Chapter 73

Angel sat in front of Buffy allowing her to cleand the already-healing wounds tape bandages over them. They looked up as Lorne entered from the solarium. Wesley and Gunn came out of the office to hear what he has to say.

"You're back. Anything?" Buffy asked.

"Oh, plenty, just not anything on Connor or Cordelia. I'm not saying we ended world peace or anything, kids, but it's a mess out there. And considering the banner year we've had, that's up against some pretty stiff competition." Lorne said.

"What have you got?" Angel asked Wes.

"Not much more than you left me with, I'm afraid. The truth is, if Connor doesn't want to be found...." Wes said.

"We'll find him." Angel cut in. "We won't stop until we find them both. We'll do whatever it takes."

"Okay. Well, don't you think maybe we should consider...." Gunn said.

Angel wheeled on Gunn. "Consider what, Gunn? What should we consider?"

Gunn backed down. "Working outward in an ever-expanding perimeter?"

Angel took Buffy's hand and looked around. "You want to get in that limo when it gets here, that's up to you. It's not a decision I can make for you. For any of you. But know this: before the ride's even over, before you even cross through their doors, you'll be corrupted." He and Buffy started to leave.

"Where are you heading off to?" Wes asked.

"We're going to go find our son. See if we can get lucky, pick up his trail."

Angel and Buffy walked out into the night. Neither of them were extremely happy at the moment. Buffy had beat the crap out of Jasmine and released all her frustrations through her fists and feet. Then it hit her that she and Angel hadn't talked.

"Angel...."

"If this is about the Wolfram and Hart thing, I don't really want to hear it." Angel said.

"Don't talk to me like that."

"Sorry."

"And no, it's not about that. It's about Connor."

"Connor?"

"He's not happy."

"Of course he isn't. Look at what's happening.... What's happened to him."

"No, he knew all along what Jasmine was."

Angel stopped. "What?"

"Come on." Buffy led Angel to an all night diner and they took a booth in the back, facing each other.

"I don't understand."

"Connor knew Angel. He saw her true face and he still.... He blames us for everything." Angel looked grief stricken. "It came as a surprise to me too. He didn't have to tell me he blames us.... it's in the way he looks at us. I'm convinced part of him loves us, but he doesn't know how to love. He grew up in a hell dimension and it.... it destroyed my little boy. Our son." Angel stared at her, questioning her resoning.

Buffy decided to tell him what had happened while he was gone. It took most of the night to tell because she added in little things from the past that hinted at her logic. By the time she was finished, dawn was almost there. Buffy looked into Angel's eyes, finishing her story. "Maybe taking this Wolfram and Hart deal can help Connor."

Angel didn't want to admit it, but he knew his wife was right. "The others are going to take the deal too."

"I figured as much." Buffy looked at her watch and then outside at the predawn sky. "I think we need to get going before the sun comes up. The limo's waiting."

The two walked silently up to the front gate of the Hyperion and saw Wes, Fred, and Gunn standing there. Wesley was saying to the others, "Go into this with our eyes open and our wits about us, there shouldn't be any...."

"Surprises?" Buffy asked.

Angel took her hand and headed towards the limo. "What the hell?" He opened the back door and music blasted out from inside where Lorne sat, drinking and munching on snacks.

"So it's an evil limo. I get that. Does that mean we don't restock the cherries?" Lorne looked up. "Hi."

They all piled in. Buffy and Angel got the head seats while Lorne, Wes, Gunn, and Fred stretched out on the sides. Buffy scooted closer to Angel so they could have some privacy. "Angel?"

He looked at her. "I'm nervous too, don't worry."

"I'm not. I mean, I am nervous, but...." She reached inside her pocket and pulled out the Gem of Amara, slipping it on Angel's middle finger and held his hand. "I was scared to give it back to you because I was terrified that if Angelus came back and you had it.... I wouldn't be able to kill him. But now I'm not scared and I want you to have it back. Especially now that we're doing this thing with Wolfram and Hart. I don't want to be caught off guard and end up losing you somehow."

