Chapter 35
Buffy stopped at the door to her office. "Can you guys wait here for just one second?" She walked in and gently shut the door. "Angel?"
He turned around in his chair behind the desk. "He out there?"
"Yeah."
"How.... How is he?"
"Thrilled to be here."
"How's he taking everything?"
"Actually.... A lot better than I did. He's.... It's amazing what kind of outlook he's got. Must be that Stanford outlook."
"Stanford?"
"Yeah. He didn't like Notre Dame. You owe me ten bucks."
"Damn it."
"Listen.... About earlier...."
"It was my fault. I blew up about it. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. So, are you ready to greet our son?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Fix your collar." Buffy opened the door. "Come on in guys. Wes." Wesley pulled out a file and grabbed pictures inside them. Buffy and Connor looked at them. "That's them."
"Kith'harn demons. In Los Angeles, they're the known henchmen of a warlock called Cyvus Vail." Wesley said.
"What do we know about him?" Angel asked.
"He's powerful. Heads up a large demon empire, has tendrils stretching throughout L.A."
"Tendril-tendrils?"
"Metaphor-tendrils." Lorne said.
"What does he want with me?" Connor asked.
"If he's using his Kith'harn demons, he's not trying to remain anonymous." Wesley said.
Angel dropped the pictures and walked toward the door. "Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"Go visit Mr. Vail." Angel said.
"I'll come with." Connor said.
"No. You're here."
"Angel, we know hardly anything about this man. If he's trying to bait you...." Wesley said.
"It's not up for discussion."
"At least take backup...."
"I said I'd take care of it, Wes. Drop it!" With that, Angel was gone. Connor and Lorne looked uncomfortable at Angel's tone. Wesley watched with disappointment and confusion as Angel walked out of the room.
"He's, uh.... He's kinda.... He's grumpy." Buffy ran out after him and jumped on the elevator before the doors closed. "Angel...."
"What?" Angel asked.
"Are we doing this again?"
"Doing what?"
"This! Fighting! Over our son. Do you know how much I feel like my parents right about now?"
"Buffy...."
"I don't know what demon is sucking on your soul now, but this is ridiculous. That's our son. He needs our help...."
"And I'm helping."
"With grumpiness towards everyone else. Including me." Buffy took Angel's hand. "I love you, Angel. Don't let this place take you away from me too." She wiped away a tear. "God! I feel like I'm sixteen all over again."
"Listen.... I just feel a little.... I don't know. I guess I feel pissed that this happened. I never thought I'd have to see him again and he shows up...."
"He's our son. Why wouldn't he show up? I've been expecting him to."
"You have?"
"Of course I have! I'm his mother. I know more than you do."
"Oh, of course."
***
Angel threw the limp body of a demon through the door in front of him and into the room, landing on the floor and sliding toward Cyvus Vail's feet. Buffy and Angel walked through the door to see a man sitting in a large, elegant chair in a large, well-decorated but empty room. IV drips attached to him hung on a mobile stand. The man, had dark reddish skin and straggly, thinning, white hair and he wheezed when he breathed, which he did with the assistance of oxygen tubes.
"Did you kill all of my guards?" Vail wheezed.
"All the ones we could find." Angel replied.
"Mmm. I should have given them the day off. I wasn't trying to kill your son, you know. I simply needed him to understand what he is capable of."
"How do you know about Connor?" Buffy asked.
"I built him."
"What do you mean 'built him'?"
"Could you help me up? I'd have one of my guards do it, but, well, you know." Angel helped Vail to his feet. "Thank you." Angel ripped the oxygen tubes from Vail's face and pushed him back into the chair and squeezed his throat violently. "When Connor was 5, he got lost in a department store. He wandered off while his family was shopping. It scared the poor child nearly half to death."
"That never happened." Buffy said.
"Yes.... but he remembers it happening." Angel let Vail go. "He remembers screaming in the middle of the store. He remembers his mother rushing towards him. And he remembers his father sweeping him up into his arms."
"You built his memories." Angel said.
"I did. He is some of my finest work."
"What do you want?" Buffy asked.
"I need someone dead. A demon.... named Sahjahn."
"Sahjahn."
Vail got to his feet and pulled his IV with him. "I believe you both tussled with him before. He's a nasty little cur!"
"He's gone. Justine trapped him in a bottle." Angel said.
Vail opened a cabinet and revealed the urn is inside the cabinet. "An urn.... actually. It's a morbid thing. Doesn't really go with my decor."
"He's trapped. Let him rot." Buffy said.
