After the Storm
Chapter 9
By Vixen
Faith didn't wait for Connor to say anything before she grabbed him around the throat with one slender hand that should not have been that strong. Slayer strength though, she had it and knew how to wield it. Speaking in a voice that was reigned in to control the emotions bottled inside her she let out, "See, here's the thing. Wolfram and Hart's gone. Angel's gone. Demons are singing 'free at last, free at last'." Her other hand wrapped into a fist, she held it up to his face just so he could see the way her well-trained muscles were ready and waiting for some action, "I wanna know what's going on. Now talk or I start pummeling."
"I don't like people touching my neck, now get off!" Connor pushed Faith away, surprising her. He looked human, but he also had a large supply of unrecognized strength. She straightened and took a step back, studying him closer now, waiting for his next move. She wasn't going to take him for granted again. "I don't know where Angel is. I don't know where the others are. And I don't feel like fighting you tonight. Okay?"
He walked down the stairs, past her, not even paying attention to her hard glare. Instead, Connor picked a spot on round red couch that occupied most of the lobby. Energy drained, he looked up at her with steady eyes, crossing his arms.
Faith was flabbergasted; first he was strong enough to block her assault, and now he displayed nothing but a calm and cool, if not a little annoyed, exterior. And in the presence of a slayer. "Who are you?" Her tone was softer than the first time she had asked that question, and a little bewildered. There was something about him; she just couldn't put her finger on it.
"Angel's son."
Faith started chuckling, hoping down the stairs. She pounded one of her fists into her hand, just from the sheer giddiness that answer had brought, "Nice try, kid. Vampires can't have kids." Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, mirroring him, "Now who are you, really? And don't play games with me, unless you want me to play games with your spine."
He stood up, fed up with her presence. Even though she was incredibly hot, and had that older woman thing going on, the day had just been way too long to deal with this now, "If you don't believe me that's your problem," He went to go pick up his duffle bag again. Lifting it, he set it back down on the front desk. "Besides, from what I hear you're a walking contradiction yourself." Connor began fishing through the bag for the candles he had bought from the store. It was getting dark in the hotel since the sun had finished setting.
Faith was tired of being talked to in this tone; she knew something was up with this kid. But his story just didn't make sense. It was technically impossible. The knowledge the kid had was all a bit too alarming also. Walking over to the front desk she grabbed his shoulder and wheeled him around, "How did you know I was a slayer?"
"You mean, besides the amazing death grip, right?" Connor rolled his eyes at her. Then, more seriously he answered, "We've met before, you just don't remember. It's a very long and complicated story. You'd probably be bored to tears, so why don't you just go out and hit something." He regretted being snippy with her, but she hadn't listened to him the first time he told her the truth.
"Fine, go ahead," She jumped up on the counter top, surprising him. With an extra edge to her voice she added, "I'm waiting. And just so you know, if it doesn't make sense I'm gonna take you up on that hitting something offer. Starting with your face."
"Did anyone ever tell you you've a very violent person?" He shot her a sarcastic look as he lit some of the candles with a pocket lighter he kept in his jacket. The light bounced off the ceiling and made shadows on the walls.
"What can I say?" She tossed her long wavy hair back as she replied flippantly, "It's been a crazy coupla days. Now start talking."
Connor paced a few times before beginning. He knew his story probably wouldn't be understood by someone who hadn't lived it. Hell, half the time he didn't understand it either. Still, she was an expert in the supernatural; she dealt with odd things like this nightly. Besides, if she didn't like what he said, she'd get all fired up and start walking around all angrily and make that sexy pout and.. Connor shook his head; trying to push the thoughts his hormones were sending him out of his head.
It was the way she looked at him as he began the tale, listening to him, trying to piece the puzzle together in that cute little head of hers that made him tell her everything. At least everything he remembered, or remembered being told. He skimmed over his stay in Quor-toth, but shared the barest facts about the other dimension with her. He told her about getting back to this dimension, fighting with Angel, some stuff about staying at the Hyperion that summer. Strangely, there was little he wouldn't tell her when he had her full attention, when her big brown eyes were focused on him.
Connor remembered feeling this way the first time he had met her, but back then he'd been with Cordelia and about to become a father. There hadn't been a chance to explore his feelings back then, not that he usually did. Inwardly, he cursed, trying to stay centered on the story he was telling her. It was when he got to their first meeting that her eyebrows shot up.
"I still don't remember meeting you the first time," Faith shook her head, "Why don't I remember that? Are you messing with me, kid?"
