you aren't treating me special. But back to what I was saying. I came over because you looked lonely. And you just spilled your guts, so guess what, you got me on your back. Say hello to your new best friend," Claire held out a hand.

Connor took it gently and Claire shook it. "Nice ta meet ya. Ohh, looky pizza, can I have a slice? Thanks!" she took one before Connor could answer, but he shrugged it off, it's not like he could eat it all himself anyway.

"Connor!" Casey's voice rang through the restaurant. Connor sank down in his seat as Claire watched in amusement.

"What the hell do you want? Haven't you ruined my life enough tonight?" Connor grumbled a she came prancing over.

Casey just snorted, "Yeah, and like I wanted to risk the idea that I might have to stay home when I'm having a weekend with Lissa and the girls? Yeah right."

Connor glared at her, "If you even think about alerting the presses about my whereabouts, I'll personally make sure they know about you skipping Mrs. Connely's class."

"Fine, but don't let Daddy catch you," Casey said, flipping her hair as she walked off.

Connor sighed and took another bite of his pizza. Casey was stuck up; there was no doubt about it.

Claire sighed and looked at Connor, "It looks like you need a place to stay for the night. Do ya need to crash?"

Connor looked up, "That'd be nice," he smiled and Claire giggled.

"You have a nice smile, and why don't you get this wrapped up so we can eat it for breakfast tomorrow?" she asked, flagging down a waiter.

Author's Note 2: Okay, I'm sure a lot of you are cursing me right now because you just want Connor to be spanked. Or maybe you want Casey to be spanked. And I know I'm holding off on it. Mainly because I'm nervous about writing it, and because I feel it adds to drama to have everything build up. Besides, I'm getting a bunch of these ideas all of a sudden (like gym for instance, one of the strangest places huh? You'll see that scene later on, hint: it's between Claire and Connor). But yeah, that's my reasoning, but will someone please (stressing on the please) send in some ideas? I don't have gym everyday, so that axes that place to zone off. Please review as well.