Angel brought her hands up to his lips and kissed every knuckle and then kissed her gently. "Thank you. Buffy, you have no idea how proud I am of you. You've been through everything in the past few months and you've held out. Look at you. You're still standing. You're a Slayer, but you've gone above and beyond the call of duty and you've done things no other Slayer could ever imagine."

Buffy blushed and settled down to lay her head on Angel's shoulder. Twenty minutes later, the elevator opened with a muted ding to reveal a vast open atrium, bustling with attorneys and admin personnel, all criss-crossing in front of them as they went about their work. A huge W&H dominated the lobby. The people closest to Angel all greeted him and Buffy cheerily as they pass. "Mr. Angel, good morning. Morning, Mrs. Summers. Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Summers. How are you this morning, Mrs. Summers? Mr. Angel?"

Buffy looked at Angel. "There's no way this is gonna go well."

They looked over as the crowd parted before Lilah as she strode purposefully across the lobby toward Buffy and Angel. Following her were four Wolfram & Hart employees: a beautiful super-model type, an older distinguished Englishman, a science geek in a lab coat, and a slick talent agent. Lilah smiled. "Well, you all made it. What a shock. We've got a lot of ground to cover, so we best get started. Let me introduce you to your guides."

"Guides? Separate guides?" Angel asked, taking Buffy's hand and moving her closer to him protectively.

"Of course. There are six of you, all with specific interests, unique areas of expertise. It seemed the most efficient way of doing this. Prioritize and personalize."

"Divide and conquer, you mean." Buffy said.

"Oh, you're so cynical! See? This is going to work out great."

"We don't split up. We came here together, we take the tour together. Right guys?" Angel asked.

Gunn eyed the super model. "Do I get her?"

"Look, if we'd wanted to harm you, we would've blown up the limo, right?" Lilah asked. On cue from Lilah, a security guard rolled in a cart filled with heavy assault weapons. "If you prefer to be armed during your stay here, we'd have no objections. Just because we've tried to kill or corrupt each and every one of you at one time or another doesn't mean we can't be trusted."

"She's right." Wesley said. "We've made deals with them before. They are honorable in their way. I doubt we'll be in any danger."

"Well, she was right about the limo." Lorne said.

"Do I get her?" Gunn asked again, still eyeing the super model.

Fred walked to the cart, lifted off a full-auto H&K MP-5, slapped in a magazine, and chambered a round. "I think we'll be okay."

"Lorne, Preston will show you around our Entertainment Division." Lilah said.

Preston pumped Lorne's hand enthusiastically and handed him a portfolio. "Hi. Big fan. Huge. Love your work. I had this prepared. Confidential list. Peepers only. Thought you might want to take a gander at our roster. Just a rundown of some of the talent we represent here."

"No, no, I don't think you have to tell me what you represent here, young man." Lorne said. "I know. Evil. Pure evil and...." Lorne glanced at the roster. "Which is also apparently everyone I've always wanted to meet!"

"Follow me."

Lorne and Preston walked off and Lilah turned back to the group. "Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, Rutherford Sirk. I think you'll find you two have a lot in common."

"Pleasure. Shall we?" Sirk said, leading Wesley off.

Lilah brought the super model over to Gunn. "Charles Gunn, Lacey Shepard. I think you'll find you two have nothing in common."

"This way, Chuck." Lacey said.

"You're not going to try to corrupt me, are you?" Gunn asked.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"We'll have to work on that." Then they were gone.

Lilah went to Fred. "Knox, Fred Burkle."

Fred awkwardly juggled the submachine gun so she could shake Knox's hand. "Hi."

"Knox is the star of our Science Division."

"Oh. Nice to meet you."

"You, too. Well. this should be fun." Knox said.

"Yeah." Then those two were gone.

