Chapter 13: Battle Field
"You really think you can kill all of us?" Angel does not look happy that someone has broken into his house and threatened the ones he loves.
"No, just enough to get Kary. But don't worry Angel, you won't be killed, you're just too important to the council. However, if you do interfere, we have other ways of taking you out of the equation. After all, everyone else here is just a little kid." Terkel seemed amused that there were people ready to die for his daughter, he never would.
"You can't take her! And if you hurt any of my family, I will hunt you down and kill you like the dog you are!" Conner's hatred for this guy was boiling over and he didn't think that he would stop if he ever got his hands on Terkel.
"You know, you're looking a little bruised there Terkel - what's the matter, got beat by a little kid?" Conner had to snicker as Kary called to her father. But this did not make Terkel laugh at all; in fact, it was just the opposite.
"A-team, take Kary to the truck. B-team, clear the way. NOW!" at once the lobby became a battlefield. The two enemies cut into each other and ripped them apart. It was no longer a battle of right or wrong - but a battle for their lives!
For half an hour they fought, and for half an hour neither team could see a friend. Just a mass of bodies flying around, trying to save themselves. Angel had just knocked out two more guys when he heard Kary scream. He spun around and saw Kary looking up at the balcony, what Angel saw he did not like. Terkel had a knife pressed up to Conner's throat, and the hatred that he held in his gaze did not look good for his son. Quickly and quietly, Angel moved behind Terkel for the attack.
"Cone any closer and I'll rip his throat. Kary, I assume you will co-operate now?" When Kary nodded, Terkel motioned for two members of his team to take Kary. The rest of the battle had stopped; everyone had his or her eyes on both Terkel and Conner, or Kary.
"That's a good girl. And don't worry; we have a more appropriate mate for you back home." Terkel still had not let Conner go - he had to keep him for safe measures - but it was the exact opposite.
Conner had reached the end. There was no more time for being sensible, this sick bastard had to die and now. With the anger of seeing Kary's spirit fade and her eyes grow dim, Conner flung himself backward, knocking Terkel into the wall.
Instantly the whole place erupted into a massive unorganized fight scene. Blood, screams and bodies were falling everywhere, no one was safe and no one was not battered or bleeding. Slowly, the fifty became five, who surrendered and were hauled to the cell with the rest of their unconscious men. Angel returned to the lobby and found Cordy tending to Fred and Lorne, who were the most injured, but still alive.
'Thank god everyone pulled through that! I'm amazed at how well we did.' Angel just realized that he couldn't see Conner or Kary. He found them on the balcony and figured it best to leave them alone.
"Good job Hun," Cordelia cooed to her lover, "You left them alone - that's about all you can do right know. Kary has had one hell of a day and Conner's the only one who can really relate to that. I just hope she pulls through this." Cordy sighed and looked up at the balcony and her not-any-more-sister.
"I'm so sorry!" Kary whispered into Conner's ear as he held her. "I didn't mean to bring you guys into this. I didn't want any of this to happen!" Kary started to cry and Conner couldn't stand the sound.
"Shhh, it's okay. We're all okay now - you're safe. And I swear to god, no one will ever take you away. No one will ever hurt you again." Conner stroked her cheek and wiped away the tears. Then he placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him. "I promise." Was all he said - was all he needed to say and then pulled her into a kiss.
Kary got lost in the soft touch of Conner's lips and his powerful, yet gentle embrace. But all good things must come to an end, and Kary could hear footsteps approaching - but they were jagged and out of sync, it was some one who was hurt and hurt badly.
Quickly she pulled away from Conner and saw Terkel stumbling forward with a knife in his hand - poised to attack. Without thinking Kary pushed Conner into the wall and the cut, which was made for him, was given to her. A deep wound now ran from her spine to her shoulder - luckily missing anything vital. Her scream alerted everyone that trouble was not yet over. But as Terkel went to strike again, Kary moved and he tripped breaking through the railing.
The only thing keeping Terkel up was the sleeve of his daughter, and the only thing holding his daughter up, was the arm of her lover.
Conner had a hold of Kary, but knew he couldn't support the wait of both of them for much longer, Terkel was too much.
Kary could see Cordy and Angel starting to run to the stairs to help - but it was as if in slow motion. She turned her attentions to Terkel and saw he was smiling. "Looks like we all go down together," he whispered as the three started to slip. "Well, you are a disappointment - should have killed me. Now, we're going to have to kill Conner too." He laughed as Kary turned to look into Conner's eyes.
Conner did not like what he saw there. He saw sorrow and despair and something else. Determination. Conner now understood Kary was not going to let him die for Terkel; she would end it here and now. "NO!" Conner cried as Kary let go of Conner's arm and fell off of the balcony.