A/N: I am horribly sad that Angel is over but I get why it went down the way it did. My comments on that later. Here's the next chapter. Sorry it took long. This virus is driving me insane.

A fair warning to the readers, again. This version is full of cryptic-ness. I wrote at least five other versions of this chapter and finally went with this one. Italicized words are either thoughts or something occuring but not seen. Bold italicized words are spells and/or magic being done to a person or is happening.

Sahjahn and Holtz's story has been changed from how it was in the show.

Also, my sources tell me that Faith is prisoner number 43100 but in Salvage the guard cakked her 430019, so I'll stick with the latter.

Thanks so much for the review and for taking the time to answer my questions. It helped big time.

Hope you like this chapter.

We all have a dark side, to say the least

And dealing in death is the nature of the beast

from The Dogs of War by Pink Floyd

"Well, that was exciting. Just when we were about to turn the tide, you just stand there and Darla stakes herself!" Sahjahn sarcastically declared as he and Holtz returned to the dank and dark circular room that served as their lair.

"Why didn't you tell me that she was pregnant?" Holtz demanded.

Sahjahn shrugged uncaringly. "I didn't want your view of Darla or Angel changing. You have a soft spot for families."

"It has not changed but she sacrificed herself believing that the child would be saved." Holtz whispered softly.

"It was a moment of weakness. Had she lived, Darla would have eaten her young once it was out and the soul was no longer making her gooey." Sahjahn quickly replied. "But her maternal instincts were right. The child is saved."

Holtz frowned, slightly confused. "The child is not saved. It died along with her."

"No, the child's alive."

"What makes you so sure?"

"A little bird told me." He quipped and when Holtz continued to look at him darkly, Sahjahn sighed. "There is a prophecy that speaks of the child as a man and one before that, predicting the child being born from a mortal woman."

Holtz's expression darkened. "And you did not see the need to share any of this with me?"

"No, but I didn't expect you to just stand there and watch! You were supposed to kill Angel, get Darla and force her to have the child before she dusted herself."

"Why is Angelus' child so important to you?"

Sahjahn shrugged. "It's not. What's important to me is that it doesn't live. If Darla managed to have the baby naturally then it wouldn't be transferred to the mortal. We could have done whatever we wanted with it."

"Do we know who the mortal is?"

"No. We have to find her before Angel and his team figures it out and gets to her. That baby will be born soon and we can't allow that."

Holtz shook his head. "I won't kill a mortal woman. She's an innocent. All I want is to punish Angelus for slaughtering my family."

"Yes and the only way to do that is through the child. It's Angel's only chance of normalcy, a once in a lifetime opportunity and if we take it away from him…well, imagine how crushed his un-beating heart will be. And then we kill him after we make him suffer."

"No." Holtz protested.

"No? What do you mean no?" Sahjahn exclaimed angrily.

"Death is too easy an escape for him. His downfall with will be far more excruciating than a stake piercing his heart."

Sahjahn sighed. "Very poetic. We're going to discuss this not-killing Angel part. Right now, I need to find out who has the child."

"You said that the child was not going to be born!" Lilah hissed at the translator who looked unfazed.

"Actually, I never mentioned the child. It was a mere technically, Ms. Morgan. The prophecy was about Darla, not the baby she was carrying. I assumed you came to the same conclusion that I did." The man replied sheepishly. "Now, I got a teeny bit curious and researched the scroll further."

Lilah arched an eyebrow. "Goody." She uttered sarcastically. "Now, what did you find and you better have found something."

"There's a companion to the obituary; one that actually speaks of the child and its final carrier. I'm not sure if it's written by the same prophet but-"

"What final carrier?" Lilah asked.

"The child was never supposed to be born from Darla but it is meant come into this world. Here it is. Blessed by great powers, grown in the womb of the undead, the child of the vampire with a soul will be born from a mortal woman. Can you imagine? This child has two mothers and one father."

