Chapter 20.
The room was underground. That much was obvious. No hint of a breeze or clean air came from the
doorways. The walls were unfinished stone, the ground, dirt. The only source of light was from a fire sunk
into the middle of the floor.
Monks in long brown robes lined the walls, but their were gapes in their ranks, as if some of their number
were missing.
Several corpses lay in a broken bloodied pile at the far end. Behind an altar that might have once
been white, but as now caked in dried blood, stood a tall demon. He was dressed in long robes reminiscent
of those of a priest. He wore a crucifix.
His breath was hot and rank and the long robes of white could not hide the grotesque way his body
convulsed with every forced upright step.
"Bring the book."
His voice was loud and sounded wet.
Two monks quickly came forward holding a huge leather bound book between them. They bowed and
edged backwards away from their lord, their eyes averted.
The demon took up the ancient book and opened it upon the pulpit that stood before the altar.
"The Book tells us that he shall be born of divine flesh near 9 months from this day."
He shut the book.
"We must rescue the Giver's mother. She will need to be …taught of her holy destiny, of the way in
which her son must be reared. Then she shall take her rightful place as the mother of our people.
Only then can I shed this accursed demon's body, and return to my true form"
fools! I shall bathe in the blood of each and everyone of you! Then, through sacrificing the boy I will
have more power than any other on earth…my form will change.. I will have the power to resemble
whoever I wish… you will worship as your god, not just your messiah!
The demon's mouth twisted in what might have been a smile.
and in return, I shall make you alll taste the life of the damned!! .. but First I must get the Key. After she
gives birth I shall impregnate her with a second child, lest the first should die in Quar-toth. Then I will
possess her. . That way I can be sure of the loyalty of her son.
******
Cordy sat bolt upright in her bed.
Instantly she felt Angel awaken next to her and sit up.
She could still taste the stench of that place in the back of her mouth.
oh god… I have to warn Connor and Dawn, even if I did swear not to tell Angel, they can tell him…
She felt Angel's arms around her, pulling her near, "Cordy? What's wrong?"
She tried to smile, gave up, and buried her head in his chest. "oh, nightmare. I might just go and get a drink.
I'll be back."
She stood, knowing Angel would be frowning into the darkness.
******
Angel sat up in bed starring at the door, waiting for Cordy to return. He knew more was worrying her than
a nightmare. She'd been distant for the last week. She and Lorne still knew something that they weren't
telling him, or Connor.
He looked over at the window. He could make out the light of sunset around the edges of the thick curtains.
It was time he got up anyway.
I'm going to go ask her… she can't keep what ever it is she knows from me forever.
He concentrated on sensing Cordy, and tried to find out where in the hotel she was.
A few seconds later he stood up and heading towards the stairs.
She's in Connor's room, maybe she's finally going to tell him what she knows..
******
Cordy saw Connor's door was still open a little. She walked through his living room, past the T.V, the
stereo and all he other stuff she'd made Angel buy him and into his bedroom.
The double bed in the center of the room was unmade and Cordy could make out the indent of his head
upon one of the pillow's, but Connor was gone.
******
Angel silently padded into Connor's room, and saw Cordy leaning in the doorway of his bedroom across
the room from him.
The light from the open windows cast a shadow across her face, but Angel could tell she was even more
upset than she had been a few minutes before.
He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She flinched slightly then relaxed.
Angel leant forward and whispered into her ear, "What's wrong Cordy?"
She sighed, "Look for yourself."
Angel looked into Connor's bedroom.
It was empty.
"Connor's gone!? Again?!?"
He pulled away from Cordy and ran for the door.
Cordy called after him, "I'm sure he's fine Angel! He'll probably be back soon!"
Angel ignored her and ran down the stairs, Connor had been fine the day before, Angel couldn't see him
running away again.
What f someone's taken him again? What if he's gone for good this time?
He arrived downstairs.
Lorne was sitting behind the front desk, sipping a cocktail of some description. He waved in greeting,
"Morning Angel cakes! I've got a phone message for you from…"
Angel held up a hand to silence him and headed for the kitchen, maybe fred or gunn know what's going
on..
He entered the kitchen to find Fred giggling and leaning across the table feeding Gunn from the fruit bowl.
He stopped.
