In the gloom of the shadowed lobby of the hotel Hyperion, the one with a soul stood, addressing his small but loyal army of friends and allies. He was grateful for them, for their help, time and friendship.
Liam he had been called, way back in Ireland when he had been turned. He had left the life of a mortal man behind, all for a quick kiss from Darla in a darkened alley on what he thought was a normal evening.
But that kiss was one of death. For Darla, the vampire, one of the Master's favourites, turned Liam into one of her own, and for years they caused havoc wherever they went, killing most and turning some. He went by the name of Angelus, and he was the most soulless, evil creature.
At the turn of the last century however, Angelus killed the wrong girl. She was a gypsy, but a favourite among her clan, the Romani. As a punishment, they restored Angelus' soul to him, making him carry the guilt and the face of everyone he had killed, tortured, or turned. Sickened by what he had done, and unable to go by the demon name of Angelus, he changed it to Angel.
Angel drifted, finally settling in America. It was in New York he met Whistler, a demon sent by the Powers That Be to balance the scales between good and evil. Angel spent time in Sunnydale, with the Slayer, eventually falling in love with her. But he left, just over 3 years ago, and fled to LA, hoping to give Buffy at least one shred of normality, that he had tried in vain to give her.
Not that Angel would ever be normal. In fact, just two weeks previously, Darla, his sire, had given birth to a baby boy, who was human, and who had a soul, and the most remarkable blue eyes. Angel named him Connor, after his Irish roots, and had doted on the baby.
And then he was gone. Wesley, one of Angel's friends, stole Connor. Connor was then stolen by a man named Holtz, who punched his way through to a Hell dimension, taking baby Connor with him, as a form of punishment for Angel, who had killed Holtz's family when he was evil.
That dimension, Qour-Toth, could not be reached from the Earthly plain, although as the pentacle glowing viciously above the gang's head would prove, they had tried many different methods, and none succeeded.
"Angel, are you sure you should be fighting just yet?" Fred asked, her mousy hair drawn back in a simple pony, her glasses not hiding her concern.
"What do you mean?" Angel lowered his eyes, not wanting Cordy, Lorne or Gunn to see that he knew exactly what Fred meant.
"Angel, you've just realised that you are never going to get your son back." Wesley answered.
Just then, a tall, and quite skinny teenage frame, with longish, dark brown hair that fell carelessly about his face and into his piercing blue eyes dropped down from the pentacle, landing smoothly and gracefully, clutching a crossbow. He was dressed in what looked like animal skins, although Angel was pretty sure they were Skullrig skins, and Skullrigs were only native to Qour-Toth. A jagged necklace of pearly white animal teeth hung round the boy's neck, and he clutched his crossbow with an almost professional grip, even though he couldn't have been more than 17.
He looked at Angel, and so many expressions crossed the pale face. He calmly loaded the crossbow, and aimed the wooden bolt right at Angel's unbeating, vampire heart. With a slight grin, the youth spoke.
"Hey Dad."
The bolt flew from the crossbow, and Angel knew that if it struck him, he was a dead man, so to speak. He flung himself backwards, but he was too slow, and the bolt hit him in the shoulder.
"Close Connor, but no heart." Angel grimaced as he pulled the wooden shaft from his skin with a grimace of pain.
"My name is Steven." Connor said as he reloaded the crossbow, and went to take aim again. But Gunn was faster, and ran at Connor, flinging them both to the floor. Connor was up first, and he used the metal piece of the bow to knock Gunn senseless in just one blow.
Cordy grabbed a sword, and moved to swing at Connor, who just flipped over on one hand, easily dodging the blow. Fred grabbed the heavy silver axe, as Connor shot at Angel again, this time hitting him in the stomach. Connor pulled the axe from Fred's grasp, and hit her in the head with the handle, causing her to fall senseless to the floor. Connor pulled his sword from its sheath at his waist, and held it in front of him. He threw a look outside, saw that it was daylight, and ran out the front door, into the sunshine, where Angel was unable to follow him.
Not that Angel didn't try, but he couldn't step out from the door's shade. Instead, he watched as Connor leapt gracefully onto the roof of the 69 bus, and vanished from sight.
Back inside the Hyperion lobby, Gunn, Fred and Cordy were starting to come round. Gunn was up first, and he helped the women to their feet, with Fred rubbing her temple, where the axe handle had struck.
Gunn looked at Angel, and then up to the shimmering red pentacle, that glowed briefly, then died, closing the portal to Qour-Toth.
"Was that him? Was that Connor? Man that boy can kick ass." Gunn asked. Angel looked slowly at him, a lump in his throat. He cleared it away, and answered.
"Yes."
"Why does he think his name is Steven?" Cordy asked, gingerly examining her broken nails, that had been so carefully looked after.
"Because that's what Holtz called him. Angel, time must pass quicker in Qour-Toth. Connor is at least 17 now." Fred explained.
"And he was raised by someone who hates me, in a Hell dimension." Angel finished bitterly.
"He's gonna be one screwed up kid. Did you see where he went?" Lorne asked, his way of offering help.