Lilah sighed. This is just great. Just when I thought we were through with Angel and his hell spawn. "Does it say anything about who's going to carry Angel's child? Is she human, a demon, or a god?"

The man beamed at her. "Actually, it's a slayer."

"Slayer?" Lilah exclaimed as she snatched her cell phone and furiously dialed a number. "This is Lilah. Is there any change on the Angel and his people?"

"The third female-the slayer just woke up. Angel just went downstairs. The Host is currently greeting three unidentified females. Two are in the office and two have left the building. Unfortunately, there's no audio so we can't decipher what they're saying."

"Why wasn't I informed about the slayer's arrival?" She demanded angrily.

"Mr. Park said that the two of you are working together and that he'll notify you personally. We're sending in a lip reader just as he instructed."

"What does the slayer look like?"

"Caucasian. Brown hair and eyes, approximately-"

"That's good enough. Report to me from now on, not Gavin Park." Lilah gritted her teeth as she snapped her phone shut. "Gavin." She hissed, turning her attention back to the translator who was looking at her curiously. "Has that little cockroach been here? Does he know about the other prophecy?"

The man shook his head. "He was here but I know that the two of you aren't the best of co-workers. I hear stuff in the lounge room, you know. I haven't told him anything."

"Good man. And to think that I was just about to have both your daughters sold to Pretukis slave traders." Lilah brightly declared without missing a beat. "Keep it up and inform me if you find anything else in those scrolls."

"Will do, Ms. Morgan. I'm glad to be working on the winning side."

"Of course, you are. Fax a copy of the prophecy to my office in exactly seven minutes." Lilah smirked as she stepped out of his office and pulled out her phone again. She dialed a number. "Linwood, this is Lilah. I have some information that you might like to hear."

"There's a slayer in town and she's working with Angel. Gavin just notified me."

Lilah just sneered in response as she pictured gutting Gavin Park. "Did he also tell you that the slayer is carrying Angel's child?"

"No." Good, she thought.

"That was very careless of him." She said sarcastically.

"How sure are you?"

"Very sure. Meet me in my office in five." Lilah declared as she headed to the elevator. By the time she reached her office, Linwood was already there, looking impatient. Lilah gave him a smug look and handed the folder that contained every information there was about Faith.

Linwood stared at the pregnant brunette in the picture. "Pretty girl. So, this is her?"

"Her name is Faith. Rogue vampire slayer and was formerly employed by the firm to assassinate Angel."

Linwood nodded. "I remember. It was your deal. Another botched up job."

"She had every opportunity to kill Angel but she held back. Slayers and their vampires, you know." Lilah grinned. Her fax machine beeped and Lilah walked to her desk. "That's the prophecy right there." She snatched the paper and Linwood read it quietly. "I just spoke with the lip reader looking over the surveillance tape from last night. Faith called herself a vessel."

Linwood arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "No. No, not a vessel, Lilah. She's the Vessel. The not-so-mythical but extremely rare creature that Wolfram and Hart has been trying to acquire for centuries."

"My team also mentioned that she was called by the Powers that Be."

Linwood smirked. "So, they got to her first. The Vessel works for no one. She can be harnessed by both good and evil." He grinned. Lilah understood perfectly. Faith was never one to join any team. The winning side was all that mattered to her. "The senior partners are going to be thrilled. I don't understand Gavin's oversight. He should have seen this."

Lilah shrugged nonchalantly. "He's from real estate. He's clearly not cut out for this kind of work. I mean, Gavin tried to evict Angel as a way to intimidate him."

"I'm starting to agree with you. What else did find out?"

"I checked with Northern California Women's Facility. Prisoner number 430019 died half an hour ago. Stabbed three times during a fight that broke out in the refectory. The Powers that Be are going through great lengths to make sure that no one suspected anything. They must badly want Angel's child to be born."

Linwood chuckled. "Clever little move but not good enough. Retrieve the body that died in the slayer's place. I want our scientists taking it apart before lunchtime."