"Urns tend to break. Long lost enemies tend to return. I need finality to my affairs." Vail held out his right hand, palm up and waved his left hand at it, conjuring a glowing yellow glass cube in the right hand. "Do either of you know what an Orlon Window is? It's a fascinating little spell. It allows warlocks such as myself to see the past as it once was. You have to be careful with it, though. If it were to break around someone whose mind had been altered, then all his old memories would come rushing back." Angel started towards Vail. "Careful, Angel! I gave Connor his happy life." The cube faded into thin air. "Are you certain you can kill me.... before I can take it away from him? I built your son. I am not the sort of man you want as an enemy."
"Fine. I'll do it. I'll kill Sahjahn." Angel said.
"If it were that simple, I'd do it myself. No, the prophecy is quite clear. There is only one person who can kill Sahjahn."
"Connor." Buffy said, remembering the prophecy.
"So.... you see our problem. I turned your son into a healthy boy. And now, I need you two.... to turn him back into a killer."
***
Buffy found Connor looking at her high school yearbook up in the penthouse with Dawn. They were laughing and carrying on about something. The way they were acting, it was almost as if they were flirting. "Oh no!" Buffy walked over to them. "Connor, we need to see you downstairs."
"What's going on?" Connor asked.
"Something's come up. I'll meet you in the office. Just push the second button."
"Ok."
Buffy turned to look at Dawn. She was smiling. "No."
"No what?" Dawn asked.
"You can't like him."
"Why not? He's cute and sweet."
"He's in college. He's too old for you."
"Oh please! You're married to a 300 year old!"
"He's 251, not 300."
"Like that makes a difference."
"Dawn, you can't like him. You can't date him. You just can't anything with him."
"Why?"
"Because you can't."
"Buffy.... What's going on?"
"I can't tell you."
"Right, some big thing you have to hide from little Dawn. Newsflash Buffy: I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm almost 18."
"Don't remind me."
"And I'll date whoever I want. But it won't be Connor. I don't like him like that."
"Good." Buffy nodded. "Very good." She turned and walked out.
Buffy stepped off the elevator just as Connor said, "He wants me to kill somebody?"
"I guess I missed the story." Buffy said.
"A demon named Sahjahn. We've fought him before." Angel said, taking Buffy's hand.
"Why me? Why do I have to do it?"
Angel looked to Buffy for help. Buffy walked over and sat on the armrest of Connor's chair. "Because you're special. There's a prophecy that says you're the only one who can kill him."
"Why are we even entertaining this?" Wesley asked.
"Vail's made some convincing threats." Angel said.
"Since when do we give in to threats?"
"He's not threatening you. He's threatening my family." Connor said.
"He's right." Buffy said.
"We can't trust anything from Vail." Wesley said. "He did a massive spell the day we took over Wolfram & Hart. Until we understand why...."
"Is he pretty strong, this Sahjahn?" Connor asked Buffy.
"That's a bit of an understatement. Last time you two fought him, Sahjahn nearly killed you both."
"Is that true?"
Buffy looked Connor and moved his hair away from his eyes. "This is different. Like I said.... you're special."
"We don't have a choice, do we?"
"Of course we have a choice. We just need time to figure out what Vail did." Wesley said.
"We don't have time." Angel said.
"If I kill Sahjahn, Vail will leave my family alone?" Buffy and Angel nodded at Connor. Connor seemed to think it over, then stood. "What are we waiting for?"
Buffy stood proudly and followed Connor out of the office and to the training room. A moment later, Angel joined them. "You're not alone in this. Angel and I'll be right there with you." Buffy said.
"You two gonna hold Sahjahn down while I stab him?" Connor asked.
"Prophecy doesn't say you can't have a little help."
"Hardly seems fair."
"Fair's not something we worry about." Angel said.
"Maybe you should. I'm not a bully. If I'm gonna do this, you gotta let me do it my way. Now I just gotta figure out what my way is."
"You'll have your whole life for that." Buffy said.
"Might as well start now."
"All right. Let me show you a few things."
"Well, yeah.... I'm all noble and stuff, but I'm not an idiot. I've been in one fight in my entire life, and you bailed me out of it." Connor looked at the weapons on the wall. "Should I take one of these with me? An ax, or whatever this thing is." He knocked one of the weapons off the wall and it clanged as it fell to the floor. "Sorry."
Buffy picked up the axe. "That's ok. Probably stay away from the weapons for now."
"Ok. Sorry."
"Look, you're faster than Sahjahn. Use it. He talks a lot. He'll try to lull you into slowing down. Don't listen. Hit him quick. Keep moving." Angel instructed.
"Slow down Angel." Buffy said.
Connor looked at her. "Do you really think I can do this?"
Buffy touched Connor's arm. "I know you can."