He sighed. "Can you wait until I'm done talking for the question and answer segment of the night?"
She frowned, losing a bit of her believability in his narrative. However, she only tilted her head to the side and said, "Yeah, sure, whatever. Keep going. But remember our deal. I don't like what you're sayin—"
"Yeah, yeah, you'll start pummeling me. Got it the first time." He rolled his eyes again, not caring about her threats. If it did come down to a fistfight, it would at least end in a stalemate. He wouldn't let her get the better hand. Even if she was a slayer.
Connor continued telling her what he knew of his past, treading lightly on the issues he still had trouble dealing with: Jasmine, the hostage situation at the mall, fighting his father and winding up dead only to come back to life again as someone completely new and different. The bounce came back in his step a bit when he got to the part about his new life; it was really the only part of him that he enjoyed talking about. He was surprised she was able to get so much out of him about the old Connor, but there was just something about her.
When Connor had gotten to the part about last night's portal opening, he finished and looked up at her again. The light emitting from the burning candles, lit up her face. It flickered and showered her with different shades of light. She looked confused, a little baffled, and yet it was clear that she believed.
Neither spoke for a moment before she joked her way back into conversation, "Damn. Your origin story trumps mine." Though she would leave her own tale unspoken. "So, we've got a problem here. The portal." She crossed one leg over the other as she looked up at the ceiling, thinking of her next strategy. Normally she was a shoot now, ask questions when everybody's dead type of girl, but when it came to strategy she still had slayer skill. Even if she didn't like sitting around until someone formed a plan.
"Yeah," Connor sat back down on the couch dejectedly, "I came back to the hotel because I wanted to help, but now I don't know if I can. I'll kill whatever's out there on the streets, but opening the portal is going to have to take some magick." He sighed, "Which I have no skill in. I never really liked the stuff."
"But how did you open the portal in Quor-toth to get back here?"
Connor smiled inwardly, she had just proved she had been listening to him, really listening. Though, when he spoke the pride went out of him, "Well, that's the thing.. I never really opened it back then. I only killed the thing that was attacking this other demon, when I saved its life it gave me one wish. Anything I wanted." His voice quieted, betraying years of tense emotions, "It was the only time I ever accepted anything from anyone in Quor-toth."
Faith frowned, "So, I guess that thing is still back there granting wishes for other people that save its life. It can't help us here.. But that's okay, I have a plan." She saw Connor's eyes light up with anticipation and continued, "I know someone." Faith slid off the countertop and began walking around, walking and thinking out loud, "A friend who.. well, not exactly what I would call a friend actually. But we did save the world together once.. had to destroy a town to do it but.. she's good with the magicks and stuff." Then, relating back to Connor's story she gestured to him, "You actually know her. Willow. She's wicked with the hocus-pocus."
Connor thought back and remembered the girl with the reddish hair and incredible grasp on the magical arts. She'd be perfect. Faith's idea was perfect. He smiled absently as he watched her stroll towards the front door, her leather pants caressing every curve of her long legs. The tight white tank top she wore had the same caressing effect on her chest. "Are you going patrolling?" There was a hint of hopefulness in his voice. They could make a night of it, fighting side by side. It was what he did best, and he so wanted to show off in front of her.
"Yeah, but you're not." She said pointedly.
"What?" He covered up his true feelings, wondering if any trace of them had been visible to her. "I can fight. I'm not like some little kid—"
"No," Faith cut him off, "You just look beat, like you're about to pass out and fall asleep right there. I just don't need anything happening to the only other person in this city who gives a damn 'bout protecting it." She started for the door, and turned back towards him, "Besides, I'm in a very solid relationship with a principal back in New York City right now. Sorry, kid."
"But—I wasn't—"he stuttered. It had never been that hard lying before, but she had that extra special specialness. He really wanted to kick himself right then.
"Sure you weren't." Faith laughed, "Get some rest, kid. I'll be back in the morning."
The door swung shut behind her, leaving Connor feeling completely stupid. He hadn't even wanted to feel that way about her, he had only recently broken up with Stacy. But that had been a high school romance, and those never last. This was different though. Faith knew who he was now, or at least his background. It would have been like Stacy, where he would have to hide his true nature all the time. He sighed; he really was like his father, falling for the first slayer that crossed his path. He had only made his job harder; working with Faith now would be embarrassing to say the least.
Grabbing his bag, he walked up the stairs, determined to get some sleep. It would all be different in the morning. Not better, just different.
..............................
I just want to thank everyone who had reviewed this story so far. Keep them coming, I love hearing from everyone.
