Murder

Plz review....i put this on fanfiction and no one reviews anymore!! Plz leave a review it's just nice! Thnz tootles

"She hasn't come down for quite some time Xander, I think we should just leave the food on a tray outside her door, wait till she feels ready to come to us." Willow, being the gentle peacekeeper had always been tried to persuade Xander to wait before barging in on a fifteen year old very emotional little girl. She knows what it's like not to have a real mother, her's was always an, "absentee" and god knows she was trying to be there for Rachel but it really wasn't the same.

"Okay, fine but tomorrow we have to tell her the truth, its gone on long enough and I think she is a little too old for the, "mommy went to a better place," line, I just wish I knew who had sparked these thoughts in her." He said gloomily taking his hand and rubbing the back of his neck to relieve his stress.

"Well I think they were always there, it just took some provoking, come on sweetie, let's get to bed, it's late and I am very tired." Willow rubbed Xander's arm in a friendly comfort.

"Alrite, mi'Lady! But I worry for her you know, I really lover her like my own." Xander directed his body towards the stairs and began to make a journey to the bedroom, stopping momentarily at Rachel's door. Silence. Maybe she had gone to sleep? With a nod from his head, he and Willow glided into their room and shut the door behind them.

When Rachel knew that her Aunt and Uncle were securely in bad she jumped up and began to pace around, "I have to get out, now!" She was tugging at her hair furiously and if she had tried it with more force she would be ripping her chestnut locks.

"A murder, they think I am a murder," taking her mother's picture, from the bedside table in her hands she whispered, "sorry mommy." With that Rachel opened the chilled window and climbed out with one swift motion to land in the darkness they called, night.

Angel tossed and turned in his sleep, it's not like he had slept very much since her death but the few winks he was able to nab were appreciated. Suddenly, it go very cold in his gray motel room. He was having a dream, he was at a Lakers game, and they were loosing, one shoot to win it all and he...Well he couldn't finish it off because he got a knowing pain in the pit of his stomach and a voice began to ring in his ears.

"Go, go to her,"

"Who?" angel mumbled sub-consciously.

"You know who, protect her, its not her time Go my Angel."

And with clarification of voice Angel bolted up. He knew something was wrong right when he got that feeling in his stomach but he ignored it for some rotten sandwich or something he ate before bedtime. That voice it was familiar, comforting. He trusted it and he would have to find her before she got into trouble.

With that jumpstart, angel quickly jumped off the bed in a race to find his only daughter. He did the buckle up and grabbed a white t-shirt. With that he was out the door in two minutes flat.

Rachel hugged the small woolen blanket around her small form. She had to admit it wasn't the best time for a walk but what else could she do she wanted to clear her head, sort some things out. If it was true what everyone thinks then she would never be able to forgive herself, however, the only good thing would be that Rachel would understand why her daddy left her that day. He wouldn't be the villain she didn't want to potray him as. He wasn't a coward, her daddy was a fighter, at least the knowledge of her causing his departure was comforting than the thought that her daddy left her.

The wind became more harsh and the sky was darker, lite with only the moonlight as her guidance. She walked through the park. The vacant swings went back and forth in the wind. It was so scary like deja vue, but she had this urge to go up to the hill and visit the old mansion. Pushing forward she was able to make it to the mansion and take shelter in it's large atmosphere. However, it wasn't there she wanted to be. The field it called to her.

Unsure of her actions she hesitantly took baby steps towards this spot on the ground that called he so. It was near one of the graves. As she put her cheek on the small patch of earth she felt as though she should lie down. The first contact of her cheek and the grass sparked many images in her head. Blood, so much blood, and pain and anguish, innocence, battle, it was all there. She say a flash of blond hair and was about to see the face when her thoughts were rudely interrupted.

"Excuse me, miss!" Angel stuttered a bit but tried to fight the urge to pick her up and cradle her and comfort her. She was lying where Buffy had been slain and it broke his heart to see that she looked exactly like her mother.

"Whoa, jesus, you scared the crap out of me!" With a hand held over her heart Angel gave her a goofy grin.

"That's not the kind of language a young lady such as yourself should use now is It?" He was teasing with her and knew already that she had Buffy's fiery passion, the one he fell in love with.