"Well it was kinda sunny out. He jumped onto the roof of the 69 bus."
"That means he's headed downtown." Cordy piped up, while cleaning the cut on her elbow.
"I don't think so." Fred shook her head, as if in deep thought.
"Well where then? The 69 goes downtown." Cordelia pointed out.
"Connor is just back from a place where people were practically non-existent. He won't like being surrounded by them. He'll jump off the bus." Fred answered.
Just over a mile away from the hotel, Connor was still sitting on top of the bus, the wind rippling his hair. He had never been in a place like this, although his father told him so much about it. Cars zoomed past him, and he was frightened of them, understanding what they were, but not used to the noise. The golden sunlight bounced off a thousand windows, making the whole place much brighter than any place Connor had ever been, and forcing him to squint.
And then there were people, hundreds off them, dressed funny, all walking and laughing, not at all scared of the giant metal machines roaring feet from where they stood. Connor didn't understand, and he didn't like this place one bit.
So he jumped from the bus, and landed smoothly on his feet amongst the machines. He ran through them, onto the concrete, and into the dark shadows of the alleys, where he felt comfortable.
And then he saw her, leaning against the wall, her eyes closed. Connor was instantly attracted this person. She was wearing very little material, just a short skirt like contraption, and two circular materials, joined by a little strip of material that sat quite comfortably where her breasts were. She was wearing some sort of demon skin boots on her feet, and material like spiders webs over her torso. She was beautiful, gloriously pale, with long black wavy hair. She smiled when she sensed him, her blood red lips shining in the light. Her eyes opened, revealing themselves to be a bright green. Connor stood in front of her, completely in awe.
"I've been waiting for you." She said.
The entire Angel Investigations team were sitting in the Hyperion lobby, trying to figure out a way to catch Connor, and bring him back safely, before he hurt himself or someone else.
"You saw him fight Angel, there ain't no way one of us could bring him down, if he didn't want." Gunn pointed out.
"I know, but we have to. There has to be a way. Somehow. We have to get him back here." Angel answered, his head in his hands.
"Do you know what we need?" Cordy asked.
"A miracle?" Fred looked up from her book.
"A slayer." Cordelia answered, and everyone in the room murmured their agreement, they did need a Slayer.
"But we don't know any slayers." Fred whispered.
"Well, I heard a rumour…" Gunn began.
Connor followed the girl without question. He could sense something in her, a power, a strength. It wasn't until they were nearing their destination that Connor realised she was wearing a sword strapped over her back.
"Women do not carry weapons." He told her. She smiled at him.
"I'm not a normal woman." She replied. Connor could think of nothing to say to this, so he asked a question.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere private." was the answer.
Sure enough, five minutes later, they stopped in front of a small, rundown house. The girl produced the keys, and unlocked the front door. Connor let her lead the way inside.
"Why are we here?"
"Because we need to talk." She threw him a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Holtz had shown Connor pictures of these, and he knew to put them on over his legs and body. He did so, while the girl started a fire in the grate, as the house was bitterly cold.
"Who are you?" He asked, now fully dressed, his voice steady. He was not nervous, or scared of this girl.
"My name is Lania Johnson."
"My name is Steven." He offered, as she dropped a pile of things on the small table in front of them. It was all junk food, in highly colourful wrappings. She even had some chocolate cake.
"Sorry, it's not." She told him. Connor felt confused, and then angry. He was scared of this place. He was alone, without his father, or anyone he knew. All he had was this girl, and she was lying to him.
"It is." He hissed defiantly.
"Your name is Connor. And Holtz isn't your father." She said simply. Connor withdrew his sword; no one was going to talk to him that way, no one was going to shatter his world like that.
"You lie!" He yelled. She didn't flinch, nor did she draw her own sword. She seemed strangely confident.
"I don't. The vampire is your father."
Connor hit her then, hard, right across the mouth. She went flying to the floor, her hair covering her face. He felt terrible for hitting her. But she stood, and hit him back, sending him reeling to his knees. He had never been hit so hard in his life. He didn't get up from his knees, knowing this was a battle he could not win. She stood over him, and drew her sword. Connor was certain she was going to cut his head off for being horrible to her, but she didn't. She slid her sword back into its sheath, and sat in front him, picking up a cloth as she did.
Before he could stop her, she tilted his chin back, and wiped at his lip with the cloth. No one had ever tended to him in this way, and he felt a sudden rush of affection for Lania. He touched her hair.
"I am sorry for hurting you." He mumbled, ashamed of himself.
"Don't be, it's not as if I wasn't asking for it." She said breezily, before picking up some of the chocolate cake in her hand.
"I don't deserve your kindness." Connor told her. She smiled, and he melted into her smile, with a slight gasp for air. He had never felt this way before.
"Here, have you ever tried this?" She asked as she held the chocolate cake out for him. He leaned forward, and ate it from her hand with a slight giggle. She laughed too, and in the warmth of the fire, Connor had never felt safer. In Lania's home, they listened to a rock band called Nirvana that Connor liked very much. He also sat alone in a corner for a while. Lania seemed to understand, and left him to it, sleeping for an hour or so, and eating. Connor didn't ever want to leave.
