Note: Little bit of teenage angst. Hope I didn't make the kids too whiney.

Chapter Eighteen – Men Are Jerks

"You are the biggest jerk ever born," Dawn yelled at Connor. They were face-to-face, almost ready to strike each other.

Faith kind of wanted to see who would win, but knew that Wesley didn't need to hear them arguing. He looked better, but she didn't want to take that chance.

"Come on, little girl. Let's see what you're made of."

Faith almost laughed. Dawn was almost as tall as Connor. She'd grown even more since the last time she'd seen Dawn. But she also knew how strong Connor was. If trained right and for long enough, he could rival a slayer's strength. Wonder if Dawn knew that?

"Back off, Connor. Right now," Wesley's voice was low and menacing.

Connor complied quickly. He'd obviously been on Wesley's bad side more than once and knew the older man's moods.

"She just needs to stay out of my way."

"He just needs to listen."

"And you both need to be knocked up side the head with a two by four. Neutral corners, now." Faith could play the big sister just as well as B could. She pointed for Dawn to leave the room while pointing for Connor to stay. Let the guys stay while she handled the little witch.

Dawn stomped into the dining room. Darkness had started to descend and soon they wouldn't be able to see very well. Faith wanted to solve this so she and Wes could start planning their next move. And it just pissed her off when Dawn yelled.

"All right. Spill."

"He is the biggest jerk ever." The girl was going to cry. Why did she have to be such a blubberhead?

"Yeah. Well most guys are. What is it about this one in particular?"

"He was going to leave. Scout on ahead to find a quicker way out of here. I told him no. That we should stick together. He wouldn't listen to me. I said Wesley was in charge and would say who did what. He didn't take that very well. Must be some issues I guess between the two."

Ah, so Dawn was trying to do something good, to make Connor stick close. Something was going on with the two teenagers. Since they were only about a year apart in age, it made sense.

"You were right. He was wrong. But yelling at him is just going to piss him off and make him leave without saying anything. Listen, I know Connor a little better than you do. He doesn't take well to people telling him what to do. Especially women."

"Like father, like son."

Faith laughed. "You do know Connor. And yes he is like his father. Just a little young and impulsive. We'll work this out."

"No, we won't. He'll leave and I'll be alone again."

Alone? She wouldn't be alone with Faith and Wesley.

"Hey, he's a guy. Thinks he's invincible. Look at Wesley. Couldn't even get the blood off of himself. They're like babies sometimes."

"Yeah, and I see you took care of him right away didn't you." Dawn crossed her arms and glared at her.

"Look kid. Things are complicated right now. We just need to band together, just like you said to Connor. Do you like him?" Deflect the question about Wesley to Connor. Maybe Dawn wouldn't ask her again.

"Do I like him? He's a jerk."

"Like him as in, hey, you're cute and smart and those kinds of things."

Dawn snorted. The girl had it bad. "Why on earth would I like him?"

"Because he is kind of cute in a teenage girl fantasy type of way. Not my type, but it's OK if he's your type."

Dawn's mouth dropped open. No speech came out. Dawn Summers was speechless. Now that was a miracle.

"We barely know each other. He's, he's . . . "

"Yeah, we've already established he's a jerk. So's Wesley. Goes with the territory. Now talk kid. I'm not getting any older."

Wesley sat back down on the bed and glared at the boy standing in front of him. There had been plenty of times that Wesley had wanted to reprimand the child, but Angel always beat him to it. Besides, he had no authority over Angel's son. But as long as he was in charge, he would make sure that Connor would obey him for the time being. They could all die if he didn't.

"You are not to yell at or threaten Dawn in any manner again. Do you hear me?"

"I'm sorry. She just never listens. Then she gets mad and I don't know what to do. Women are so frustrating."

"Yes, they are Connor. You just need to keep under control."

Connor sat down beside him, putting his chin in hand. "Like you've never yelled at a female."

"Plenty of times. Cordelia used to drive me insane with her antics. I even lost my cool once or twice. But I never struck her or threatened her." But he had struck Lilah, on plenty of occasions. Even though she'd liked him rough and ready.

"I miss her."

"So do I."

"I'll apologize to Dawn. I really didn't mean to yell at her. I just don't understand her. Do you understand Faith?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, the two of you seem very close. I was just wondering."

Wesley sighed. Did he really know Faith, or know of her? He thought he understood parts of her. Then she would go and surprise him, like taking care of his injuries.

"We've been through a lot. But do I understand her? I don't think that any man understands the female of the species in the least."

Connor chuckled. "You can say that again."

"Connor, you need to be careful with Dawn." He'd give the talk to the boy. And pummel him if he hurt Dawn in any way.

"I don't understand. I know her sister's missing, but . . ."

"She's been through a lot. When I found her, she'd been attacked not two weeks earlier. I'm not sure what happened exactly, but it wasn't pretty."

"I'll kill whoever touches her." The boy stood up to pace. This was such a soap opera.

"She already took care of it. Another issue she may have later. She killed three humans. Self-defense. But she hasn't dealt with it at all. She'll break down eventually."

"Yeah, she will." Connor knew firsthand death and destruction. His surrogate father had died at the hands of another, even though Holtz had wanted it.

Connor put his hands in his pockets to occupy them. What would he have been like if Wesley had raised him instead of Holtz? Not as strong as he was now, that Wesley was sure of.

"It's getting dark. I think I'm strong enough to perform that spell."

"I'll patrol."

"No. You need some sleep. We need to get going in the morning."

"Wes?"

"Yes, Connor."

"I'm sorry. About everything. I just want to help. I'll be careful with Dawn from now on."

"Good plan. Now off you go."

Asset or not, Connor would always be a loose cannon. Like father, like son.

TBC