"Whatever Mary Poppins, are you done here, I am not in the mood for a conversation right now." Rachel slouched down and was about to touch the earth once more but was stopped with a hand on her shoulder.

"It's not safe out here for young girls such as yourself, let me take you home, its cold out here." For some reason Rachel felt comfort in this man, like there was something familiar about him.

"Um, okay, could I ask you something?"

"sure, shoot!"

"What's your name?"

"My name, it's ugh, "Angel stumbled, she knew her father's name and it wasn't very common he would stick out like a sore thumb.

"what you don't know your name?" Rachel laughed and put her hands on her hips, still walking towards the car.

"Smart ass, it's Liam, nice to meet you!" He put forth his hand in a friendly gesture.

"Do I know you?" She smiled, he was nice and funny.

"More than you know." He mumbled but she didn't quite hear him and ignored the fact that he wasn't responding.

"well, this is my house, ugh, thanks for everything Liam." Rachel waved goodbye and climbed through the window as Angel's heart seemed to drop. She was beautiful and it would be hard not to hug her whenever he was around her.

He turned the car around and began to speed towards his apartment, where he had the first best sleep he had had since the death of his beloved.

Her Father

Who was he? Rachel had been over these a million times. This mystery white knight who saved her from doing something really stupid. How did he know how to find her? It was all so confusing. While she pondered these thoughts she was in front of the bathroom mirror fixing her hair for that day at school. She had chose some tight parasouco jeans and a black halter, Xander would flip but she had to be more daring she was always the nice girl, if she was the murderer they all perceived she was going to act like it. Besides she wanted to grab someone's attention, Courtney's beau, Kevin. He was a cutie and after those mean things Courtney had said about her how could she not keep her paws off of him. Two could play at that game. This was girl world.

As Rachel came down the stairs she grabbed her stuff shoved a piece of unbuttered toast in her mouth and went flying out the door. IF she wanted to get to school in what she was wearing she would have to sneak past both Xander and Willow. While she was walking down the sidewalk, her feet started to kill, it had been a long long time since she had wron heels, what like maybe her grade eight graduation. She was hobbling along when a car pulled up next to her.

"Hey there, miss. Summers!" and to her imagination it Kevin looking way too good in his black convertible. He was two years her senior but there were no complaints there. "need a lift," was he talking to her again. She was feeling weak in the knees but managed to squeak out, "sure that'd be great, thanks." He finally slowed down the car she was able to jump in.

"Not the best shoes for school hey?" Kevin smiled making Rachel feel very embarrassed, "I don't know why you girls put yourselves through that pain!" He shook his head and Rachel began to redden.

"So where's Courtney?" Kevin swallowed whatever was in his throat very quickly almost like a gulp, "C.c..Courtney?"

"that's what I said," her mother's attitude shone through.

"Well she's at school probably, so you euh know bought Courts and me?"

"You could say that," Rachel sighed.

"O well I am ending it soon, someone else has caught my attention," Kevin smirked and Rachel just rolled her eyes, she didn't feel like playing sloppy seconds.

"Right, well here's school and I have class, see you later, and um thanks for the ride." With that she rushed out of the car as soon as she could so that it didn't become anymore awkward. As she was running through the halls to get to her first class she met up with her knew friend, Kate.

"Whoa, Rachel slow down there, it looks like you'll have a heart attack!"

"Again, you could say that." Rachel rolled her eyes and quickened her pace, "I am late for first period, and it's only the second day of school!"

"What do you have?" Kate asked.

"Art History, 205,"

"Oh my god, me too, that's so great! Let's go!" Kate grabbed her hand and led her down the hallway before stopping at the door.

"Okay, excuse, excuse, think." Kate rushed.

"You just got your period?" Rachel gave the not so helpful suggestion.

"Nope used it last time, um...oh I have got it! Just follow my lead okay?"

"Sure whatever" Rachel walked into the class behind Kate.

"Sorry um mister," Kate paused, it wasn't Mr. Schniblee that's for sure, whoever it was he was tall, dark and definitely handsome,

"O'Connor, you two girls would know that if you had come on time!" he lectured to realize it was Rachel cowering behind her friend.