Fred slid back into her seat.
Gunn waved cheerily and tried to say something through a mouthful of cherry. He paused and spat out a
stone.
Angel looked at them both in deadly seriousness, "have you seen Connor?"
Gunn looked confused, "well, obviously not since this morning.."
Fred nodded, "well yeah, how could we have seen him?"
Angel shook his head slightly, "what do you mean? You knew he was going? How come no-one told me?"
Fred shrugged, "um, Angel, Connor didn't even know he was going, how could anyone have told you?"
Gunn nodded, "yeah Angel, what you talking about?"
Angel took a seat, "So.. his not being here doesn't worry you?"
Fred reached over and popped a grape in her mouth, "well, not really.. I mean, it did before, but not now."
Angel stood again, "what do you mean before!?"
Gun raised his hands, "whoa there big fella!.. no need to get all upset."
Lorne poked his head in the doorway, "Angel, you really need to read this phone message."
The vampire shook his head, "I have more important things to deal with right now!"
Lorne frowned, "more important than your *son's* message explaining why he is currently in sunnydale?"
Angel turned, "WHAT!?"
Fred shook her head, "oh god, you can be such a moron angel."
******
Connor returned from phoning the hotel to find Dawn and Buffy having a discussion about weather buffy's
top was pink or magenta. Spike sat beside Buffy with his arms crossed, glaring openly at Connor.
Dawn turned, "hey! What did your dad say?"
Connor shrugged, "Only Lorne was up. He said he's get Angel to call me.'
Buffy nodded, "okay, now." She motioned to the remaining empty seat, "you and Dawn can give us your
explanation."
Connor swallowed, oh great.. I haven't even had time to explain this to Dawn, and now isn't the time to
say anything to her, let alone tell Spike and her sister…
Spike sneered, exposing some teeth.
Buffy slapped his hand, "no Spike! No billy idol impersonation!"
Spike's sneer dropped away into nothing, "Hey! He copied me! That useless bastard! Made a complete
mockery of me! Even stole me sneer!.. bastard.."
Dawn patted him on the shoulder "there there spike."
Spike looked almost teary eyed, "used to get idiots pestering me for an autograph…Dru used to tease me
about it.."
Connor sat down, "who's Billy idol?"
Buffy shot him a glance, "don't mention him in this house okay?"
Connor nodded. riiighhttt…
Spike sat up straight and coughed, composing himself, "so, now then," He glared at Connor again,
"explanations?"
Dawn glanced at Connor, "Um.. well.."
Connor half shrugged, "um…"
Buffy raised her eyebrows, "so far, this isn't riveting stuff."
Connor looked over at Dawn what can I say? Should I pretend I don't know what's happening?
Dawn looked over and held his gaze for a moment. She sighed, "well Buffy, we don't really know what's
going on ourselves. I was having a dream… and then I heard Spike calling me.. and I remember not
wanting to wake up… and when I did.. Connor was here."
Spike scoffed, "yeah sure." He looked over a Connor, "you came in through the window right?"
Conner scoffed, "yeah, right after I hitch hiked from L.A with no shoes or shirt."
Spike smirked, "Well, from the son of Poof, I'm not surprised."
Connor's eyes narrowed, "don't call my father that…"
Spike pouted, "oooOooOooo.. the boy with no shirt is threatening me! OooOoOo.."
Dawn rolled her eyes, "hello? Before you mock Connor's lack of clothing, remember you're wearing
exactly the same thing as him, and by choice might I add!"
Buffy nodded, "she has a point my half naked Spikey-poos." She smiled and winked at him , "not that I'm
complaining mind.."
Dawn made a retching noise, "eww!"
Buffy stood and put her hands on her hip, "hey! Don't you go all high and mighty on my missy! After all,
no one ever found half naked boys in my bed when I was 17!"
Dawn gasped, "oh yeah? Well they would have, IF THEY HADN'T ALL HAD TO BE GONE BY
SUNRISE!"
Buffy opened her mouth in shock.
Spike chuckled. "good call niblet."
Connor sat, his gaze darting around the table, they were all 'psycho's' in Cordy's opinion. He now saw
why she'd think that. He swallowed and reached up, gently pulling Dawn back into her seat. After a
moment Buffy sat as well.
