True Destiny Continues

Chapter 10: Confrontations

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from the Angel series. I only own my original characters.

Connor made his way slowly down the hall, trying to focus on scenting out Milani. When his memories were stripped, some of his abilities went with them. They were slowly making their way back to being at full strength, which was an annoyance to Connor. He had wished to be normal for so long and now he just wanted to have his special abilities back. He realized now that's what made him special. It's what made him a champion. And this champion had questions for that strange girl. He sniffed the air again. He was close to her…very close. His ears prickled and he followed the sound of Faith's voice. He stopped outside the door and listened intently. Then he heard something that caused him to inhale sharply.

What in the world? How could that be true? There was someone else walking around with his face, with his dad's face for that matter. And those replicas just happened to be related to Milani? That explained why she thought his dad and him were people she knew. But what about that thing that Spike asked him, something about a connection. Vampire families were known for feeling strong connections to each other, each one able to know when one of their relatives was nearby just by that connection. So if her family was in another dimension, then how could Spike feel a connection to her? Something was missing from this picture.

Milani closed her eyes in frustration. Could her life get any weirder? She rubbed her fingers across her forehead, trying to ease her headache, but it just seemed to have grown in intensity. Her guess would be that the insane conversation she was having at this moment was the cause. How could there be two sets of people walking around with the same faces? Okay, so she studied a lot about anomalies, portals, and varied subjects that were of the unexplainable. Her very presence here on this planet was an anomaly in itself; the child of a male vampire and a part demon/part human female. She should be used to this crazy stuff right? That thought didn't make her feel any better. Faith touched her arm, shaking her out of her thoughts.

"Lani I know this is heavy but are you okay," Faith questioned, her eyes filled with concern. The girl shouldn't have to deal with this, not right now. After all, she just helped save the world. She deserved a break.

"I don't know," Milani answered honestly. "I don't know if I will ever be okay again. This is just too…how could this…why didn't I know about---."

"You didn't know because you were probably never meant to come here," Gunn chimed in. Both pairs of brown eyes turned to look at him then. "What I meant was, you wouldn't have known if you didn't go portal jumping right? You would have never met our versions of Angel and Connor if you had stayed in your reality. The real question is why did you come here to our world?"

Connor chose that moment to open the door and enter the room. "That's what I would like to know," he demanded. He hadn't intended for it to come out that way, but he couldn't help it. This girl possibly held all the answers to his questions and he wasn't leaving until he got them.

Gunn rose from the chair and crossed the room to stand in front of Connor. "What is it with you and your dad with the skulking," he asked sarcastically.

"I wasn't skulking…I was just---," Connor corrected before he was cut off.

"You were just eavesdropping," Gunn finished for him. "What you need to do is take your narrow behind to bed."

Connor bit back the nasty retort that popped into his mind. "I'm not going anywhere until I talk to her," he said stubbornly.

"Her has a name," Faith told him angrily. "You know what? My friend doesn't need this shit. She's dealing with some very weird stuff right now, so I think you need to take a hike junior."

Connor rolled his eyes. He was just about to say something else when she spoke up.

"It's okay Faith," Milani said softly, her eyes focused on Connor. "You and Gunn go find somewhere to crash. Take a shower too."

"You tryin' to tell us we stink chica," Faith asked with smile. She watched her friend carefully for a moment. She was reluctant to leave her alone with Connor. Her last encounter with the little brat wasn't exactly a trip to Disney Land. Still, she knew when Milani got that look on her face that there was no changing her mind. She grabbed Milani's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze before rising to her feet, an audible groan escaping her. She really did need a hot shower.

"Come on Denzel…let's leave these kids to talk," Faith said dryly, jerking her head to the door.

"You sure that's a good idea," Gunn asked, one eyebrow raised in speculation. He didn't want to leave Milani alone with Connor. The kid did seem to be a hell of a lot mellower, but that didn't ease Gunn's apprehension. Suppose the kid reverted back to his old tricks. Connor had always been like a grenade with the pin always primed to be pulled. He could easily hurt Milani, especially now that her power was not at full strength.

"No I'm not sure, but Lani is," Faith replied with a shrug. "I just have to trust that she knows what she's doing."

Gunn nodded, running a hand over his head. He fixed Connor with a hard stare. "Now listen up vamp junior, don't let us regret leaving Milani alone with you," he said firmly.

Connor's face took on a pained expression. "I'm not gonna hurt her," he said quietly.

"See that you don't," Faith countered gruffly, as she passed by him on her way to the door. "Otherwise, it will be my foot up your ass." Her last statement was flung over her shoulder. "Chuck you coming or what," she called from the hallway.

"Yeah," was all Gunn said as he gave Connor another pointed look.