"Right, well Mr.O'Connor, Rachel got sick and I had to take her to the nurses office," Kate smiled and Rachel just felt like more of an idiot. Why did she have to be the one that had to be sick.

"Well Rachel Summers, you don't look very sick!" He said with a grin and Rachel finally looked up and mouthed the word, "Liam" but he just shook his head in a nod and dismissed it.

"Please take you seats." And he went back to the board. As Kate and Rachel sat down they were beckoned to sit next to two others, a boy and a girl.

"Hey my name is Alison and this is Jake!" they shook hands, Jake a little more friendly with Rachel.

"Hey!' She said timidly, "I am.."

"Rachel, we heard," smiled Ally, she seemed very nice and quiet.

"Isn't he just to die for!" Kate gushed and for some reason it made Rachel feel sick. Sure he was good looking but to ever think of him in that way just seemed so wrong to her.

"Hello Salty-goodness!" ally raised her eyes in her head and fell against her desk in a daze.

"I don't think he is very good looking" Rachel shrugged and Ally almost fell off her chair.

"Finally someone I agree with," Jake smiled.

"Hey you four in the back, listen up, you might need this!" Angel stated and winked over at Rachel and the two other girls thinking it was appointed to them just let out a satisfied sigh.

After class as they were leaving Ally, Kate and Jake were walking out of the classroom as Rachel was stopped by Mr. O'Connor.

"Rachel could I see you for a second."

"sure."

"As your teacher I don't think what you are wearing is very appropriate, please come dressed to school tomorrow in something a little less revealing please." Rachel's mouth dropped.

"You are serious, no way, I can wear what I want you know!" Rachel huffed.

"Not when I have asked you not to end of discussion!" Angel frowned.

"Your not my father!" Rachel shouted and left the classroom.

"Right, I am not your father," Angel stated broodingly. She looked like Buffy today, always dressing to drive him wild and not be able to concentrate, but no way could his daughter he knew what boys were like.

"So what did the hottie himself have to say?" Kate caught up to her.

"Nothing really." She ignored the question, she was still fuming from what Liam had told her. She thought he was a friend.

"I think it's cool Rachel doesn't like our teacher!" Jake beamed.

"Only cause you like her!" Ally rolled her eyes and both Rachel and Jake turned a crimson shade of red.

"well um see you guys later?"

"yea, sure? Hey um Rachel, do you want to go to the Bronze tonight with the rest of us?"

"Um, sure I guess, well bye guys!" Rachel waved and left.

'wow, she sure is something!" As Angel casually walked by and heard this he stopped.

"You better be good to her Mr. Matthews!"

"Ugh, yes, sir?" Jake was bewildered. Who did this guy think he was? Her father?

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Look Out World.

When Rachel had finally gotten home she dropped her knapsack on the floor and was about to jot up the stairs when a very angry Xander appeared in the her path.

"not so fast missy, we need to talk about what your wearing!"

"Oh my god, not you too Xander! It's not against any school regulations so is everyone on my back?" Rachel had never gotten out of line with Xander, maybe it was his goofish charm or the fact that he didn't really have to care for her if he didn't want to but, it was unlike her.

"What's going Rachel, these past few weeks your aunt and I have been very concerned about your behavior. Talking different, dressing differently, and since when was your mother's death of such great importance?" Xander stumbled across the last one, he was always so careful when concerning Buffy's death, he did have a crush on her for the longer part of highschool but those feelings were now replaced with a deep friendship.

"What's going?" Rachel asked rhetorically, she stepped closer to where Xander stood, "I am fourteen, my mother is died right in front of me but I couldn't remember for the life of me, I have little to none friends, an absentee father, and I am short. Should we keep going or should I stop now?"

"Okay, sweetie I get it, your mad, but neglecting your morals and sneaking out at night is hardly mature!"

"How did you now?"

"Know what?"

"that I snuck out?"

"Ang...Liam he ah, told me he was very concerned."

"Erg, who does he think he is, first telling on me, then telling me what to wear, where do they get these teachers!"

"What you wear, he told you what to wear?" Xander asked quizingly.

"Well sorta suggested, but still, I wish everyone would just butt out!!"

"It's hard when you love the person!" Suddenly Rachel clued in and welcomed Xander in a warm embrace.