After they had eaten all the junk food Lania possessed, she stood, and flung some of the scattered clothes into a backpack. She doused the flames with water, and walked out onto the porch. Connor followed.
"Where are we going Lania?" He asked as she locked the door.
"I'm taking you back."
"I don't want to go back there!" He declared. She turned to face him, her expression sympathetic.
"I know, but you have to. You don't have anyone else Steven."
"I have you." She smiled, and touched his face.
"I can barely look after myself, never mind someone else. You saw the dump I live in. You have the chance for a real home."
"My home is with my father."
"In Qour-Toth? Steven, Holtz didn't follow you here." She told him. Connor's blue eyes widened in pain.
"What?"
"He even closed the portal, and it can never be opened again."
"He left me here?" Connor mumbled. He had always assumed that his father would come, and be with him. Qour-Toth was hell, and Connor had to get out.
"I'm sorry Steven. He wants you to live here, with Angel."
Connor nodded silently, and Lania began to walk down the garden path, and out into an alley. Connor, not wanting to be lost, and wanting to feel like he belonged, slid his hand into hers, and let her lead him back.
In the Hyperion lobby, Gunn was sharing the rumours with the gang. Angel was particularly interested, but his eyes kept flicking back to the front door, as if he was expecting someone.
"So there's a Slayer?" Cordy asked.
Just then, the door opened, and a stunningly pretty young girl, no more than 17 walked in, with Connor. She grinned.
"Someone call for a Slayer?"
"Connor!" Angel leapt over to the counter, and made his way over to his son, who slid behind Lania.
"Hi, you're Angel?" She smiled brightly. Angel nodded, rather distracted, trying to look at Connor over Lania's shoulder.
"Yeah, that's me."
"I'm Lania."
"The name doesn't ring a bell." Angel said, still trying to get to Connor, who hid his eyes behind his fringe.
"How about Lania the Vampire Slayer?" She offered. Angel stopped, and looked her up and down.
"You're the new Slayer?"
"In the flesh. And I believe this guy belongs to you." She touched Connor's arm, but he didn't step beside her. Instead, he clung to her hand, and hid behind his long fringe some more, not ready.
"He does." Angel's voice went slightly cold.
"Well ain't you lucky I bought him back? Listen, he likes chocolate cake, and call him Steven just now. He knows how to dress himself, and he likes some space. Also, he likes rock music, so you might wanna have the Nirvana blaring. And he likes baggy, dark coloured clothes." She advised with a small nod, before turning to leave.
"Lania, don't leave me here." Connor pleaded. It broke Angel's unbeating heart to hear him speaking that way.
"I'm sorry Steven, but Angel has enough to deal with right now. I'll drop by another time, kay?" She tried to smile, but Angel could tell she didn't like leaving Connor, when he desperately wanted her to stay.
"No, no, Angel will let you stay here, you can't go back to that place!" Connor exclaimed. Lania blushed slightly, and looked down at her shoes.
"What place?" Fred asked, stepping forward to get a better look at Lania.
"The place where she lives. It's cold and wet, and dark. Don't make her go back there." Connor begged.
"Steven, if Lania doesn't want to stay…" Fred began.
"But she does! Please Lania, I need you." Connor looked into her eyes, and could see she was giving in.
"You'll be fine here Steven." She mumbled weakly.
"I want to be fine with you. Please, just for a little while. You don't mind, do you Angel?" Connor asked.
"No, of course not. We could use a Slayer on our team. You're welcome to stay as long as you want Lania." Angel smiled, and Lania relaxed.
"Ok, I'll stay." She nodded. Connor smiled widely, and brightly, and it made him look so much younger.
"Thank you." He said, just loud enough for her to hear it.
"Anytime."
Two hours later, Lania was sitting in a smallish room, that was painted deep purple, with a large, very old wrought iron four poster bed with moth eaten purple velvet drapes.
Angel had told Lania to take any room she wanted, and she chose this one, knowing it was just across the hall from what would be Connor's room. Lania didn't really have any personal effects, only her clothes, she had to sell most of her belongings when her parents went on a Watchers mission 6 months ago and never returned, she had to support herself.
Lania knew it was wrong, but she was very attracted to Connor. He was strong, yet solitary, like her. And they had a connection now, she knew they did. It was something beyond teen lust, or attraction.
She was reading one of Wesley's books on Slayer lore, that she had found in his office when she heard the commotion outside her door.
"Lemme out!" Connor yelled. Lania got up, sensing distress in his voice, and ventured out into the hallway.
Cordelia and Gunn were trying desperately to hold one of the doors shut. Connor must have been on the other side of the door, banging it with his fists and demanding to be let out.
"Connor, this is to be your room!" Cordelia tried to speak over the din Connor was making, but he only banged harder.
"Dude, chill!" Gunn yelled, but Lania, feeling very angry and protective towards Connor, pulled Gunn's arm away from the door.
"You idiots! You're not going to make him sleep in there alone are you?" She asked coldly.