Chapter 9
By Vixen
Faith didn't wait for Connor to say anything before she grabbed him around the throat with one slender hand that should not have been that strong. Slayer strength though, she had it and knew how to wield it. Speaking in a voice that was reigned in to control the emotions bottled inside her she let out, "See, here's the thing. Wolfram and Hart's gone. Angel's gone. Demons are singing 'free at last, free at last'." Her other hand wrapped into a fist, she held it up to his face just so he could see the way her well-trained muscles were ready and waiting for some action, "I wanna know what's going on. Now talk or I start pummeling."
"I don't like people touching my neck, now get off!" Connor pushed Faith away, surprising her. He looked human, but he also had a large supply of unrecognized strength. She straightened and took a step back, studying him closer now, waiting for his next move. She wasn't going to take him for granted again. "I don't know where Angel is. I don't know where the others are. And I don't feel like fighting you tonight. Okay?"
He walked down the stairs, past her, not even paying attention to her hard glare. Instead, Connor picked a spot on round red couch that occupied most of the lobby. Energy drained, he looked up at her with steady eyes, crossing his arms.
Faith was flabbergasted; first he was strong enough to block her assault, and now he displayed nothing but a calm and cool, if not a little annoyed, exterior. And in the presence of a slayer. "Who are you?" Her tone was softer than the first time she had asked that question, and a little bewildered. There was something about him; she just couldn't put her finger on it.
"Angel's son."
Faith started chuckling, hoping down the stairs. She pounded one of her fists into her hand, just from the sheer giddiness that answer had brought, "Nice try, kid. Vampires can't have kids." Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms, mirroring him, "Now who are you, really? And don't play games with me, unless you want me to play games with your spine."
He stood up, fed up with her presence. Even though she was incredibly hot, and had that older woman thing going on, the day had just been way too long to deal with this now, "If you don't believe me that's your problem," He went to go pick up his duffle bag again. Lifting it, he set it back down on the front desk. "Besides, from what I hear you're a walking contradiction yourself." Connor began fishing through the bag for the candles he had bought from the store. It was getting dark in the hotel since the sun had finished setting.
Faith was tired of being talked to in this tone; she knew something was up with this kid. But his story just didn't make sense. It was technically impossible. The knowledge the kid had was all a bit too alarming also. Walking over to the front desk she grabbed his shoulder and wheeled him around, "How did you know I was a slayer?"
"You mean, besides the amazing death grip, right?" Connor rolled his eyes at her. Then, more seriously he answered, "We've met before, you just don't remember. It's a very long and complicated story. You'd probably be bored to tears, so why don't you just go out and hit something." He regretted being snippy with her, but she hadn't listened to him the first time he told her the truth.
"Fine, go ahead," She jumped up on the counter top, surprising him. With an extra edge to her voice she added, "I'm waiting. And just so you know, if it doesn't make sense I'm gonna take you up on that hitting something offer. Starting with your face."
"Did anyone ever tell you you've a very violent person?" He shot her a sarcastic look as he lit some of the candles with a pocket lighter he kept in his jacket. The light bounced off the ceiling and made shadows on the walls.
"What can I say?" She tossed her long wavy hair back as she replied flippantly, "It's been a crazy coupla days. Now start talking."
Connor paced a few times before beginning. He knew his story probably wouldn't be understood by someone who hadn't lived it. Hell, half the time he didn't understand it either. Still, she was an expert in the supernatural; she dealt with odd things like this nightly. Besides, if she didn't like what he said, she'd get all fired up and start walking around all angrily and make that sexy pout and.. Connor shook his head; trying to push the thoughts his hormones were sending him out of his head.
It was the way she looked at him as he began the tale, listening to him, trying to piece the puzzle together in that cute little head of hers that made him tell her everything. At least everything he remembered, or remembered being told. He skimmed over his stay in Quor-toth, but shared the barest facts about the other dimension with her. He told her about getting back to this dimension, fighting with Angel, some stuff about staying at the Hyperion that summer. Strangely, there was little he wouldn't tell her when he had her full attention, when her big brown eyes were focused on him.
Connor remembered feeling this way the first time he had met her, but back then he'd been with Cordelia and about to become a father. There hadn't been a chance to explore his feelings back then, not that he usually did. Inwardly, he cursed, trying to stay centered on the story he was telling her. It was when he got to their first meeting that her eyebrows shot up.
"I still don't remember meeting you the first time," Faith shook her head, "Why don't I remember that? Are you messing with me, kid?"