"I am sorry Xander, I just get so frustrated sometimes you know?"

"Yeah, I sure do kiddo," Xander patted her long brown hair. "I think it's time we discussed what happened to your mother, the real version, not some glossed over, sugar coated one. "

"I'd like that," Rachel supplied, wiping away a fallen tear.

"come on sit down you are going to have to."

"Right" Rachel sat down on the large sofa and began to hear the story of her mother's death.

A few mintues later Rachel paused,

"demons? Xander you feelin alrite!!!"

"Sweetheart, there is a lot you don't know and frankly you don't want to know but you will have to hear it. Your mother was the most beautiful woman I had ever met, not just physically but everything about her was just so perfect. How she smiled and laughed and crinkled her nose, it was all Buffy. She had cancer you know, well only for awhile and then got healed, but really that's another story. So anyhow, yoiur mother and your father, well they were best friends long before they were lovers, and it all started because your uncle William, better known as Spike, had a little crush on her. Your father being the older brother at six swept in and knew he had found a gem, but not until he was sixteen and moving to L.A did he realize it. He promised your then fourteen year old mother that he would return to her when he could properaly care for her. When he did return they became well, when two adults fall in love.." he faltered.

"Spare me the details!" Rachel held her hands up in protest. She was getting all girly just hearing the romantic tale till he had to ruin it with the sex talk.

"Right, well then there was you, your mother at seventeen was pregnant and very happy. Your father and her got married when she came of age. You, you were their everything. They both loved you so much. You and your dad, Angel, were so cute together that even Buffy got jealous of you. You and your dad were unseperable, "

"it doesn't look that way!" Rachel rolled her eyes.

"I might not have agreed with your father's decision but he was still a very good guy and father at that point and Rachel he did loose his wife, lover and best friend all in one swoop, it does something to you, he wasn't thinking and then when he was he was too afraid that you would hate him to come back and thought it was best to stay away!"

"Shouldn't that be up to me, what's best?"

"You sound just like your mother!" Xander smiled, "When you were only three your mother left fearing that she was endangering you and your father's lives. So she packed up and left. Angel was of course furious and scared so he went out and searched all over for her. He did find her eventually at a small cemetery by the mansion they first, yea, well you know, and while they were outside an arrow was shot at you, the one thing your parents would do anything for. Your mother, a little sharper than your father heard the arrow and dove in front of you. She saved you and I don't think she could have asked for any better reason to die. I think that in her own way she wouldn't have wanted to die any other way than protecting you. She loved you so much Rach, and it wasn't painful, it was quick and then she went to heaven. I have dreams that she is an angel, a golden halo atop her golden hair looking down on us."

"I do to, sometimes, I imagine she is still here, her and dad are together and we have a dog named sammy and I have a little brother named Kyle, he is a little brat but I love him just the same. Dad and Kyle like to play basketball and me and mom practice martial arts in the basement. Mom isn't a cook but she sure can bake, the best birthday cakes. She knows exactly what I want for my birthday and loves my boyfriend. All my friends think that dad's a total hottie and they absolutely love mom, Sammy our retriever does his business in the yard and dad is always getting mad. You and willow come over with your baby, and we all have a great big dinner in the dinning hall, then there are times when I dream I am getting married and mom is in the front pew and dad is walking me down the aisle..."Rachel began to cut off and started to tear. "Sometimes I want to stay in my dream world."

"I think we all do sweetie but we have to play the cards we were dealt with, you are a very special child miss. Rachel Beth Summers, and some greater power has big plans for you. Whenever you are feeling small just think of all the people that really love you!"

"Oh thank you uncle Xander, you always know just what to say!" Rachel hugged Xander tightly around the neck.

"air becoming an issue!" Xander grinned.

"Right! Well I have to get ready! I am going to the Bronze!"

"Your first real bronze experience! Stop growing up, soon you'll be in college!" Xander wiped a fake tear from his eyes.

"Whatever, Xander!" Rachel jotted up the stairs. The story of her mom and dad had comforted her a little, they must have really loved her and she wouldn't abuse her mother's sacrifice. Her mother died so she could have a good life and that was just what she was planning on having but with a father in the picture as well. Look out World Rachel Summers O'Connor has just arrived.