~*-*~

Angel and Spike climbed up the ropes that now hung off the side of the deck, Spike at a higher point than Angel. Now most people would just climb aboard the boat and leave it at that. Spike on the other hand...

"What's taking you so long, you old codger? Can't climb at the speeds you used to huh?"

This wasn't exactly the wisest of moves on Spike's part as unbeknownst to him, Angel was still pretty angry at the younger vampire. Angel's common sense escaped him for a short moment and he climbed quickly until he was slightly above Spike and used his feet as a mallet on Spike's hands, the pain forcing Spike to let go and drop straight back into the water.

"Bastard!"

Angel just laughed as he looked down at Spike who was splashing about yelling expletives at the top of his voice. All those looking over the side of the boat laughed too. Gunn took Angel's hand and helped him aboard.

"Gunn!"

"Hey man. Long time."

"You know I'd give you one of those well meaning hugs about now, but I'm kinda wet."

Gunn just nodded with a smile. Angel heard the voice speaking from behind him.

"Hey Dad."

Angel frowned for a moment. Such a simple word. Dad. But it was still amazing how one little word could mean so much. Angel had waited to hear that word for so long. He didn't even know how long. But to hear it from his son's mouth after all this time. If it wasn't for the ever lurking issue of Cordelia's whereabouts, Angel's soul would be in danger of escaping.

"Erm, hey Steven."

Connor laughed.

"It's okay Dad, I go by Connor now."

He said it again. Angel couldn't get over the sheer glee received by that one word. Dad. And he called himself Connor, which in turn was homage to his own Da. Not Angel's real father, heck no. He'd been a royally mean one and a sanctimonious bastard at that, but Liam's real Da, his Granda, he himself was named Connor too.

~*-*~


Author's Note: Short, but sweet. Beta has coursework, you know how it goes... Plus, I've been working on a new website, 'tis a fanfiction archive. Yay me. And thanks to EVERYONE who gave me feedback! Makes me do the dance of joy. (Oh and BTW, there are up and coming pictures at my new site of me and my friends actually doing the Dance Of Joy. Watch This Space).

swords-n-spikes: I don't know about bringing in the BtVS gang, because there are *so* many unresolved issues! I'm tempted to bring them in, and if they did appear, I'd know what I'd do to them (evil laugh) but right now it all depends on one word: Exams.

Jane Sherwood: How *will* Angel react to Spike's soul? I do wonder... well, actually I don't, since I know how *my* Angel is going to react. But, he's going to find out soonish. Hold your breath.

Angela M: No! Don't give up! I promise to keep going, I do! And I will! It's just, you know, nyang. (And I know about TotS. If Shakespeare had penetrated to the ocean depths and Katherina got the reference, I bet she'd be bloody pissed...)