"My men are already on their way, sir."

"Good job, Lilah. The senior partners are going to want the Vessel detained immediately." Linwood announced as he rose from his seat. "But don't harm her. She's far too valuable to them, more than the child she's carrying or the vampires who created it."

"Lucky her."

Faith woke with a start, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Something was wrong. Her eyes snapped open and her hand immediately snaked under her pillow to grab the stake hidden there, her enhanced slayer reflexes kicking in. With surprising speed and strength she leapt out of bed only to come face to face with Angel who managed to stop the stake before it was jabbed into his heart.

"It's me." He said. Faith was somewhat surprised to see him. She had half expected to find herself back in her cell and the events from the night before to be a dream. "It's just me."

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" She snapped, somewhat breathless and her dark eyes flashing. "Dust in the wind is not a good look for you, soul boy, just when you're about to become a father."

"Right, can't have that. Brought you breakfast." He explained, setting the tray down on the table.

Faith dropped the stake on the side table and retreated back on the bed. "You didn't have to go all domesticated on me but thanks." Faith groaned softly, looking fatigued.

"What's wrong?"

"My slayer senses are all out of whack thanks to the power boost the Powers gave me. I feel like my body is going to jump out of my skin whenever a vampire is around. And with you hovering by the doorway all night, it wasn't exactly a quick trip to slumber-land."

"Didn't know. Your revved up senses will keep you safe." Angel handed her a bagel and Faith gladly accepted it and took a bite. "There are a lot of vampires that are going to come after you now."

"Occupational hazards." She said casually. "But don't worry; they're not getting their hands on junior here. How long was I asleep?"

"Not that long. A few hours. You were dreaming."

Faith gave him a look. "Hover much, mama bear?"

"I was making sure you're not in any danger."

"In this line of work, that's pretty impossible. I'm going to shower. Do you think you could loan me a shirt or something? The Powers seemed to have forgotten to give me some clothes that fit when they chose me for this."

The vampire nodded. "I'll leave it on the bed. I can take you shopping later if you want."

Faith chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "Words that would make any woman weak in the knees. I probably won't need a lot, you know. Junior here might be born soon."

"Do you know when exactly?" Angel looked alarmed.

Faith shook her head at him. "I only know what boy wonder up in the land of big white clouds told me. He said rest. So I'm assuming the baby won't be born right away. Maybe a week or two. I really don't have a clue." She replied as she headed to the bathroom. "Don't forget the clothes."

She shut the bathroom door behind her and heard Angel leave her room a few seconds later. Sighing, Faith walked over to the tub and let the water run. Dipping her fingers into the water, she quickly stripped her clothes off and stepped in. The baby, who hadn't stopped kicking since last night, seemed to approve since it stopped.

She rested her hand on her swelling belly, feeling awkward and strange. "I'm a whale." Faith murmured as she swatted her hand on the water, making a small splash.

But you're not really pregnant. She quickly reminded herself with a heavy sigh. This is what you do. Who knows how many times this going to happen?

As if hearing her thoughts and disapproving with them, the baby gave her a good hard kick. Faith groaned and proceeded with her bath. When she was satisfied that she had washed all the traces of prison from her body, Faith gingerly stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her.

She spotted the neatly folded clothes on the bed and smiled.

She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the full length mirror and shook her head. Don't make this about you, Faith, because it's not. Don't even think about going there. She reprimanded herself as she turned away from the mirror, hastily examined the clothes Angel left her, dried off, dressed and headed downstairs.

The lobby buzzed with mild excitement as Lorne paraded around, dictating instructions while followed by three floating women. "Hey, look who's up. Faith, meet the Furies. Girls, meet Faith. We'll swap stories over Sea Breeze later…and milk for Faith. "

Faith gave them as slight nod as she walked over to Angel. "What's going on?"

"Lorne's having the Furies put a sanctuary spell on the hotel. No violence in the building. It'll keep you safe while you're inside." He explained. Faith nodded.