Buffy looked around. There was no one left but her, Angel, and Lilah. "Well, what do you know."

"Yep. Just you two and me. I figured you wouldn't allow yourselves to be seperated. Come on. Let me show you two around the Chocolate Factory." Lilah said. She led them down a hall to a large door. The door opened to reveal a huge room full of a mass aray of weapons. All of them shone like they were new, but Buffy knew better. There were two swords that stood out that she knew were from 16th century France.

"Oh my God." Buffy said as she walked up and fingered the blades. "These are in mint condition. You can't find these anywhere!" She moved over to a set of three point swords. She picked them up and twirled them like and expert. "Nice weight." She threw one and it embedded itself in the door next to Lilah's head, slamming it shut and making Angel give her a slight grin. "Wow. Great wind resistance too. Perfect for throwing."

"I thought this would make you happy." Lilah said. "You're the head of the weapons department. Any weapon that comes through here or that's just been discovered, you have first say if it's worthy enough for you and your friends. You decide if it should be destroyed or if it gets to go through the works to make it sparkle and go into battle."

Buffy raised her eyebrows. "All of these are mine?"

Lilah pulled the sword out of the door. "To do with as you see fit. Hell, you could have a spell put on all of them so everytime you killed a demon with one of these weapons, your name would be on the corpse so everyone knows who killed the thing and they stay scared of you."

"You can do that!?" Buffy cleared her throat. "I mean, why would I do that? They're dead. It's not like I'm going to display the corpse like some weirdo warrior."

"Whatever you say. Now, it's time to show you two your office."

"Our office?" Angel asked.

"Yeah. What, you two thought you were going to have seperate offices? Please. You're the most inseperable people I have ever met. Besides, what's better for a happily married couple than their own private office? The desk is solid, don't worry. We know what happened to that table of Angel's on that day tha wasn't supposed to be."

"How do you....?"

"We know everything here. You think something like that would skip attention?" Lilah lead Buffy and Angel down a hallway that resonated with wealth and power. "Money. Clothes. Did I mention we have a juice bar?"

"This is what you came back from the dead for? To play Let's Make an Evil Deal?" Buffy asked.

"Show them what's behind door number one, Bob." Lilah opened the door and stepped in with Buffy and Angel. Every possible amenity. There was even a private elevator. "I know it's not much but the Taj Mahal was a bit of a commute."

"What, are we supposed to swoon? It's an office." Angel said.

"With your own private elevator. Care to take it for a spin?"

"What's it going to do, huh? Drop me in a vat of holy water?"

"You know, I was pushing for it but they went with the motor pool. Figured you'd like to stay mobile, what with all that rushing out to save the day you two're so fond of."

"Thanks, but we already have two cars."

"Now you have twelve."

"What are we going to do with twelve cars?!" Buffy asked.

"Anything you want. That's the point or haven't you been listening?"

"We have and.... we're done now." Angel said, tugging on Buffy's hand. Buffy didn't budge, she stood firm. Angel started to ask what she was doing, but Lilah cut him off.

"I forgot to show you the best part. You're going to love this." She picked up a remote from the desk and pushed a button. The drapes covering a set of bay windows slid open and bathed Buffy and Angel in blazing sunlight. He didn't even flinch, just held up his hand and displayed the ring. "Necro-tempered glass. The whole building's fitted with it. Helps keep those uplifting wholesome rays from charbroiling the boss. And 30% more energy efficient. Go ahead, take the ring off. Feels even better when you're naked. I could turn around if you two...."

"Close it." Angel said.

"I promise I won't peek. Well, maybe just a skosh."

"Close it Lilah."

She hit the remote and the room descended into darkness again. "Goodbye, Mr. Sunshine. Hello, gloomy avenger."

"Make that goodbye. I'm not taking the job."

"It's not a job. It's an opportunity."

"Oh, an opportunity to be part of the problem?"

"If that's what you choose."