"Why not?" Cordelia snapped, still trying to hold the door shut.
"Where he comes from, you're only made to sleep alone if you're about to be executed the next day. You're scaring him; let him out for Christ's sake! Lania explained, and yanked Cordelia's hand away from the door, that sprang open.
Connor toppled out into the doorway, right into Lania, sending the pair of them flying down the staircase. Connor hit his head on the way down, and was knocked unconscious, but when Lania landed in the lobby, she stood almost straight away, dusting herself off.
"What is going on?" Angel asked, as Lania helped him drag Connor over to the chaise long, where he began to stir.
"Your friends gave Connor the fright of his life." She snapped, as she examined the gash above Connor's eye.
"What?" Angel asked as he grabbed the first aid kit.
"They tried to make him sleep alone, and in Qour-Toth, the only time that happens is if you're going to die the next day."
"I didn't know." Angel mumbled.
"Well now your son is scared to death of you and all your friends. He didn't wanna come back here in the first place." Lania spoke as she tended to Connor's wound. He made little hissing noises of pain, but didn't protest.
"Why did he?" Angel opened Connor's eyes, to check his pupils.
"I made him."
"Thank you, for all you've done Lania."
"It's my pleasure."
"But if you don't mind me asking, why exactly are you doing this?"
"I understand what Connor's going through, and he's gonna need a lot of support. He has the potential to be an amazing person, he just needs the chance." Lania answered softly. Connor groaned, and opened his eyes.
"Lania, they're trying to…they're going to…" He tried to speak, but it was as if he couldn't find the words.
"No they're not Connor, they just didn't know Ok? Don't worry about it, I won't anyone hurt you." She promised, as she brushed the hair away from his eyes. He took her hand, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't let them put me in that awful room alone." He begged. She looked at Angel, who nodded.
"It's Ok Connor, you can spend the night in my room." Connor nodded, and leaned on her so he could get up. She led him back upstairs, and into her room. Connor was so dazed that she took his shirt and shoes off for him, and lay him on the bed while she undressed.
Lania was just setting a bed up on the floor when Connor sat up, rubbed his eyes, and spoke.
"You should take the bed." He said wearily.
"I don't think so, you've got that nasty cut."
"I don't like…I've never had to…sleep alone." Connor confessed.
"Connor, I don't think it's appropriate that we share a bed."
"I won't do anything, I promise."
"I know, but people might not see it that way."
"I'll sleep at your feet, that's where I used to sleep with my father." Lania looked up at him, and her expression softened.
"Ok then." She nodded, and climbed into bed. She drew the covers over herself, and Connor curled up at her feet, and was asleep in minutes.
Lania woke the next morning in Connor's arms. How he had gotten there, or how their legs had become so tangled she didn't know. Lania did know however that in his arms, she felt needed, wanted even. She hadn't felt that way in a long time.
She got up, showered and dressed while Connor slept soundly on. Lania had reason to suspect that Connor hadn't had a full night's sleep in a very long while, so she let him sleep.
Lania was sitting at the long breakfast bar drinking coffee when Connor stumbled downstairs. Angel, Cordelia, Wes, Gunn and Fred were already there, all up and dressed, and talking about some call they'd gotten first thing that morning.
"Morning Connor." Lania smiled over the top of her coffee cup. Connor brushed the hair from his eyes, looked up and smiled back at her.
"Hey. Is there any coffee left?" He asked as he crossed the room and joined Lania at the bar. He slid easily onto the high stool beside her, and she handed him her coffee cup.
"Here, you need this more than I do." She laughed. He laughed back, and took a long sip from the mug in his pale hands.
"Thanks. So what are we going to do today?" He spoke confidently now, not to his feet or the floor.
"Well I'm going to bed." Angel shrugged. "Later everyone." He nodded, before descending the stairs to the basement where he slept during the day.
"Gunn and I are going to check out a lead on a new case." Fred smiled at Connor, who smiled back, glad for the friendly gesture.
"And I'm going shopping." Cordelia finished brightly, with a smile for Connor too. But he could sense it was a different kind of smile.
"You two can stay here if you want, you know, explore the hotel. It is going to be your home now after all." Fred suggested.
"Yeah, we'll do that." Connor agreed, and sat down on the sofa in front of the TV. He pressed a button on the remote, and the TV flickered into life.
"You had TV in Qour-Toth?" Gunn asked.
"Just the one." Connor answered, already engrossed in the morning cartoons. Lania sat beside him, and drank what remained in the coffee cup.
"You have fun, kay? Gunn and me will be gone all day, so if you get hungry, fix something up. Bye!" Fred waved, before she departed with Gunn.
Connor turned to Lania, and grinned. She couldn't help but grin back, and they both turned back to the TV to watch cartoons.
Two months later, and nothing had changed. Fred, Gunn and Cordelia would go about their business during the day while Angel slept. Lania and Connor would spend all day together, and then they would go hunting together at night. They got on really well, and became close friends very quickly.