***
Buffy, Angel, and Connor walked into the receiving room of Vail's home. "This place smells like a retirement home." Connor said. Buffy chuckled.
"Welcome. I've been waiting for you." Vail said.
"Oh, lord. Look at him."
"Shh!" Angel said to Connor. He turned to Vail. "Listen, Vail, we won't be staying long."
"Here's how it works." Connor interrupted. "I kill this Sahjahn thing, and we walk. You come near my family again, and I'll slit your throat. And if that doesn't kill ya, I'll chop your whole head off. And if that doesn't work, I'll.... I'll just keep.... stabbing you till you bleed to death. Understand?" Buffy smiled and Angel elbowed her.
"I do." Vail said.
"Good. So.... where is he?"
"Right through there."
Connor looked to the adjacent room with a long table beneath a crystal chandelier. "Ok. See you guys later." He walked toward the next room.
Angel jumped to Connor's side. "Listen, he's gonna talk to you. Don't let him distract you."
"I won't."
"Even if he's on the ground, do not take your eyes off him."
"Ok."
"Whatever you do, do not...."
"Dude, you're starting to freak me out."
"Right. Sorry." Connor started to walk toward the room, but Angel grabbed his arm. "Oh...." Angel straightened Connor's shirt collar. "Sorry. Go get him." Angel stepped back as Connor walked into the next room. "I'll be right over here."
Buffy looked at her husband. "Who's the mother again?"
"Shut up."
Connor looked over at the doors, but he seemed confused. "He can't see us anymore." Vail said.
"Why not?" Buffy asked.
"I can't risk Sahjahn getting loose. He has a nasty habit of trying to kill me. But don't worry. Your boy is very brave. I'm sure he'll do you both very proud."
Connor looked at the urn on the table and sighed as he psyched himself up for the task ahead. "Open sesame. Or whatever." He took the top off of the urn, and silvery smoke emanated from it, assembling nearby, forming Sahjahn.
Sahjahn turned and looked at Connor. "Thank you, mortal, for releasing me from my cursed prison. In gratitude, I grant you 3 wishes."
"Really?"
"Nah. I'm just messing with you."
"Oh."
"I do appreciate it, though. Ahh.... that urn wasn't exactly a day at the spa. I owe you one."
"Right. Well, before you start trying to kiss me, I should probably tell ya.... you and I, we're, uh.... supposed to fight."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah."
"Now, why would you want...." Sahjahn looked closer at Connor. "Ah.... you're him."
"Yeah. I'm me. Hi. You can take a moment, if you want." He pointed at the table. "There's some weapons and stuff over here if you think you'll need them."
"Thanks."
"No, he's talking to him. Why is he talking to him? I told him not to talk to him." Angel said to Buffy.
"Are you saying I talk too much?" Buffy asked jokingly. "He got it from me. Leave him alone."
"Uh.... worked out great. Thanks for asking." Connor said.
"You know, I've had a long time to plan for this moment. I figured you'd be a lot more.... intimidating." Sahjahn said.
"Yeah. Well.... I figured I was going to Tony Roma's with my folks tonight, but.... I'm here. Learn to cope."
"I'll work on it." Sahjahn pulled a fast punch, knocking Connor to the ground.
Buffy rushed toward the room, but the barrier preventing Connor and Sahjahn from seeing out also prevented her from getting in. Buffy turned and glared at Vail. "Sorry. Not your fight." Vail said.
"That's my son." Buffy growled.
"And it's his fight."
"Ow! God, that really hurt!" Connor said.
"Did it?" Sahjahn asked.
"Yeah!"
"You need to call a time out?"
"No. I'm all right." Sahjahn took a couple of swings at Connor, but missed as Connor ducked out of the way each time. Connor punched and connected with Sahjahn's face, and Sahjahn returned the favor, punching Connor and knocking him down.
Buffy moved towards Vail. "Open the doorway. Right now."
Vail held the glowing yellow glass cube in his hand. "Or you'll what? Relax. Your son has to grow up sooner or later. Sit back and watch his future unfold." Sahjahn punched Connor twice in the face and he staggered back, but didn't fall down. "There's no need to bring back the past if we don't have to."
Buffy watched as Connor threw a punch, but Sahjahn caught his fist before it connected and punched Connor in the stomach before slinging him across the room. Connor swung at Sahjahn, but didn't faze him. Sahjahn punched Connor in the kidneys, sending him to the ground.
"You know.... I went through a lot of trouble to get rid of you." Sahjahn said. "What a colossal waste of time that turned out to be." He kicked Connor in the ribs, sending him flying across the room.