"Really don't."

"Again, your choice. But think of what you two could do with the resources of Wolfram & Hart at your finger tips. The difference that would make. Nothing in this world is the way it ought to be. It's harsh and it's cruel but that's why there's you two, Angel. You live as if the world were as it should be. With all this you guys can make it that way. People don't need an unyielding champion. They need a someone who knows the value of compromise and how to beat the system from inside the belly of the beast."

"The beast's belly.... doesn't that usually mean you've been eaten?"

"Maybe. But while you've been namby-pambying around for the last 90 seconds, six innocent people have died. Oh, don't worry. There's always 6,000 more just around the corner. Or up the coast." Lilah took a file out of the desk drawer and handed it to Angel as Buffy examined the desk and computer. He glanced at the label, then looked up sharply at Lilah.

"Sunnydale." He took an ornate amulet out of the folder and examined it.

"That nifty little bauble comes with the file. Apparently it's crucial for some kind of 'final battle.' Guess they're in short supply up Sunnydale way. Bit gauche for my taste but hey...." Lilah glanced at Buffy. "Not a Slayer."

"Faith can handle herself. So can Buffy."

"But isn't it more fun when you handle her?" Lilah asked, looking at Buffy.

Buffy looked up from the picture frame she was holding at the comment Lilah made. "Excuse me?"

"Keep the intel. Not interested." Angel said, handing the folder to Lilah.

"Not in this case. So how about open homicides? Missing persons? I knew there had to be a reason you took the tour. Dead, not stupid." Lilah said.

"What do you know?"

"About where Cordelia and your son are? Not a thing. But you can find out in about 10 seconds. All you gotta do is pick up the phone. Boss."

"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Lilah. I really am. Me, Buffy, and my friends will be leaving now."

"I'm not leaving." Buffy said.

"What?"

"I'm staying here. I want to accept the deal."

Lilah made a face. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."

"Buffy...."

"No. You're not going to make this decision for me." Buffy took the file from Lilah. "This could help us defeat the First Angel and you're throwing it away because of the people giving it to us?"

The phone rang and Lilah picked it up. "Yes? Of course." She hung up. "The Senior Partners would like you to test all the amenities before you make your decision.... Angel." She picked up the TV remote and pressed the power button. A large flatscreen plasma TV sprung to life. Angel's eyes lit up with excitement before he could catch himself.

"Cool! Is that high def...." Buffy smacked him as she listened to the TV announcer.

".... Evacuated and bomb units have been called to the scene where more than a dozen shoppers are being held hostage at this hour. Police are trying to identify the suspect from these security camera pictures." The image froze on Connor, eyes filled with cold rage. Buffy gasped and covered her mouth in shock. "So far, no motive is known for the siege and the suspect has refused to speak with law enforcement officials."

"Wow. He really does have your eyes, doesn't he?" Lilah said to Buffy.

Angel slammed Lilah against the wall, pinning her by the neck, while the newscast of Connor's hostage situation played in the background. Lilah grunted. "Watch the head. It comes off kind of easy."

"You set this whole thing up." Angel said.

"Been a little busy with the being dead."

"You, the Senior Partners, whoever. Get them on the phone. Make it stop. Now."

"Love to except for the part where we didn't have anything to do with it."

"But you know who did." Buffy said, walking up.

"Yeah. I'm looking at them. You're the ones who raised him. Or didn't." Angel released Lilah and she rubbed her neck. "Can't imagine how the kid turned out postal."

"You don't know anything about Connor! Let's keep it that way."

"One-time offer only, Angel. Walk out that door, deal's off. Stay and it's all yours."

Buffy stopped and turned. She didn't care what Angel thought of what she was getting ready to say. "People like you, this place, that's what's wrong with the world, Lilah. I will never be a part of this the way you're hoping. Now let me tell you what the deal's going to be...."