"Um, Dawn, there's something I need to speak to you about in private."
She turned to face him, "about what?"
Connor licked his lips, "stuff that would make it easier to explain to buffy how I ended up here.. maybe.."
She nodded, "okay."
She pulled him up to his feet and lead him from the room, throwing a glare at Buffy.
She stopped in the living room and took both Connor's hands in her own, and leant towards him.
Connor pulled her up against him in a hug. She sighed into his shoulder, "they're never gonna understand
Connor. I don't even understand."
Connor sighed, "I know. I don't fully either. But I do know more than you do. I need to tell you some
stuff."
He turned back towards the kitchen, then leant and whispered in her ear, "spike can hear, let's go outside."
Dawn nodded and let him lead her towards the front door. The moment his hand touched the door knob
spike's voice echoed from the kitchen, "where are you two going!?"
Dawn sighed, "to the *porch* Spike! Jeez! Overreact much?"
Connor opened the door and then shut it behind them and he and dawn walked down the drive.
Dawn stopped and hugged him again, her arms wrapped around his neck.
Connor ignored what he was supposed to tell her for a minute and just stood, enjoying the feel of her
against him. Eventually she spoke into his chest. "What was it you wanted to say Connor?"
He planted a kiss on the top of her head and pulled her closer. How could he tell her?
"dawn, I had a dream.. or a vision.. and a couple of things made sense to me… I still don't know how I
ended up here.. but I do know a couple of things about why this cult is after you." He paused, now was the
hard part.
He opened his mouth but two cars full of teenagers drove past and started wolf whistling and screaming at
him and dawn, he heard a guy call out, "Go summers!" and a female voice agree with him , "Never knew
you were such a slut summers!"
Connor growled, they were insulting his dawn! He glanced around for something to throw at the cars.
Dawn felt herself burn with shame, just her luck that a heap of losers from her old school should drive past
when she was hugging a half naked guy in her front yard. She sighed , at least Connor was really hot…
Connor pulled away from her slightly and before she could stop him, he had pulled out her letter box and
hurled it through the back window of one of the cars.
"Connor!" Dawn couldn't help but smile. "You shouldn't have done that!"
"they insulted you."
"well yeah, but still.. you're gonna have to fight them now…"
Sure enough, a rain of insults and swear words came from both cars and they screeched in reverse to where
Connor and Dawn stood, still holding hands.
Connor turned and quickly kissed Dawn , "excuse me for a moment."
Dawn sighed and sat down on her fence. Trying to look like she wasn't enjoying this.
The car doors opened and a half a dozen big guys dawn recognised in the fading evening light as part of the
old football team headed for Connor. Their collective girlfriends hopped out and Dawn noticed a few of
them perving on Connor in his half-naked state.
One of the footballers made pathetic punching motions and started at Connor, "hey! Dickhead! You owe
me for what you did to my ride!"
Connor crossed his arms, "no, you owe me for what you said about my girlfriend."
He grunted, "you mean that slut?" He pointed at Dawn.
His friends all laughed appreciatively.
Connor's face twisted with hate and he suddenly darted forward and punched the guy in the head.
He fell back into his precious car. Connor pulled him up by his neck and held him with his feet dangling in
the air.
His friends hung back, surprised.
"What did you say?"
He spluttered, blood from his now broken nose dribbling down his chin.
Connor turned and threw him to the ground.
"what. did. You. say.?"
The guy just spluttered for a minute then stood, his face twisted into an ugly frown, "you're gonna pay for
that! You and you're liitle slut!"
He made a motion with his head to his friends, and they all ran at Connor at the same time.
Connor punched one in the head, rendering him unconscious, and kicked another one. Leaving only four on
their feet.
He let a third guy punch him, without so much as flinching, and grabbed his wrist. He slowly applied more
and more pressure, as the guy started to scream, then broke his arm and shoved him back onto the ground.
Another guy glanced down at his friends, two out of it after one hit, the other screaming with an arm
twisted in the wrong direction.
"Um… maybe we should go?"
One of the other guys whacked him on the back of the head, "don't be a woos!"
Dawn sighed audibly, "You should listen to him, your slutty little girlfriends are gonna have to scrape you
off the pavement and take you home when Connor's finished with you."
