Chapter 14: What Now?
With a sickening snap, Terkel hit the ground. Afraid of what he might see, Conner hesitantly walked towards the edge. Once Kary had let go of his arm, he had fallen backwards and was unable to help her. 'Oh god Kary, I'm so sorry - I should have tried harder, I should've held on longer, I should've…' But Conner's thoughts were cut off as he saw Kary lying in his father's arms. Beside her, Terkel lay dead, with an impossible angle on his neck and blood coming from his head. Conner couldn't think of what had happened to Kary, he didn't want to think about it.
Suddenly her right arm twitched and then threw itself around Angel's neck. With a warm embrace, Kary thanked the man who had saved her life.
'Holy shit! Angel caught her!' Conner was beyond words and ran down the stairs to Kary, who greeted him with a smile and a hug.
"Oh Kary! I thought…I thought…god I can't even think it!" Conner was near tears and Kary quickly gave him another hug and a kiss.
"It's okay, so did I." And the silence between the two was filled with understanding and compassion.
Angel and Gunn took Terkel's body into the back storage rooms with the other less fortunate souls; they would let the Council deal with them. After depositing the body, Angel headed downstairs and retrieved Marker. "I think you have some questions to answer." Angel commented as he led him up the stairs.
Once in the office and surrounded by the other members of Angel Investigations plus Kary, Angel began his questioning.
"Firstly…what happens now?" Angel turned all of his attention on Marker, who was obviously ready to talk.
"Well, legally she belongs to Terkel he's dead, oh…well then…she belongs to the Council and any former or present watcher willing to take her as his or her child. And trust me - the council will get the police and federal agents involved to retrieve their, um…experiment." Marker winced at the term, but couldn't think of any other way the Council would see it.
"What! She isn't going back with them…there's no way." Conner couldn't believe what he was hearing - first they have to fight fifty guys to keep her, and then she has to go any ways! What the hell is wrong with this planet?
"Calm down son, we'll figure out a way." Angel had panic in his eyes, he knew there was no way they could defend themselves against the fed's or even the police without casualties. 'What the hell am I suppose to do?'
The sinking feeling started to come back to Kary; she could feel defeat setting in and was giving up all hope of ever having a half decent life. 'I just want to be free - that's all I want!'
Conner could see her eyes growing dim again, the spark was fading and so were her spirits, he had to find a way around it - he just had to!
The room remained quiet as every one thought up some way to get her out.
"I will." Wes had been very quiet the entire time, but now spoke up from the back of the room.
"What do you mean, you will?" Cordy didn't get it, what would Wes do and how would that help Kary?
"I will - I'll take her as my own child. This is her home anyway - and at least she'll be safe here." Wes broke out in a smile at the excitement on Kary's face.
"Wesley, I don't think they are going to let you do that." Marker had to marvel at Kary's work. She had managed to get into the group without questions - or answers. Plus they fought an impossible battle and now they want to adopt her, all in a matter of weeks.
"I do believe you said any present of FORMER watcher. And the Council will never go back on their word, they have too much pride." Wes was now intently staring at Marker. "I do believe you can arrange it all - can't you? Good, now run back to the council and mail us the news when it's all been formalized. Dismissed" the tone that Wes used showed that there was no room for argument and Marker fled form the hotel.
"You really want to?" Kary spun around to face Wes with big eyes and a huge smile. When he nodded his answer, Kary flung her arms around him and whispered "Thanks."
Two Weeks
"Hey guys, I got the mail - and it's here." Lorne's words caused everyone to storm to the lobby, whether it be form the basement, the gym or upstairs. "Drum roll please?" Lorne tore the envelope open and paused, before handing it to Wes. "I think you should do the honors."
Wes hesitated with the paper in his hands, afraid to find out he was denied - but even more afraid to find out he got her. 'I don't know how to raise a kid! I'm a trainer, and Kary has had all the training she needs.' But when he looked up into her eyes, Wes knew it would all work out somehow. And he flipped the paper open.