They were sitting facing each other, cross-legged in the window seat in Lania's room. It was a dull, rainy day outside, so they drew the curtains. Connor had spilt water on his shirt, so he was sitting topless, waiting for it to dry in the dryer.
"Why did you live alone?" Connor asked, not looking at Lania, but out at the rain, which he had never seen before.
"My parents are missing." Lania answered simply. Connor looked into her eyes, not understanding.
"Missing?"
"They were both Watchers, for the Council."
"I know about the Council, my father…Holtz told me about Slayers."
"Well my parents went on a mission for the Council six months ago, and they never came back."
"Shouldn't you go to school or something?"
"I dropped out after the whole thing with my parents. Then I was called as a Slayer, and I didn't see much point in going back."
"Holtz taught me, about English, and Maths, and Physics, everything. He was a good teacher. But not a very good father." Connor remarked bitterly, returning to looking out the window.
"What do you mean?"
"Why didn't he come with me? Why did he leave me here? What did I do to him? I must have been a bad son, a bad person." Connor looked down at his legs that were crossed like Lania's in front of him.
"You're not a bad person Connor. You are sweet, and smart, and brave. Holtz was silly to let you go, but he realises that you would have a better life here. This is where you belong."
"It hurts." Connor said simply, a lone tear streaking down his cheek. Lania sat forward, and wiped it away.
"It'll get better, as time goes on. Things always get better." She promised quietly. Connor nodded.
"I guess. Lania, can I tell you something?"
"Anything." Lania replied, hoping to make Connor feel better.
"I don't know how to say this…but I…"
"I won't laugh or anything, I swear."
"Ok, I'll just go for it."
"Yeah Connor, just go for it." She urged him, hoping to make him talk about what he was going through.
But Connor didn't talk. Quick as lightning, he sat forward, and kissed Lania. He was leaning on his knees, and so he was taller than her. He didn't really know what to do, and the longer he kissed her, the harder it was to think. So he slid his hands up her back, pressing her body close to his. All of Connor's thoughts were evaporating, and all he wanted was to keep on kissing Lania.
Eventually, Connor stood, and Lania stood with him. He wrapped his arms round her waist, so that every inch of their bodies were touching. Connor felt like he was on fire, but that he would gladly burn for this. He kissed the soft pale skin at the base of Lania's neck, and then they both fell onto the bed. Connor landed on top, and they continued kissing, even though they both knew it would end in more than that.
Cordelia strutted up the stairs leading into the Hyperion, dressed in her best short skirt and strappy top. She had known the second she had seen Connor look at Lania that first morning that Connor felt for the new little Slayer in town.
And Angel did not approve. Last night, before Cordelia left, he had confided in her, all his fears.
"Lania…she's a great person, I can tell, and she would die for Connor." Angel had said, while looking at the new case file Cordelia had put before him.
"Well what's the problem?" Cordy smiled her best smile.
"The problem is, love weakens people. Lania and Connor, if anything happens between them, they could both end up dead. If Wolfram and Hart even knew about Lania being a Slayer, she would be dead by now."
"But how does Connor figure into all this?"
"If Lania and Connor got too close, then he would become a weapon for Wolfram and Hart to use against us, to use against Lania. We have to keep them away from each other." Angel explained.
"Yeah like that'd work. You saw the way Connor looks at her Angel. They spend all their time together; he's always talking about her. He's got it bad for her. And I'd bet my life she feels the same way. Keeping them separated? Easier said than done." Cordelia shrugged.
"Well it has to be done. We'll find a way." Angel vowed.
And while she was shopping that day, Cordelia figured out a way. Sure, Lania was pretty, but so was Cordy. If she could just distract Connor from Lania for a little while, then she was sure things would cool down between them.
Cordelia knew it would be a challenge. Lania was younger than her, with a perfect pale complexion, and long legs that would make any sane guy go gaga. But Cordy was up for a challenge.
So she ran her tongue over her blood red lips, yanked her top down a little to reveal her…assets, and strolled into the Hyperion lobby, grinning.
Clothes were everywhere, on the floor, on the window seat, flung over the back of a chair. The curtains made sure that only a little bit of light got into the room. The heavy purple drapes were pulled round Lania's bed, concealing the young couple, who were lying serenely in each other's arms.
"That was new." Lania breathed. Connor laughed lightly, and pulled her closer. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady, soothing sound of his heartbeat.
"Yeah, it was. I feel…different. Like I don't need to do anything, or be anything. I just need to be here."
"I know what you mean." Lania agreed. "So where do we go from here?"
` "I dunno. I mean, I wanna be with you. Like in Romeo and Juliet. I wanna be your Romeo." Connor replied thoughtfully.
"Romeo ended up dead Connor." Lania smiled.
"Well, maybe that was a bad example. I remember reading about love, and self-sacrifice, and sex and everything. I read about beautiful girls, and about relationships, but I never understood it until now. I think I wanna be with you forever." Connor told her. Lania stayed silent for a second.
"We've only known each other two months. You don't even know me that well Connor."
"I feel like I do. I want to be with you every second. Um…I wanna be your boyfriend." He finished, and Lania tilted her head back, and kissed him. He kissed her back, slowly.