"God damn it! Open it NOW!" Angel yelled. When he and Buffy turned to face Vail, they saw that Vail was frozen in time and wasn't holding the box anymore. They looked around the room and saw Illyria standing there beside Wesley, who was holding the glowing yellow cube now.
"You two changed the world." Wesley said.
"Wes.... what are you doing?"
"You sold us out to Wolfram & Hart."
"Be careful."
"Is this your 30 pieces of silver?"
"Wes.... give me that."
Illyria backhanded Angel, sending him flying across the room and he slid across the floor. "He doesn't follow you any longer."
Buffy glanced in the other room where Sahjahn was sending Connor flying across the room, and he slid across the floor. Sahjahn grabbed Connor by the lapels and lifted him into the air before slamming him on the table. Connor groaned. "You changed the world." Wesley said behind her.
"He's my son, Wesley." Buffy said. "Connor's mine and Angel's son."
"Did you trade her? Did you trade Fred for your son?"
"What?"
"Everything that's happened since we took over Wolfram & Hart, everything that's happened to...." Wesley looked at Illyria. "Her.... Did you know? Was Fred the price?"
"No." Buffy helped Angel up. "Wesley.... I can explain. Just put that down."
"Why are you both so afraid of this? He said it would bring back the past. Will it undo what you've done?"
"No. It won't bring her back." Angel said.
"Let's find out." Wesley motioned like he was going to throw the glass cube to the ground.
"No!" Buffy and Angel yelled.
"Please. You have to trust us." Buffy said.
"I can't. Not anymore." Wesley slammed the glass cube into the ground. As it shattered, the cube released an explosion of bright yellow light, sending everyone in the room back from the blast. Wesley, his past memories now available to him, stared at Buffy and Angel in shock and dismay. Buffy remembered her son was nearby as well.
"Connor!" She got to her feet.
In the adjacent room, Sahjahn had Connor bent over the table, choking him. Connor suddenly reached up and grabbed Sahjahn's throat and squeezed, then used his grip to sling Sahjahn over the table and away from him. Connor gets to his feet. "Lucky shot." Sahjahn said.
Connor rolled over the tabletop, grabbing an axe, and faced Sahjahn. He now seemed more comfortable in his own skin, fighting evenly with Sahjahn. They exchanged punches and kicks, but Connor stunned Sahjahn with a punch, and seized the opportunity by swinging the axe at his head, slicing it clean off. Connor stood over Sahjahn's body, panting. Noticing the barrier between the rooms had vanished, Buffy rushed to Connor.
"Whoa! You see that?" Connor asked. "I went a little hard-core there for a second. That guy made me really cranky."
"Are you ok?" Buffy asked, checking for any wounds.
"Yeah. I guess. I don't really like people touching my neck, you know?"
"Connor...." Angel started.
"Hey, can we.... get outta here? I'd like to go back.... see my parents. This whole fighting thing, I'm not.... I'm not really sure it's for me."
"Yeah. Let's get out of here." Buffy said, touching Connor's back and herding him out of the room.
***
Buffy and Angel stared out the window of their office. He held onto her waist as she leaned up against his chest. "I thought sunlight burned you up." Connor said behind them.
They turned and Angel knocked on the window. "Special glass."
"And special ring." Buffy said.
"Cool."
"How's your dad?"
"He's fine. They're releasing him now. I should warn you.... he's pretty pissed. I told him that you took me out demon fighting and, uh, almost got me killed. He wants to have a talk with you guys."
Angel looked at Buffy. "All right. I'll, uh...."
"I'm kidding! Man, you gotta lighten up. He thinks we spent the whole night doing tests. I told him I could bench press, like, 1,000 pounds."
"What are you gonna tell them about.... who you are?"
"The truth, more or less. I'll tell them that I'm different. I'll tell them it's.... actually a good thing. I'll tell them to stop worrying so much."
"Well, they're parents." Buffy said.
"Yeah, I know. They'll feel a lot better knowing you guys're looking out for me."
"We still haven't found Vail, but we will."
"I'm not too worried about him. Nothing he can show me I haven't already seen. Anyway.... I just wanted to say good-bye. I gotta go back to my life now."
"Oh.... do you really have to leave? I mean, right now?" Angel asked.
"I kinda think I should. I need to take care of my parents. This isn't their world. They really don't feel safe here." Connor looked into Buffy and Angel's eyes. "You gotta do what you can to protect your family. I learned that from my mother and father."
Buffy and Angel watched Connor walk out of their office toward the elevator. Connor pressed the elevator button and waited. When the elevator door opened, he cast one last glance at them, then walked onto the elevator. Buffy took Angel's hand and watched the doors close.