He sighed. "Can you wait until I'm done talking for the question and answer segment of the night?"
She frowned, losing a bit of her believability in his narrative. However, she only tilted her head to the side and said, "Yeah, sure, whatever. Keep going. But remember our deal. I don't like what you're sayin—"
"Yeah, yeah, you'll start pummeling me. Got it the first time." He rolled his eyes again, not caring about her threats. If it did come down to a fistfight, it would at least end in a stalemate. He wouldn't let her get the better hand. Even if she was a slayer.
Connor continued telling her what he knew of his past, treading lightly on the issues he still had trouble dealing with: Jasmine, the hostage situation at the mall, fighting his father and winding up dead only to come back to life again as someone completely new and different. The bounce came back in his step a bit when he got to the part about his new life; it was really the only part of him that he enjoyed talking about. He was surprised she was able to get so much out of him about the old Connor, but there was just something about her.
When Connor had gotten to the part about last night's portal opening, he finished and looked up at her again. The light emitting from the burning candles, lit up her face. It flickered and showered her with different shades of light. She looked confused, a little baffled, and yet it was clear that she believed.
Neither spoke for a moment before she joked her way back into conversation, "Damn. Your origin story trumps mine." Though she would leave her own tale unspoken. "So, we've got a problem here. The portal." She crossed one leg over the other as she looked up at the ceiling, thinking of her next strategy. Normally she was a shoot now, ask questions when everybody's dead type of girl, but when it came to strategy she still had slayer skill. Even if she didn't like sitting around until someone formed a plan.
"Yeah," Connor sat back down on the couch dejectedly, "I came back to the hotel because I wanted to help, but now I don't know if I can. I'll kill whatever's out there on the streets, but opening the portal is going to have to take some magick." He sighed, "Which I have no skill in. I never really liked the stuff."
"But how did you open the portal in Quor-toth to get back here?"
Connor smiled inwardly, she had just proved she had been listening to him, really listening. Though, when he spoke the pride went out of him, "Well, that's the thing.. I never really opened it back then. I only killed the thing that was attacking this other demon, when I saved its life it gave me one wish. Anything I wanted." His voice quieted, betraying years of tense emotions, "It was the only time I ever accepted anything from anyone in Quor-toth."
Faith frowned, "So, I guess that thing is still back there granting wishes for other people that save its life. It can't help us here.. But that's okay, I have a plan." She saw Connor's eyes light up with anticipation and continued, "I know someone." Faith slid off the countertop and began walking around, walking and thinking out loud, "A friend who.. well, not exactly what I would call a friend actually. But we did save the world together once.. had to destroy a town to do it but.. she's good with the magicks and stuff." Then, relating back to Connor's story she gestured to him, "You actually know her. Willow. She's wicked with the hocus-pocus."
Connor thought back and remembered the girl with the reddish hair and incredible grasp on the magical arts. She'd be perfect. Faith's idea was perfect. He smiled absently as he watched her stroll towards the front door, her leather pants caressing every curve of her long legs. The tight white tank top she wore had the same caressing effect on her chest. "Are you going patrolling?" There was a hint of hopefulness in his voice. They could make a night of it, fighting side by side. It was what he did best, and he so wanted to show off in front of her.
"Yeah, but you're not." She said pointedly.
"What?" He covered up his true feelings, wondering if any trace of them had been visible to her. "I can fight. I'm not like some little kid—"
"No," Faith cut him off, "You just look beat, like you're about to pass out and fall asleep right there. I just don't need anything happening to the only other person in this city who gives a damn 'bout protecting it." She started for the door, and turned back towards him, "Besides, I'm in a very solid relationship with a principal back in New York City right now. Sorry, kid."
"But—I wasn't—"he stuttered. It had never been that hard lying before, but she had that extra special specialness. He really wanted to kick himself right then.
"Sure you weren't." Faith laughed, "Get some rest, kid. I'll be back in the morning."
The door swung shut behind her, leaving Connor feeling completely stupid. He hadn't even wanted to feel that way about her, he had only recently broken up with Stacy. But that had been a high school romance, and those never last. This was different though. Faith knew who he was now, or at least his background. It would have been like Stacy, where he would have to hide his true nature all the time. He sighed; he really was like his father, falling for the first slayer that crossed his path. He had only made his job harder; working with Faith now would be embarrassing to say the least.
Grabbing his bag, he walked up the stairs, determined to get some sleep. It would all be different in the morning. Not better, just different.
..............................
I just want to thank everyone who had reviewed this story so far. Keep them coming, I love hearing from everyone.