And then the door swung open, and Cordelia walked in.
"Holy Christ!" She exclaimed, as her hand flew to her mouth. Connor and Lania both flushed deep scarlet.
"Cordelia…we were just…" Connor began.
"Oh my god! You two had sex!" She practically screamed. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" She cried, before turning and walking out of the room, and back down the stairs.
"I think that's our cue to get dressed. We have some serious explaining to do." Lania muttered.
Angel, Cordelia, Fred and Gunn were all waiting in the lobby when Connor and Lania descended the stairs; both fully dressed, but holding hands. Connor wasn't scared exactly, but his stomach was all twisted in knots, and holding Lania's hand made him feel better, safer.
"What in hell do you think you were doing?" Angel spat as soon as they were in the lobby. Connor slid in front of Lania.
"It was my fault, I kissed Lania. I know it was stupid…"
"You've only known each other two months and you're already jumping into bed! I know you're teenagers, and hormones and everything, but you need to get a grip!" Angel yelled. Gunn snickered behind his hand.
"I think they've already covered that part boss." He added. Angel glared at him for a second, before rounding on Connor and Lania again.
"What you did was stupid, reckless and selfish. You didn't stop to think, or…"
"Maybe we didn't have to think. Maybe it just felt so right that we didn't need to stop, or consider what we were doing! We want to be together!" Connor protested.
"You are not going to see each other again do you hear me? You're forbidden, or banned, or whatever you want to call it." Angel snarled.
"Angel maybe you're being a little harsh." Fred whispered, but Angel heard her, and glared at her too.
"I am not being harsh. You two aren't to see each other again!"
"How you gonna figure that one? Lania lives here!" Connor yelled.
"Not any more. Get the hell out." Angel said simply, with a shrug of the shoulders. Connor's eyes widened.
"No, you can't!" He began, but Lania stepped out from behind him, her face set in determination, but her eyes sad. She turned to Connor.
"I'm sorry." She told him.
"No, no you can't go, don't go. I want to be with you."
"I know Connor, I want to be with you too. But this is Angel's place, we have to respect him."
"I don't! Lania, if you're going, I'm going."
"You have to stay here."
"Why?" Connor looked at her from beneath his fringe, and Lania could feel her heart breaking inside her.
"Because you need to find out where you come from, and who you are. I couldn't look after you."
"I can look after myself." Connor argued weakly, even though he knew he had no chance. She was leaving, without him, and it hurt more than he could stand.
"Take care of yourself, ok?" She tried to smile, but couldn't quite manage it. Tears began to run down her cheeks, and she tried to wipe them away before Connor could see. He wrapped his arms around her, and held her. He couldn't believe it would be for the last time. He kissed her, desperately hoping he could change her mind. But Lania pulled away, and stroked his hair.
And then, she turned on her heel, and crossed the room to the door. Connor was sobbing freely now, he didn't want to lose the only good thing that had ever happened to him.
"I love you!" He screamed, on his knees. Lania stopped, and turned to see him, a broken shell, crying his shattered heart out.
"I love you too." And with that said, with both of them in tears, she turned, and disappeared into the inky night.
Connor lay sobbing on the floor for a few minutes, a broken shell of the smiling, laughing person that had inhabited the Hyperion that very same afternoon. The others stood, uncomfortable. Angel didn't know what to do or say, he had no idea his throwing Lania out would affect Connor in this way.
After a while, Connor stopped sobbing, but he just lay on the ground, his breath coming in great racking gasps. Angel bent over him, and went to touch his shoulder, but Connor was up, quick as lightening. He grabbed a sword, and pressed it to Angel's throat.
"How dare you!" He snarled. Angel backed up, but so did Connor, so Angel ended up with his back pressed against the wall, and the tip of the sword digging into his throat.
"Connor, you don't wanna do this." Angel spoke, his voice grating.
"Sure I do."
"Connor…"
"Don't Connor me! You sent away the one good thing in my life! You ruined my only chance for happiness! I want to be with her! I love her!"
"She's not special enough for you Connor. She's a Slayer, you could never have anything normal."
"I don't want normal, I want her!"
"Connor, you're new to this whole world, you don't understand." Angel stammered.
"I understand perfectly well. I love Lania, and you knew it! You sent her away because you don't want me to be happy! You want me to be alone, and cold, just like you are. And you call yourself a father." Connor spat bitterly, pulled the sword away from Angel's throat, and left out the front door.
Two weeks later, and Fred was poring over the latest case file. Angel and Gunn were out doing the physical detective thing, and she was here, doing the educated detective thing.
Connor stormed in through front door, a stake in his hand. He was dressed all in black, as he had been for the past week. He had went out patrolling every night alone since Lania left, and Fred was pretty sure he wasn't hunting vampires, he was hunting her.
Fred personally hated seeing Connor this way. He was moody and detached, not leaving his room during the day. When Lania was around, he was happy, he would laugh and smile, and would almost be normal. She wanted him to be happy, and she would help him all she could.
"Still no sign of her?" She asked quietly.