Buffy stopped at the door to her office. "Can you guys wait here for just one second?" She walked in and gently shut the door. "Angel?"
He turned around in his chair behind the desk. "He out there?"
"Yeah."
"How.... How is he?"
"Thrilled to be here."
"How's he taking everything?"
"Actually.... A lot better than I did. He's.... It's amazing what kind of outlook he's got. Must be that Stanford outlook."
"Stanford?"
"Yeah. He didn't like Notre Dame. You owe me ten bucks."
"Damn it."
"Listen.... About earlier...."
"It was my fault. I blew up about it. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted. So, are you ready to greet our son?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Fix your collar." Buffy opened the door. "Come on in guys. Wes." Wesley pulled out a file and grabbed pictures inside them. Buffy and Connor looked at them. "That's them."
"Kith'harn demons. In Los Angeles, they're the known henchmen of a warlock called Cyvus Vail." Wesley said.
"What do we know about him?" Angel asked.
"He's powerful. Heads up a large demon empire, has tendrils stretching throughout L.A."
"Tendril-tendrils?"
"Metaphor-tendrils." Lorne said.
"What does he want with me?" Connor asked.
"If he's using his Kith'harn demons, he's not trying to remain anonymous." Wesley said.
Angel dropped the pictures and walked toward the door. "Where are you going?" Buffy asked.
"Go visit Mr. Vail." Angel said.
"I'll come with." Connor said.
"No. You're here."
"Angel, we know hardly anything about this man. If he's trying to bait you...." Wesley said.
"It's not up for discussion."
"At least take backup...."
"I said I'd take care of it, Wes. Drop it!" With that, Angel was gone. Connor and Lorne looked uncomfortable at Angel's tone. Wesley watched with disappointment and confusion as Angel walked out of the room.
"He's, uh.... He's kinda.... He's grumpy." Buffy ran out after him and jumped on the elevator before the doors closed. "Angel...."
"What?" Angel asked.
"Are we doing this again?"
"Doing what?"
"This! Fighting! Over our son. Do you know how much I feel like my parents right about now?"
"Buffy...."
"I don't know what demon is sucking on your soul now, but this is ridiculous. That's our son. He needs our help...."
"And I'm helping."
"With grumpiness towards everyone else. Including me." Buffy took Angel's hand. "I love you, Angel. Don't let this place take you away from me too." She wiped away a tear. "God! I feel like I'm sixteen all over again."
"Listen.... I just feel a little.... I don't know. I guess I feel pissed that this happened. I never thought I'd have to see him again and he shows up...."
"He's our son. Why wouldn't he show up? I've been expecting him to."
"You have?"
"Of course I have! I'm his mother. I know more than you do."
"Oh, of course."
***
Angel threw the limp body of a demon through the door in front of him and into the room, landing on the floor and sliding toward Cyvus Vail's feet. Buffy and Angel walked through the door to see a man sitting in a large, elegant chair in a large, well-decorated but empty room. IV drips attached to him hung on a mobile stand. The man, had dark reddish skin and straggly, thinning, white hair and he wheezed when he breathed, which he did with the assistance of oxygen tubes.
"Did you kill all of my guards?" Vail wheezed.
"All the ones we could find." Angel replied.
"Mmm. I should have given them the day off. I wasn't trying to kill your son, you know. I simply needed him to understand what he is capable of."
"How do you know about Connor?" Buffy asked.
"I built him."
"What do you mean 'built him'?"
"Could you help me up? I'd have one of my guards do it, but, well, you know." Angel helped Vail to his feet. "Thank you." Angel ripped the oxygen tubes from Vail's face and pushed him back into the chair and squeezed his throat violently. "When Connor was 5, he got lost in a department store. He wandered off while his family was shopping. It scared the poor child nearly half to death."
"That never happened." Buffy said.
"Yes.... but he remembers it happening." Angel let Vail go. "He remembers screaming in the middle of the store. He remembers his mother rushing towards him. And he remembers his father sweeping him up into his arms."
"You built his memories." Angel said.
"I did. He is some of my finest work."
"What do you want?" Buffy asked.
"I need someone dead. A demon.... named Sahjahn."
"Sahjahn."
Vail got to his feet and pulled his IV with him. "I believe you both tussled with him before. He's a nasty little cur!"
"He's gone. Justine trapped him in a bottle." Angel said.
Vail opened a cabinet and revealed the urn is inside the cabinet. "An urn.... actually. It's a morbid thing. Doesn't really go with my decor."
"He's trapped. Let him rot." Buffy said.
