CHAPTER 12

Historical Note: This Trilogy takes place in the fifth season of Buffy, and the third season of Angel.

Author's Note: By now in the show, Dawn has joined the Summers' family, but the arrival of Glory will be postponed due to my stories perspective; which is about Buffy, Angel, and Connor.

Also, you'll notice that some of the plots from both of the shows later episodes are happening sooner since I've altered a lot of both shows story lines.

The next day, Angel walked into the room that Connor had chosen the night before, carrying a bookshelf; and set it down beside an empty wall.

"There, it looks alright," Angel noted as he stood up. Connor looked up from the letter.

"Yeah, it's alright," Connor said. Angel noticed something was missing.

"If you want, I can send Cordy out to buy a TV to put in here," Angel suggested. Buffy then walked into the room with a can of soda in her hands.

"And if you want I can take you to get some clothes," Buffy offered.

"Ok, sure," Connor said. Buffy held up her soda.

"Want one?" she asked. Connor shook his head. "Alright, are you hungry?" She asked.

"No. I'm all set, thanks," he said. The room fell silent. Connor suddenly sprang up from the bed and attacked Angel, whom quickly stopped him. Buffy looks at the two of them confused.

"I want to learn moves from you," Connor told him. Angel looked at Connor and smiled.

* * *

A few hours later in the lobby, Fred and Gunn accompanied Buffy and Angel, helping them teach Connor new moves. Lorne suddenly walked in carrying suitcases in both hands.

"Lorne, where are you going?" Buffy asked.

"I have to go help out a friend in Las Vegas, remember?" Lorne reminded them.

"Right," she said now remembering. Lorne set his suitcases down where he stood and walked over to her.

"It's alright sweet potato, I came down here to say my final good byes," he explained as he hugged Buffy. Buffy smiled. She and Lorne had bonded well. He was like a Giles figure to her almost.

"Good luck with everything, and if you guys need me, you know where to reach me," he told them all before leaving.

"Alright, how much you wanna bet he'll be back in a few days; a week tops," Gunn said. Angel shot him a look.

"Alright, fine. Let's just get back to the fighting," Gunn suggested. He looked back and fourth at Buffy and Angel.

"I've got an idea. Why don't you two show us some moves?"

Buffy looked at Angel and shrugged. "If he's up for it."

"Yeah, I'm up for it," Angel said as he stepped forward. The two of them smiled at each other. They then began to practice their different fighting moves and laughing as they did it.

A few minutes of showing off their battle strategies to their son, Buffy decided to do something different as they trained. She dropped to the floor to dodge one of Angel's moves, and tripped him. She quickly sprung up and pinned Angel before he could get back up.

"Gotcha!" Buffy said happily. "And that is one way to kick your butt," she declared, still straddling him. Angel smiled up at her as he softly pulled her face down towards his and kissed her. Gunn rolled his eyes.

"Oh boy. Here we go," he said to Connor as the two kissed. "Alright you too, break it up, young eyes here," Gunn reminded them. Buffy lifted her head, and looked up at them. Angel sat up. Gunn turned towards Connor.

"You'll be seeing that a lot," he assured him.

"Great," Connor replied. He then remembered what time it was. "Look. I've gotta get going. I have to meet a friend of mine, but I'll be back later," he told them.

"Alright, be careful," Buffy told him.

"I will," he promised before walking out the door.

* * *

Nightfall came quickly, and still Connor hadn't returned. Buffy became worried as the time dragged on.

"He should be here by now," Buffy said as she walked into the room.

"I'm sure they just lost track of time," Gunn assured her. "Unless of coarse it was a girlfriend he was going to meet. Then I know why he isn't home," he added. Both Buffy and Angel looked at Gunn.

"It was just a thought," he said.

"Thanks Gunn. Now I'm really going to wonder what my teenage son is out doing," Angel said as he plopped down on the couch.

"I'm sure he's not out..." she trailed off. "Right Angel?" she asked.

"Right. I mean, he's responsible, and mature- I think, and, and..." Angel paused trying to think of something else that would convince both him and Buffy that their son wasn't out doing something with some girl.

"A hormonal teenager?" Buffy finished un-easy. She looked over at Gunn. "Thanks," she said as she sat down beside Angel. All of a sudden, the lobby phone rang.

"You see. That's probably him now," Angle said as he got up and answered the phone.

"Hello?" Angel said into the phone. He paused and listened for a second, as Buffy looked hopeful at him from the couch. She all of a sudden noticed Angel's expression turned serious.

"What's wrong?" Buffy asked as she got up and walked over to Angel. "Was it-"

"No. Someone's in trouble down at Dupont Point. They want me to meet them there," he explained.

"But what about Connor?" she asked.

"I'll look for him after I deal with this," he said. "Buffy don't worry. He can take care of himself," he reminded her before leaving. Just then, Cordelia walked into the room.

"Hey Buffy. Where's Angel?" she asked as she noticed Angel's absence.

"Someone called and needed his help. He'll be back in a little while, why? Did you get a vision?" Buffy asked. Cordelia shook her head.

"Nope, just curious. I mean, I know Wesley and Fred are still here, but everyone else is gone accept for us," Cordelia explained. "And I'm leaving," she added.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked curiously. Cordelia smiled.

"I've got a date," she said happily.

"I don't have to give you the birds and the bee's talk, do I?" Buffy asked jokingly.

"I'm covered. But from what I hear, you may want to have that talk with your son," Cordelia told her.

"He wouldn't do that- I hope," Buffy said.

"I wouldn't completely rule it out. I mean, for one he's a teenager. I mean, what were you doing at that age, or what was Angel doing for that matter?" Cordelia asked.

"I wasn't-" Buffy began. Cordelia looked at her.

"Please. I remember when we all went through the Angelus appearance after you too got all groiny," she reminded her.

"Weren't you about Connor's age?" Cordelia asked her. Buffy sighed. "And second, in case you haven't noticed, he inherited a lot of Angel's good looks. I'm sure once the girls around L.A. see him, you'll have to beat them off of him," she added.

"Thanks Cordy. I knew I could count on you," Buffy said sarcastically.

"Glad to help. I'll see you tomorrow," Cordelia said before she left.

"Great," Buffy said as she sat alone in the lobby.