The Furies paused and smiled fondly at Angel. "Mmm, Angel." They simultaneously sighed in ecstasy. "Angel."

Lorne shook his head. "You can all have a piece of our Angelcake in the next century, after he's raised his son and future grandkids. Let's get this spell cracking before we get some unexpected vengeance ridden visitors."

"Angel." They sighed again as Lorne ushered them away.

"Enough with the euphoric noise making girls. You're giving me whiplash. Does anybody else hear that humming?"

Faith smirked, shooting Angel an amused look. "You have groupies."

Angel just shrugged. "How are you feeling?"

"Five by five." She coolly replied. "How's the research?"

"Wes and Fred found that there's a prophecy about you."

Faith looked slightly fascinated. "There's always a prophecy, Angel. What does it say? Is it apocalypse-y and all doom?"

"No, it's about my son being born from a mortal. You."

"We'll I already figured that part out without the prophecy." Faith replied when suddenly she became dizzy. "Whoa."

Angel frowned. "What happened?"

"I feel like I just got hit by a tsunami-sized wave of dizziness." She replied, the feeling worsening. "Is this supposed to be happening?"

"I don't know. Darla was feeling sick all the time. Maybe you have it worse because you're human."

Faith nodded as Angel quickly ushered her to the seat. "I'm fine, Fang. Really." She stubbornly insisted. Stupid mystical morning sickness.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded, giving him a firm look. "It's a little uncomfortable but I just have to let it pass. Your son is playing soccer with my spleen." Faith declared with a small laugh. "Help me up. I need to get a drink. It's suddenly really hot in here."

"No, stay put. I'll go get it. Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"I'll live. Just go."

Lorne returned to the lobby just as Angel exited. "Spell's in place and the Furies are finally gone. I love those girls but the noise they make just-"

"Lorne, a little help here!" Faith gritted her teeth.

The Host frowned as he rushed to her. "Oh, hon, you don't look so hot."

"You're not helping. Something's wrong with the baby." She suddenly doubled over from the pain, gasping. Lorne caught Faith and held her. The room was suddenly spinning, making her feel like she was falling.

"Oh, this is not good!" He mumbled, panicking slightly. "Okay, why don't you lie down? Angel! Wes! Fred? Anyone? Why do the people capable with deliveries suddenly disappear when the time comes?"

Faith grabbed his collar. "It's not time! Something's happening."

"Oh, my god. Is she okay?" Fred asked as she and Wesley emerged from the office. Angel returned with the glass of water but immediately discarded it on the side and knelt beside Faith who was quickly falling in and out of consciousness.

"She's in pain." Lorne murmured. "And the baby too."

Faith blinked, trying to focus on something that would somehow anchor her, something that she could hold on to before she was lost in all the swirling madness. But her vision was blurring. Angel was gone, Lorne had suddenly turned into a large smudge of green and the only thing reassuring her that they were there were their voices.

"Faith, hang on. Wes, do something!" Angel pleaded.

"Something's wrong, Angel." She whispered, letting out a pained sound. Faith could feel her insides burning, like she was being stabbed with a thousand hot knives and her fingertips were suddenly cold, losing any feeling in them. This isn't supposed to happen.

In the name of the Goddess

Her eyes stared up at the ceiling, moist with tears but vacant and unseeing.

"Tell me what to do, Faith." Angel whispered, worry marring his face. His voice was becoming faint to her, mixing with the others that invaded her head.

She coughed.

"Faith, can you hear me?" Wesley spoke somberly, patting her face gently. "Lorne, can you get a reading?"

The Dark Lord

He frowned. "A little. Something's been blocking me since I first read her. Our little slayer is slipping."

"As in dying?" Fred whispered worriedly.

"But her heartbeat is strong." Angel argued. "Faith, come on!"

"No, she's somewhere. In limbo."

Keeper of the gates and guardian of the night

Tears trickled out of the corner of Faith's eyes and she suddenly jerked, kicking and thrashing with enough force to send everyone around her flying across the room.