"Urns tend to break. Long lost enemies tend to return. I need finality to my affairs." Vail held out his right hand, palm up and waved his left hand at it, conjuring a glowing yellow glass cube in the right hand. "Do either of you know what an Orlon Window is? It's a fascinating little spell. It allows warlocks such as myself to see the past as it once was. You have to be careful with it, though. If it were to break around someone whose mind had been altered, then all his old memories would come rushing back." Angel started towards Vail. "Careful, Angel! I gave Connor his happy life." The cube faded into thin air. "Are you certain you can kill me.... before I can take it away from him? I built your son. I am not the sort of man you want as an enemy."
"Fine. I'll do it. I'll kill Sahjahn." Angel said.
"If it were that simple, I'd do it myself. No, the prophecy is quite clear. There is only one person who can kill Sahjahn."
"Connor." Buffy said, remembering the prophecy.
"So.... you see our problem. I turned your son into a healthy boy. And now, I need you two.... to turn him back into a killer."
***
Buffy found Connor looking at her high school yearbook up in the penthouse with Dawn. They were laughing and carrying on about something. The way they were acting, it was almost as if they were flirting. "Oh no!" Buffy walked over to them. "Connor, we need to see you downstairs."
"What's going on?" Connor asked.
"Something's come up. I'll meet you in the office. Just push the second button."
"Ok."
Buffy turned to look at Dawn. She was smiling. "No."
"No what?" Dawn asked.
"You can't like him."
"Why not? He's cute and sweet."
"He's in college. He's too old for you."
"Oh please! You're married to a 300 year old!"
"He's 251, not 300."
"Like that makes a difference."
"Dawn, you can't like him. You can't date him. You just can't anything with him."
"Why?"
"Because you can't."
"Buffy.... What's going on?"
"I can't tell you."
"Right, some big thing you have to hide from little Dawn. Newsflash Buffy: I'm not a little girl anymore. I'm almost 18."
"Don't remind me."
"And I'll date whoever I want. But it won't be Connor. I don't like him like that."
"Good." Buffy nodded. "Very good." She turned and walked out.
Buffy stepped off the elevator just as Connor said, "He wants me to kill somebody?"
"I guess I missed the story." Buffy said.
"A demon named Sahjahn. We've fought him before." Angel said, taking Buffy's hand.
"Why me? Why do I have to do it?"
Angel looked to Buffy for help. Buffy walked over and sat on the armrest of Connor's chair. "Because you're special. There's a prophecy that says you're the only one who can kill him."
"Why are we even entertaining this?" Wesley asked.
"Vail's made some convincing threats." Angel said.
"Since when do we give in to threats?"
"He's not threatening you. He's threatening my family." Connor said.
"He's right." Buffy said.
"We can't trust anything from Vail." Wesley said. "He did a massive spell the day we took over Wolfram & Hart. Until we understand why...."
"Is he pretty strong, this Sahjahn?" Connor asked Buffy.
"That's a bit of an understatement. Last time you two fought him, Sahjahn nearly killed you both."
"Is that true?"
Buffy looked Connor and moved his hair away from his eyes. "This is different. Like I said.... you're special."
"We don't have a choice, do we?"
"Of course we have a choice. We just need time to figure out what Vail did." Wesley said.
"We don't have time." Angel said.
"If I kill Sahjahn, Vail will leave my family alone?" Buffy and Angel nodded at Connor. Connor seemed to think it over, then stood. "What are we waiting for?"
Buffy stood proudly and followed Connor out of the office and to the training room. A moment later, Angel joined them. "You're not alone in this. Angel and I'll be right there with you." Buffy said.
"You two gonna hold Sahjahn down while I stab him?" Connor asked.
"Prophecy doesn't say you can't have a little help."
"Hardly seems fair."
"Fair's not something we worry about." Angel said.
"Maybe you should. I'm not a bully. If I'm gonna do this, you gotta let me do it my way. Now I just gotta figure out what my way is."
"You'll have your whole life for that." Buffy said.
"Might as well start now."
"All right. Let me show you a few things."
"Well, yeah.... I'm all noble and stuff, but I'm not an idiot. I've been in one fight in my entire life, and you bailed me out of it." Connor looked at the weapons on the wall. "Should I take one of these with me? An ax, or whatever this thing is." He knocked one of the weapons off the wall and it clanged as it fell to the floor. "Sorry."
Buffy picked up the axe. "That's ok. Probably stay away from the weapons for now."
"Ok. Sorry."
"Look, you're faster than Sahjahn. Use it. He talks a lot. He'll try to lull you into slowing down. Don't listen. Hit him quick. Keep moving." Angel instructed.
"Slow down Angel." Buffy said.
Connor looked at her. "Do you really think I can do this?"