Connor smirked, dawn knew him to well.
The one with the bloody broken nose yelled at her, "shut up bitch!"
Dawn raised an eyebrow, "Connor's sooo gonna kick your ass."
But before Connor had the opportunity to kick said ass, the footballer turned and found spike smiling at
him.
Dawn broke into a grin, "whoa! You guys are even more dead now!"
Connor looked uncertainly at Spike. The vamp glanced up at him, "was watching through the window.
Sun's down.. thought I'd have me some fun." He grinned. "Now, what did you say about my little Niblet?"
Bloody nose's girlfriend's eyes were popping out of her head. Her eyes darted between Connor and Spike,
both clad only in their pants. Dawn saw her adjust her top so a bit more of her breasts were visible.
Bloody nose rolled his eyes, "What did I say to the little bitch? That's between her and me."
Spike growled.
Bloody nose raised his arms in mock horror and smiled over at his girlfriend, "OoOOoI'm sooo scared!
Billy's gonna kick my ass! Oooo!"
Spike's face twisted at the reference to Billy Idol, and he punched the guy with all his strength. The guy
sailed through the air and landed 50 feet away in someone's yard. Spike grimaced as his chip punished him.
The three remaining guys backed away from the two freaky guys without shirts and got back into their
cars.
Dawn laughed, "oh my god! You guys are soo pathetic! As if 100 of you could touch Spike or Connor! Let
alone 6! Ha!"
Bloody nose's girlfriend wiggled over to Connor and Spike, "so. How'd guys like *you* two end up
with a loser like Summers?"
Both Spike and Connor growled.
Spike glared, " 'summers' is my daughter."
The girl winked, "Sure, with a bod like yours!?..Well, you can be my 'daddy' any time you like."
Connor shook his head, there was only word he knew that could describe this girl, "whore."
She gasped .
Spike chuckled.
Connor walked over and sat beside dawn, wrapping his arm around her.
She smiled and shook her head, "men. Just have to bash everyone.."
He shrugged, "They offended your honor."
She chuckled, "I don't care what people like them say about me, if someone I respected called me a slut,
then I'd be offended."
Connor frowned, "oh. Does this mean if some calls you a slut I should only bash them if they are your
friend?"
Dawn paused, "nah, forget I said anything. Bash them, it's more entertaining."
She glanced up at Spike and then sluttly girl, "speaking of entertaining.."
Connor followed her gaze. The Slayer was headed up the walk, her eyes set with murder upon that girl who
dared to flirt with *her* Spike..
Spike sensed her and smiled to himself. Good. I won't have to slap this idiot girl.
Sure enough, Buffy tapped the girl on the shoulder and slapped her across the face when she turned around.
Bloody nose who was limping towards the idling cars saw this.
"Hey! That counselor chick slapped stacey!"
Buffy turned, "yes I did! You just get her to stay away from my boyfriend and I won't be forced to KILL
HER!"
Dawn cheered from the fence, "go buffy!"
Connor just looked amused. "she reminds me off you. Highly strung."
Dawn turned ignoring his arm over her shoulders, "what's that supposed to mean!?"
Spike wrapped his arms around buffy's waist from behind and kissed the side of her neck. "aw, luv, you're
so cute when you're angry."
Stacey stood up and screamed at Buffy, "you bitch! That hurt!" She leapt forward and tried to scratch
buffy's face, but spike raised a hand and caught it, not actually hurting her.
Buffy glared.
The girl batted her eyelids at Spike, "I'm Stacey, what's your name?"
Spike let go her hand and snorted.
Buffy pulled herself out of his arms and pushed the girls into the open car door.
"Stay away from him!.." she paused "why do you have my letter box?"
She pulled it out of the back and slammed the door on stacey's face.
Bloody nose limped into the other car, pausing to splutter at Spike and connor, "You guys are so gonna
pay!"
Spike nodded sarcastically, "yeah mate, I'm sure."
******
AN: yes, I realise most of that chapter was pointless.. and that it was twice as long as they usually are..
… but hey. It was fun to write dammit!!
OOOooOOOOooOooOoOooo..oo.. when's Connor gonna get to tell dawn about 'the thing with the thing'?
Answer: I have no idea…
Mwa-ha-ha-ha!