Buffy and Angel watched from a balcony as Connor kneeled down and started wrapping wires around the connector posts of half a dozen car batteries. He paused and smiled but didn't look around. "You guys got in. Thought you might."

They dropped gracefully to the floor and carefully approached Connor from behind. Angel was the first to speak. "Connor.... son?" A tremendous explosion suddenly rocked the rear of the store. The hostages screamed and cowered.

"You might not want to move. The people are rigged, too." Angel looked around at the frightened faces peering back at him and he and Buffy froze in place. "Can't save 'em all, guys. You don't know who's going to be first. Could be any one of them." He stood and turned toward his parents, his face a mask of pain and sadness. He had explosives strapped to his chest as well. "Could be me." Then he stepped to the side, revealing Cordelia lying on the floor sleeping peacefully, her body laced with dynamite. "Could be her."

"Connor, you have to listen to me. This is about Jasmine." Buffy said gently.

"Jasmine's gone."

"I know. We all felt it, that perfect love.... and then when we had to give it up...." Angel said.

"I didn't feel anything! I can't feel anything. I guess I really am your son because I'm dead, too."

"You're not dead, Connor. You're just starting your life." Buffy said.

"No!" He wheeled on his mother. "You just weren't there before."

"I know. And you know I'm so...."

"Do not say you're sorry! It doesn't fix anything."

"Then let me say this. I love you, Connor. We love you."

"It's a lie."

"It's not."

"It's always a lie. My dead grandmother couldn't even love me."

"You're wrong. She does."

"No. She knew she couldn't."

"Connor, I really take it to heart when people insult my mother. But when it's my own son, her grandson, that's insulting her, it really pisses me off." Buffy sighed and stared angrily at her son.

"You tried to love me, both of you.... at least I think you did."

"We still do."

"But not enough to hang on, mom. You let him take me away. You both let him get me. You let him get me.... Cordy, you swore you loved me. Where are you now?"

"Connor, you have to believe that there are people who love you."

"Jasmine believed you when you said you loved her but it was all a lie."

"Oh please! Jasmine was the lie."

"No! She knew if you found out who she really was, that you'd turn against her. And she was right. That's just what happened. People like you two.... people like this. None of you deserved what she could give you. She wanted to give you everything."

"I know how that feels because I want to give you everything. We want to take back the mistakes, help you start over."

"You can't start over."

"We can. I mean, we can change things."

"There's only one thing that ever changes anything and that's death. Everything else is just a lie. You can't be saved by a lie.... you can't be saved at all." He reached down for the wires to complete the circuit and in that split second, Angel made his move.

He leapt across the room and tackled Connor. The fight was on, no holds barred. Angel hurled Connor across the room and followed as Buffy started ripping the explosives and wires off the hostages. After a moment, the hostages got the hint and started freeing themselves, then ran out the front door to the police waiting outside. "Run. Hurry up, all of you. Go!" Buffy shouted.

Connor knocked Buffy away and crawled toward the batteries. Angel snatched a Bowie knife from a display and whipped it across the room where it slammed into Connor's thigh. Buffy grimced as Angel pounced, yanked out the knife, and straddled Connor, pinning him to the floor. He looked down on his son with a world of regret in his eyes.

Buffy walked up and kneeled by her son. "We really do love you, Connor."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

Angel raised the knife for a killing blow. "Prove it."

Buffy kissed her son's head and whispered goodbye before Angel brought down the killing blow. When the blow hit and Connor laid still, Buffy started to cry. Angel held her tightly and kissed her forehead. As they watched, their son's body started to dissappear. Buffy brushed the hair out of his eyes just before Connor dissappeared completely.

Buffy and Angel walked somberly into the lobby of Wolfram and Hart. Fred and the others were there, talking. Fred said, "I can't believe it. Are you saying we should take the deal?"

"We already took it." Buffy said.

"What?"

"You took the deal." Wesley said.

"Executive decision." Buffy said, looking sadly at Angel.