Buffy touched Connor's arm. "I know you can."
***
Buffy, Angel, and Connor walked into the receiving room of Vail's home. "This place smells like a retirement home." Connor said. Buffy chuckled.
"Welcome. I've been waiting for you." Vail said.
"Oh, lord. Look at him."
"Shh!" Angel said to Connor. He turned to Vail. "Listen, Vail, we won't be staying long."
"Here's how it works." Connor interrupted. "I kill this Sahjahn thing, and we walk. You come near my family again, and I'll slit your throat. And if that doesn't kill ya, I'll chop your whole head off. And if that doesn't work, I'll.... I'll just keep.... stabbing you till you bleed to death. Understand?" Buffy smiled and Angel elbowed her.
"I do." Vail said.
"Good. So.... where is he?"
"Right through there."
Connor looked to the adjacent room with a long table beneath a crystal chandelier. "Ok. See you guys later." He walked toward the next room.
Angel jumped to Connor's side. "Listen, he's gonna talk to you. Don't let him distract you."
"I won't."
"Even if he's on the ground, do not take your eyes off him."
"Ok."
"Whatever you do, do not...."
"Dude, you're starting to freak me out."
"Right. Sorry." Connor started to walk toward the room, but Angel grabbed his arm. "Oh...." Angel straightened Connor's shirt collar. "Sorry. Go get him." Angel stepped back as Connor walked into the next room. "I'll be right over here."
Buffy looked at her husband. "Who's the mother again?"
"Shut up."
Connor looked over at the doors, but he seemed confused. "He can't see us anymore." Vail said.
"Why not?" Buffy asked.
"I can't risk Sahjahn getting loose. He has a nasty habit of trying to kill me. But don't worry. Your boy is very brave. I'm sure he'll do you both very proud."
Connor looked at the urn on the table and sighed as he psyched himself up for the task ahead. "Open sesame. Or whatever." He took the top off of the urn, and silvery smoke emanated from it, assembling nearby, forming Sahjahn.
Sahjahn turned and looked at Connor. "Thank you, mortal, for releasing me from my cursed prison. In gratitude, I grant you 3 wishes."
"Really?"
"Nah. I'm just messing with you."
"Oh."
"I do appreciate it, though. Ahh.... that urn wasn't exactly a day at the spa. I owe you one."
"Right. Well, before you start trying to kiss me, I should probably tell ya.... you and I, we're, uh.... supposed to fight."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah."
"Now, why would you want...." Sahjahn looked closer at Connor. "Ah.... you're him."
"Yeah. I'm me. Hi. You can take a moment, if you want." He pointed at the table. "There's some weapons and stuff over here if you think you'll need them."
"Thanks."
"No, he's talking to him. Why is he talking to him? I told him not to talk to him." Angel said to Buffy.
"Are you saying I talk too much?" Buffy asked jokingly. "He got it from me. Leave him alone."
"Uh.... worked out great. Thanks for asking." Connor said.
"You know, I've had a long time to plan for this moment. I figured you'd be a lot more.... intimidating." Sahjahn said.
"Yeah. Well.... I figured I was going to Tony Roma's with my folks tonight, but.... I'm here. Learn to cope."
"I'll work on it." Sahjahn pulled a fast punch, knocking Connor to the ground.
Buffy rushed toward the room, but the barrier preventing Connor and Sahjahn from seeing out also prevented her from getting in. Buffy turned and glared at Vail. "Sorry. Not your fight." Vail said.
"That's my son." Buffy growled.
"And it's his fight."
"Ow! God, that really hurt!" Connor said.
"Did it?" Sahjahn asked.
"Yeah!"
"You need to call a time out?"
"No. I'm all right." Sahjahn took a couple of swings at Connor, but missed as Connor ducked out of the way each time. Connor punched and connected with Sahjahn's face, and Sahjahn returned the favor, punching Connor and knocking him down.
Buffy moved towards Vail. "Open the doorway. Right now."
Vail held the glowing yellow glass cube in his hand. "Or you'll what? Relax. Your son has to grow up sooner or later. Sit back and watch his future unfold." Sahjahn punched Connor twice in the face and he staggered back, but didn't fall down. "There's no need to bring back the past if we don't have to."
Buffy watched as Connor threw a punch, but Sahjahn caught his fist before it connected and punched Connor in the stomach before slinging him across the room. Connor swung at Sahjahn, but didn't faze him. Sahjahn punched Connor in the kidneys, sending him to the ground.
"You know.... I went through a lot of trouble to get rid of you." Sahjahn said. "What a colossal waste of time that turned out to be." He kicked Connor in the ribs, sending him flying across the room.