"No," was Connor's reply. He knew there was no point in dodging Fred's question, and he liked Fred enough to be honest with her.
"Do you want some help? Finding her I mean." Fred offered. Connor pierced her with a look; it was as if he could see right through her.
"How could you help me?"
"Well, I know people, and Lorne knows people. We could ask around, spread the word that we're looking for the Slayer. I mean, she's gotta stand out."
"Thank you." Connor smiled, and it was the first smile Fred had seen on his face for a while.
"No problem. I'll just make a call." She picked up the phone, and dialled the number of the police department. She knew someone there who would help them.
"Hey Jenny, I need a favour." She said into the mouthpiece. Connor slid his stake into his boot, and sat down.
"I'm looking for a girl, her name is Lania. She's kinda…violent. Have you had any calls about a teenage girl fighting recently?" There was a pause, and then Fred grinned. "That's her. Someone's on the way to pick her up, kay? Thanks Jenny." She put the phone down, and turned to Connor.
"Good news, Lania's at the police station. She was picked up a couple of days ago, she was sleeping rough. You can go collect her, all you need to do is sign one form, and she's free." Connor's eyes widened, and his mouth split into an adorable grin. He leapt over the counter, and hugged Fred.
"Thank you so much!" He laughed, before running out the door again, out into the night, to claim back his heart.
The police station was welcoming. It was brightly lit, and had pale green walls. Connor walked up to the front reception, and rung the bell. A pretty young girl came to tend to whatever he was there for. He noticed her nametag said "Jenny."
"Hi, my name is Connor Holtz. I'm here to pick up Lania Johnson? My friend Fred called earlier." He spoke with a smile, he couldn't help it.
"If you could just sign this." Jenny handed him a sheet of paper, it was some sort of form. He signed the bottom of it.
"Is she ready?" He asked excitedly.
"Yes, I'll just go get her for you." Jenny disappeared through a small wooden door, and emerged a minute later, with Lania behind her.
Lania's hair was pulled back in a simple pony, and she was wearing a short red skirt and a black vest. She looked amazing, and she ran into Connor's arms. He held her tight, never wanting to let go. He breathed her in; so glad she was back in his arms, where she belonged.
He tilted her head back, found her lips, and kissed her gently. He couldn't believe she was here, in his arms, that he was holding her.
"I've missed you so much Connor, I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too." He murmured to her neck.
"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to walk out on you, I just didn't want to cause any trouble. You and Angel have a lot to work through."
"And we will, but I can't live without you. Please come back with me."
"I dunno Connor, I don't wanna intrude."
"You won't be intruding. Angel realises you're a Slayer, and that we need you around. That I need you around."
"Connor, I can't come back just now. I need time to think, I need to be alone for a while. Do you understand?"
"No. Lania, I can't let you walk away from me again."
"I'm not walking away from you. I just…there's a lotta stuff I have to think through right now."
"Like what?"
"Like a lot of stuff. I'm 17 years old, and I have no friends, no family. As a slayer, I can't expect much of a future. I need to figure out where I am as a person. And I have to do that alone."
"You don't wanna be with me?"
"I do. But until I've accepted what I am, I can't accept anyone else."
"Where will you go?"
"I don't know. Somewhere far away I think."
"How will you find me again? What if you forget me?" He asked quietly. Lania unhooked something behind her neck, and took off her silver cross. She slipped it round Connor's neck, and hooked it into place.
"Well now you won't forget me." Connor slid his silver thumb ring from his finger, and slipped it onto Lania's finger.
"And now you won't forget me."
"I'm not gonna say goodbye, cuz that makes it sound like we'll never see each other again. And we will."
"What will we say?"
"I'll see you later Connor."
"See you later Lania." He replied slowly. He did not cry this time, although he desperately wanted to. This time, Connor watched her go, before slipping back out into the night.
Angel was furious with Fred. He had trusted her, he had taken her in, and yet here she was, helping Connor find Lania again.
After Connor had left, Angel had woken, and Fred had confessed everything. How she helped Connor find Lania again. He was in the middle of shouting at her when the door swung open, and Connor stood in the doorway, not really moving, playing with a silver cross around his neck.
"Stop shouting at her." He said simply.
"Connor why did you…" Angel began angrily. But Connor shook his head wearily, and raised a hand to silence him.
"Lania's not coming back. Not yet anyway."
"What? Why not?" Gunn asked, draping his arm protectively around Fred's shoulder as he spoke.
"Cuz she's not ready. She needs time to think about things."
"And you're ok with that?" Fred asked quietly.
"If it's what Lania wants, then yes."
"Will she ever come back?" Cordelia asked, unable to keep the joy from her voice. Connor threw her a venomous look.
"Of course she will."
"Being called is a tough time for the Slayer. And after all Lania's been through…it's no wonder she needs time alone." Wesley added thoughtfully.
"But she'll be back right? I really liked havin' her around." Fred smiled.
"She'll be back. Just give her time."
Two months passed. Connor didn't spend as much time alone as he used to, and he talked a lot more. He would eat with the gang, and he even began talking to Angel, who loved it.