"I didn't think either of you would...."

"Know a silver platter when they're handed one?" Lilah asked. She appeared with the Sunnydale folder and amulet in hand. She and Wesley locked eyes. She couldn't quite take it and looked away. "I'm impressed by the lot of you. Team Buffy and Angel, all growed up."

"Is it taken care of?" Buffy asked Lilah.

"Cordelia's safe and sound. Probably getting a manicure and a blow-dry as we speak."

"You found Cordy? And she's...." Fred asked.

"Still in a coma. But, hey, doesn't mean she can't look her best. She'll receive the finest care, medical and metaphysical. If there is a way to get her back, we'll find it."

"Good. Just one more piece of business." Angel said.

"We want to see him." Buffy looked at Lilah.

"I'm sorry, guys, but that wasn't part of the deal." Lilah said.

"Value of compromise. Remember, Lilah? We need to see him." Angel said.

There was a beat as Lilah considered. Finally, she smiled and handed Buffy the folder and amulet. "You're the bosses. There'll be a limo waiting outside. It'll take you guys to see Connor."

"Thank you." Buffy said sincerly.

She and Angel walked out to the awaiting limo. They climbed in and Buffy rested her elbow on the armrest, staring out the window as the sleek black Wolfram & Hart limo curved along a winding mountain road. Buffy sorted through her new memories and her old ones. According to the new memories, Buffy and Angel had gotten married two months after they had seen each other at the place between LA and Sunnydale. Willow had bound his soul with her super witch-y powers. They had left for San Fransico for a few months to help Buffy get back on her feet and be with Angel for an extended honeymoon. When they got back, everyone was so happy, but then the ordeal with Willow going evil had happened. Connor wasn't theirs anymore. Buffy sighed.

Less than an hour later, the limo creeped under low-hanging trees and stopped a discrete distance from a cozy log cabin home nestled in a small clearing. Buffy opened the door and she and Angel emerged. Together they walked toward the house and peered in a large picture window that glowed with hearthside warmth. They stood beyond the light it cast outside, careful to stay out of sight. The sound of laughter drifted out from within.

"You just opened up a whole bottle for yourself, didn't you?" Connor said.

"I'm just saying, you've got your pick. Any college you want to." The dad, Connor's new dad, said.

"It's really not a big deal."

Buffy looked at Angel with tears in her eyes. "He was always so smart, but it wasn't a big thing to him."

"Top ten percentile is a big deal." Connor's mom said. Buffy felt a twinge of jealousy at the bond Connor and his new mother obviously had. The bond he had with his family.

"Are you and Tracy going to try to go to the same college?" Another woman asked, probably his aunt.

"Oh, bad idea." Dad said.

"We haven't talked about it." Connor said.

"I love Tracy. I'm just saying, it's a bad way to go."

"Tracy's a vegan." Connor's sister said.

"So? At least she doesn't live on Pop Tarts." Mom said.

"You know, maybe I'll go to school overseas. Like Russia. Is there anything farther away than Russia?" Connor asked.

"Madagascar." Buffy said. "I thought about going there myself."

"Don't you even joke about it." Mom said.

"I feel a toast coming on." Dad said.

"Oh God." Sis said.

"Here he goes." Mom said.

"To the top ten percentile...." Dad raised his glass but Connor stood up and cut him off.

"Okay, whoa, whoa, enough. That's all I had to hear. Since it's my special day and I'm all brilliant and everything and I'm forced to spend at least a few more weeks with you freaks.... I get to make the toast, okay?" He raised his glass. "To family."

Buffy smiled. He looked so much like Angel with Buffy's eyes and his dark blonde hair. It made her heart hurt more than she thought it ever could.

"I think I should get wine for the toast." Sis said.

As they all broke out into another round of laughter inside, Buffy and Angel watched the happy family scene, then turned away and walked off into the night back to the limo, leaving their son behind. Forever.