"God damn it! Open it NOW!" Angel yelled. When he and Buffy turned to face Vail, they saw that Vail was frozen in time and wasn't holding the box anymore. They looked around the room and saw Illyria standing there beside Wesley, who was holding the glowing yellow cube now.
"You two changed the world." Wesley said.
"Wes.... what are you doing?"
"You sold us out to Wolfram & Hart."
"Be careful."
"Is this your 30 pieces of silver?"
"Wes.... give me that."
Illyria backhanded Angel, sending him flying across the room and he slid across the floor. "He doesn't follow you any longer."
Buffy glanced in the other room where Sahjahn was sending Connor flying across the room, and he slid across the floor. Sahjahn grabbed Connor by the lapels and lifted him into the air before slamming him on the table. Connor groaned. "You changed the world." Wesley said behind her.
"He's my son, Wesley." Buffy said. "Connor's mine and Angel's son."
"Did you trade her? Did you trade Fred for your son?"
"What?"
"Everything that's happened since we took over Wolfram & Hart, everything that's happened to...." Wesley looked at Illyria. "Her.... Did you know? Was Fred the price?"
"No." Buffy helped Angel up. "Wesley.... I can explain. Just put that down."
"Why are you both so afraid of this? He said it would bring back the past. Will it undo what you've done?"
"No. It won't bring her back." Angel said.
"Let's find out." Wesley motioned like he was going to throw the glass cube to the ground.
"No!" Buffy and Angel yelled.
"Please. You have to trust us." Buffy said.
"I can't. Not anymore." Wesley slammed the glass cube into the ground. As it shattered, the cube released an explosion of bright yellow light, sending everyone in the room back from the blast. Wesley, his past memories now available to him, stared at Buffy and Angel in shock and dismay. Buffy remembered her son was nearby as well.
"Connor!" She got to her feet.
In the adjacent room, Sahjahn had Connor bent over the table, choking him. Connor suddenly reached up and grabbed Sahjahn's throat and squeezed, then used his grip to sling Sahjahn over the table and away from him. Connor gets to his feet. "Lucky shot." Sahjahn said.
Connor rolled over the tabletop, grabbing an axe, and faced Sahjahn. He now seemed more comfortable in his own skin, fighting evenly with Sahjahn. They exchanged punches and kicks, but Connor stunned Sahjahn with a punch, and seized the opportunity by swinging the axe at his head, slicing it clean off. Connor stood over Sahjahn's body, panting. Noticing the barrier between the rooms had vanished, Buffy rushed to Connor.
"Whoa! You see that?" Connor asked. "I went a little hard-core there for a second. That guy made me really cranky."
"Are you ok?" Buffy asked, checking for any wounds.
"Yeah. I guess. I don't really like people touching my neck, you know?"
"Connor...." Angel started.
"Hey, can we.... get outta here? I'd like to go back.... see my parents. This whole fighting thing, I'm not.... I'm not really sure it's for me."
"Yeah. Let's get out of here." Buffy said, touching Connor's back and herding him out of the room.
***
Buffy and Angel stared out the window of their office. He held onto her waist as she leaned up against his chest. "I thought sunlight burned you up." Connor said behind them.
They turned and Angel knocked on the window. "Special glass."
"And special ring." Buffy said.
"Cool."
"How's your dad?"
"He's fine. They're releasing him now. I should warn you.... he's pretty pissed. I told him that you took me out demon fighting and, uh, almost got me killed. He wants to have a talk with you guys."
Angel looked at Buffy. "All right. I'll, uh...."
"I'm kidding! Man, you gotta lighten up. He thinks we spent the whole night doing tests. I told him I could bench press, like, 1,000 pounds."
"What are you gonna tell them about.... who you are?"
"The truth, more or less. I'll tell them that I'm different. I'll tell them it's.... actually a good thing. I'll tell them to stop worrying so much."
"Well, they're parents." Buffy said.
"Yeah, I know. They'll feel a lot better knowing you guys're looking out for me."
"We still haven't found Vail, but we will."
"I'm not too worried about him. Nothing he can show me I haven't already seen. Anyway.... I just wanted to say good-bye. I gotta go back to my life now."
"Oh.... do you really have to leave? I mean, right now?" Angel asked.
"I kinda think I should. I need to take care of my parents. This isn't their world. They really don't feel safe here." Connor looked into Buffy and Angel's eyes. "You gotta do what you can to protect your family. I learned that from my mother and father."
Buffy and Angel watched Connor walk out of their office toward the elevator. Connor pressed the elevator button and waited. When the elevator door opened, he cast one last glance at them, then walked onto the elevator. Buffy took Angel's hand and watched the doors close.