CHAPTER 8

Historical Note: By now, the story takes place in the end of the fifth season of Buffy, and the fourth season of Angel.

Author's Note: Yes, I myself was sad to see Joyce die on the show. She was a pretty cool mother, but at times (like actual moms) she could be kinda… well, a mom. LOL. But since it happened on the show, I had to write it in here as well that she died. Which actually kinda fits cause it seems that Buffy always has these massive responsibilities. Plus, I kinda wanna see what it'd be like Connor and Dawn meeting (in a non-romantic context.) I need more opinions about the Cordy/Connor thing. I need people's advice here. I'm begging you, I mean, on my knees! LoL. PLEASE e-mail me and met me know!

Author's Note/Historical Note: This part takes place three months after where the second one left off. Angel is still missing, leaving Buffy to deal with the Hyperion Hotel, and to raise Connor. Cordelia has also gone missing, and the crew is searching for her as well. Also, Joyce gets terminally ill, forcing Buffy to go back to Sunnydale and take care of things for awhile not knowing she'd end up doing it permanently.

A Few Weeks Later...

"Hey Buffy? Um, what are we gonna have for dinner?" Dawn asked as she walked over to her sister. Buffy smiled at the sight of her sister. She knew it was hard for her sister, but after a few weeks, she seemed to be adjusting just fine. In fact, Dawn was being kept busy enough unpacking, and learning her away around the hotel, and getting to know Angel's crew.

"Well, I was kinda thinking of ordering a pizza. Is that ok?" she asked. Dawn nodded.

"Yeah, that's fine," she said. She then looked around the room then back at her sister. "I still can't believe this is my new home. It's so big," she said in awe as if she had just seen it.

"I know. That's how I first reacted," she admitted.

"But it'll never be like home," Dawn said. Buffy sighed as she put her arm around her sister.

"No, it won't, we can't go back Dawnie," she said. Dawn looked up at her sister and nodded.

"I just miss everyone back in Sunnydale," she said. Buffy thought about what would make her sister happy and decided to do something for her.

"Dawn, how would you like to stay with Willow and Tara next weekend?" Buffy asked. Dawn's face lit up.

"Are you serious?" she asked happily.

"Well, I'd have to call them and ask if it'd be ok, but yeah, I am," she said.

"Oh my God, Buffy, you're the coolest!" Dawn exclaimed as she practically jumped into her sister's arms and hugged her.

"Well there's my two favorite girls," Angel said as he walked over to the two of them.

"Hey Angel. I may be staying with Willow and Tara next weekend!" she said happily.

"That's great," Angel said. He knew Dawn was feeling a little home sick, and spending time with Willow and Tara would be perfect for her.

Buffy frowned when she noticed Angel had his coat in his hands.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going out to go kill some bad guys," Angel said as he walked over to Buffy and lowered his lips to hers.

"And to check up on our son," he added as he pulled away and headed towards the door. "God only knows what he's been up to; the trouble he's probably gotten himself into," Angel said as he thought about how much trouble their son had probably gotten into since he checked up on him last. It was a little weird having a son; a teenage one at that when he was really only a year old. It was even weirder having a child that lived else where, when he should have been living with them; like a family. It hurt Angel more then he let on when he kicked Connor out of the hotel, but he didn't want Connor to become a threat to anyone else after what he had done to Angel.

"Then I should go too," she said. He turned around.

"No. You're going to stay here with Dawn, and order a pizza," he told her.

"Fine. Just, be careful," she said. Angel smiled before disappearing out the door. Buffy sighed.

"Sometimes, he makes me crazy," she said as she crossed her arms.

"Yeah, but that's only because you love each other," Dawn said.

"Yeah," she agreed. She then looked at her sister and smiled. "Why don't we order that pizza, huh? I'm getting hungry," she said as she walked over to the phone.

* * *

Angel stood on a rooftop downtown looking down as he watched Connor pummeled a vampire in an empty alley. Connor was unaware that Angel was watching him from the top of a building. Angel watched as the vampire tried to get away. Wanting to secretly lend a hand to his son, he quickly looked around the rooftop for something to drop down. Finally, the only thing he could find was a cement vase. He shrugged his shoulders and dropped it down below, in the vampire's path. That gave Connor a chance to grab the vampire and stake the creature. Angel watched then quickly moved out of site just as Connor looked up to see where the vase had dropped from. Angel, satisfied with the night's check up on Connor, smiled at the thought of his son before disappearing into the darkness.

"At least he's taking care of himself," Angel said to himself as he began to walk away, and headed home.