Connor waited until Gunn finally left the room; the sound of the door clicking shut sounding ominously loud in the now silent room. He crossed the room and sank down onto the armchair that Gunn previously sat in. He pulled the chair closer to the bed and leaned forward slightly, leaning his forearms on his thighs. His gaze bore into her, willing her to be the first one to speak.

"So I'm guessing you want some sort of an explanation," Milani asked carefully. He nodded. She sighed loudly. "So do I Connor. So do I."

Illyria stood silently watching the vampire pace back and forth. What exactly did he want from her? What did he expect her to say? Did he want her to say that she loved Wesley too much to let him go? There was that word again, a word she only knew the meaning of because of Fred's memories. She never expected to feel anything like this. Anger was an emotion she was comfortable with, but this, this she could not handle. Sometimes she wondered if it was only Fred's memories that she was left with. There were times when she swore that---."

"Illyria," Angel barked out. "Are you even listening?"

Her cold blues eyes rested on him. "No I was not," she replied coolly. "Repeat whatever it is that you said."

"I said anytime now would be great," Angel gritted out. She continued to regard him coldly. "Wes…surrounded by blue light…explain."

"I believe I already explained," she replied easily. "He was on the brink of death. I was not ready for him to die, so I stopped it."

"What gave you the right to do this," Angel said heatedly.

"I have every right vampire," she countered darkly. "It was not his time to die."

"You had no right," he screamed, his entire body tight with anger. "His soul is trapped somewhere now. He's probably scared, alone, and confused. Is that what you want for him?"

Her face softened. "No I do not want that," she said quietly. "But I just could not let him die. I cannot explain my actions. All I know is that he was dying in my arms and I had to stop it."

"So you decide to trap his body here, while his soul is god knows where," he fumed, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. "Look this is going no where. Just tell me if there is any way that you can bring him back."

She shook her head. "I can no longer turn back time. I was not even aware that I was able to still control time. Apparently, I can only do it in a small controlled circumstance."

Angel's face crumbled visibly. "So technically he's gone," he whispered hoarsely.

"As soon as I lift the time shield he will pass," she replied, her own voice feeling as if it was clogged.

Angel closed his eyes, fighting back tears. "Do it…I don't want his soul to suffer any longer," he said, choking slightly on the words.

"Are you going to tell him who she really is," Lilah asked him, even though she already knew the answer.

"How can I not," He answered softly. "Angel deserves to know the truth and I will not allow Milani to get hurt again."

"I don't want her to get hurt any more than you do," she admitted. Besides her own mother and Wesley, Milani was the only other person that she ever cared about.

"You care about her don't you." It came out more like a statement than a question.

"More than you know," she said lightly.

"I still can not believe the extent you and Lindsey took to get back at Angel. I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm quite happy that it blew up in your faces."

"Well what can I say…I fell in love with the little brat," she quipped. "Seriously Wes. Protect her."

"I will…I promise," he stated with finality. "Now please send me back."

Lilah nodded. "Tell Lani that her Auntie loves her," she said brokenly. She then waved her hand. In the blink of an eye, Wesley was gone.

"Please Illyria…let him go," Angel pleaded. "If you really cared about him, you will let him go."

The sound of crackling turned both their attentions to the body. Both demons watched in fascination as the blue energy wavered and then disintegrated. Wesley's eyes flew open and his lungs expelled a sharp breath. "Angel," he whispered, his throat suddenly feeling scratchy.

Angel immediately flew to his friend's side. "Wes…how did…I don't understand," he sputtered as he helped Wesley into a seated position. "You think you can stand?" At the nod he received, Angel placed his arm around Wesley's waist and pulled him upward until they were both standing. He then helped him over to sit on the circular couch.

"I do not understand," Illyria said finally, her voices sounding panicked. "How is this possible? How can you be alive?"

Wesley allowed his eyes to drift in the old one's direction. "It's a bit of a story," he rasped. He turned to look at the vampire who was sitting next to him; one arm around his shoulders holding him so tight as if he thought Wesley would leave again. "Angel there's so much I have to tell you…about Milani. I have to tell you about her."

Angel pulled his friend into an awkward hug. "Just let me hug you for a while alright," he mumbled, a tear finally making it's way down his cheek.

Wesley melted into the embrace. It had been so long since they had been this close. Once they had almost been like brothers...until Connor. That last thought made him pull away from Angel. He had to explain, because sooner or later danger would come. Wolfram & Hart were not through with them yet.

"Angel you need to know the truth," he began, swallowing hard. "You need to know who Milani really is."

Note: I'll stop it there for now. So I finally brought Wes back, but there is still much to explain. Next chapter, we have Willow performing the spell to return Milani's powers, a visit from Giles (well sort of), and Wes explains where he was when his body was in stasis and what he discovered.

Much thanks to everyone who has reviewed my story. You have no idea how much feedback means to a writer. Thank you guys for actually making me feel like I can actually write a little.