Connor also confided a lot in Fred. He was beginning to worry that Lania would never come back. After all that time, he still loved her very much.
But then things got hairy. A vampire put out a contract on Connor's life, in an attempt to hurt Angel. This vampire, although not the sharpest tool in the shed, had a lot of henchmen, and Connor couldn't be protected 24/7.
"So Angel, what we gonna do? We can't fine well send Connor away, but we can't protect him all the time either." Fred pointed out
"And I'm not planning on going anywhere." Connor said firmly.
"There has to be a way, there has to be someone who can help us." Angel replied as he flicked through a large volume.
"I believe we need a Slayer." Wesley murmured, while reading a dusty book.
"Present. Man, you gotta admit, my timing kicks ass almost as well as I do." Lania's voice said from the doorway. Connor looked up, not daring to believe it. Everyone stood in silence, not sure of what to say.
Lania looked different. Her long waves of hair had been cut punkishly short. She was wearing ripped jeans, a black shirt and a long leather jacket. She had a cut on her lip, and one just above her newly pierced eyebrow.
Connor stood, taking everything in. yes, she looked different, but she was still his Lania, and he still loved her. She was still wearing his silver ring, and under his shirt, he was still wearing her cross.
"Lania." He said, under his breath. She smiled at him, as he stood on the steps in front of her, looking up at her beautiful face.
"I've missed you Con." And with that, Connor wrapped his arms around her, vowing to never let her go again. She clung to him, and closed her eyes, as if she was dreaming. The gang watched the tender exchange. Connor tilted Lania's chin back, checking her injuries, while running his hands through her hair. He was choked up, he didn't know what to say, all he wanted was to be holding her. He kissed her gently, not wanting to show off or anything in front of the others.
"God I've missed you so much." He whispered.
"I'm never leaving you again." She promised. He took her hand in his, and led her down the stairs, to the others.
Fred rushed forward, and embraced Lania, who laughed and embraced her back. They stood hugging for a while, before Fred let her go. Lania sat down beside Connor, who couldn't take his eyes from her.
"So what's the synch? A coupla vamps been talkin, sayin somethin' bout a contract. I dunno what it was about though." Lania shrugged.
"There is a contract out on Connor's life." Cordy answered coldly, obviously not pleased that Lania was back in town.
"Really? Who put it out?" Lania asked, sliding a little closer to Connor.
"A vamp called Aktrion. Sound familiar?" Gunn asked, sitting down beside her. The whole group had stopped what they were doing, and even Angel was glad Lania was back.
"Yeah, Aktrion's a no-brainer. There is no way he's behind this, he doesn't have the intelligence to think up a plan like that." Lania answered.
"So he's frontin' for someone? Like who?" Gunn looked round at the others, looking for an answer.
"Wolfram and Hart." Angel replied simply, closing his book, and walking out from behind the counter.
"Who and who?" Lania looked confused, and Wesley spoke.
"Wolfram and Hart are a company of lawyers. They deal with all sorts of clients, human and demon. They know about slayers, and Angel, and all of us. But we've been trying to keep you and Connor a secret from them." He explained.
"Why?" Connor asked, he had not known this.
"Because they could use you as a weapon against me. Lania, they probably want to bring you over to their side." Angel said quietly.
"But now they know about Connor, and he's in grave danger." Cordelia said melodramatically.
"But do they know about Lania? She hasn't been attacked or anything yet." Fred pointed out.
"Well actually…" Lania began. Everyone stopped to look at her, to hear what she had to say.
"When I was just back in LA, I was attacked by two guys in suits. They were mega fit, and you know, well trained. I didn't think much of it at the time."
"So now they know about Lania, and they know about Connor, but they don't now about Lania and Connor being…ah…together." Wesley said.
"That's pretty much it." Gunn agreed.
"Well at least we're one step ahead. I want it to stay that way." Angel said firmly. "Lania, you are the most qualified to protect Connor."
"I don't need protecting!" Connor argued. "I can look after myself!"
"We know you can fight Connor, but chances are, should Wolfram and Hart decided to come after you, it'll be a massive attack. You'd never be on an even footing." Wesley explained. Connor could find no argument for against this, and sat in silence, with his arms folded.
"Wes is right, but what can we do about it?" Cordelia asked.
"Maybe we should just lay low for a while." Lania suggested. "We can still patrol and everythin, but nothin major, so that we don't draw attention to ourselves."
"Well I guess that's our only option just now." Angel agreed.
The others all got up to leave, including Connor, who told Lania he was going upstairs. There was no mistaking the fatigue in his features, and Lania watched him go, before turning to Angel.
"Why are they really after him? Angel, if they wanted to hurt you, they could take Fred, Cordy, Gunn or Wes. Why are they after Connor?"
"I think they might wanna use him to bribe you." Angel answered, his gaze meeting hers.
"How?"
"They'd probably take him hostage, and refuse to give him back unless you do something for them. Lania, if something's gonna happen, it's gonna happen soon."
"I know. But if they want Connor, they're gonna have one hell of a fight on their hands."