"Is everyone okay?" Angel asked as he quickly rose and rushed back to Faith who had now stopped shaking. Her eyes had closed and she was looked frighteningly dead.

"A little aquamarine but I'll survive." Lorne quipped as he helped Fred up.

We beseech thee

Wesley stood next to Angel. "I can't do anything for her unless I know what exactly is happening. I don't want to take any chances and harm her and your son in the process."

"Voices." Faith murmured faintly.

"What did she say?" Wesley asked.

"Voices. Someone is doing this. Someone is trying to kill my son from inside her! Wes, please."

Restore the mother and her child

"What if we cast a protection spell? We might be able to buy time." Fred suggested.

"Go! Do it!" Angel barked, his eyes flashing.

Let them cross over

"Guys…guys…she's fading." Lorne stammered, pointing at Faith.

"She's not going to die!" Angel declared resolutely.

"No, I meant she's literally fading!"

The little boy watched the scene in the Hyperion, his young face set on a frown. "They are trying to retrieve the child." He declared to the woman who stood beside him.

"And resurrect the mother. It has been done before with the Summers woman. A different spell but equally powerful. They might succeed."

"We will not allow it. It must not come to pass." The boy declared. "The child will become an abomination. He will be changed. Damaged."

The woman nodded. "The ritual is almost ended. They are already tied to each other. The slayer will not survive it, nor will the other."

"She can. She was built to withstand many things. The Dark One is capable." The little boy cocked his head to the side, large blue eyes darkening like his mood. "But the child is in its rightful place. He belongs to the Dark One."

The woman smiled. "Then we shall intervene once more."

A/N: So, did that make any sense to anyone at all? When I first wrote it, it did. Now, it's just all craziness. Anybody have a guess on what's happening to Faith?

Now, my comments on the end of Angel.

Wesley's death was just painful to watch. I've always been a huge fan of the character, even when he was still the by-the-book-tight-ass watcher. But I get why Joss had him die in the end. Wes was just in too much pain to go on. He hasn't been happy in a long time and we all know that Wesley died the night Fred did. He's been miserable since and perhaps even before that. The whole mess with Connor, Holtz and Sahjahn and the throat slashing and getting cast out started it all. I must say, his dying scene was awesome. Sad but well played out. Illyria lying to him, becoming Fred and comforting Wes in his last moments was very humane for someone who feels no compassion for half breeds and their band of primitives. That one scene had me crying.

Lindsey being shot by Lorne was unexpected. Lorne never hurt anyone, unless they hurt him or someone he cared about. Being shot like that, out of nowhere was just...wow. It was shocking and I thought Lindsey would be one of the few to make it out alive. But again, I get why he died too-not by Angel's reasoning but by Joss's.

It was actually Hamilton's words that made it click in my head. It was when he and Angel were duking it out and Hamilton said, You failed everyone. Doyle. Cordy. Fred. Well, something similar to that anyway. But here's how I saw and understood it. Cordelia and Wesley were one of the originals. They were part of the original Angel Investigation, the first soldiers. And Lindsey, like Lilah, was tied to them. He was there since the beginning, granted on the other side and then on no one's side but he was there.

Anyway, my point is, the old regime was gone. First soldier down was Doyle, followed by Cordelia who was fading away long before anyone ever took notice. Fred is technically still there. The whole is gone but still living in bits and pieces inside Illyria. And so, in that alley, with the rain beating down on them, the new regime (Spike, Gunn, Illyria and of course, Angel, who'll always be there) stood to face their enemies.

That was a good ending. It was hanging but it was good.

My only disappointment was that the last episodes of Angel, especially the final one, were rushed. They could have at least made it into a two hour episode, focusing on the characters longer than they did.

But that's how it was and now you're all probably bored to tears with my ramblings. I just had to say my piece. I didn't feel like writing a fic about it so that's my take on it all.

Anyway, I'm done now.

Please review!