Chapter 13: W&H, Welcome Honey!
Fred, Wesley, Gunn and Lorne have used the spell to recover their memory. After passing out they woke up to find the building infested by zombies.
Angel parked his car in the closest street of the W&H building. Connor was still lying unconscious on his seat. Angel got out locking the doors. He looked around thinking about yes or no leaving Connor in the car at everybody's mercy was a good idea. He finally stepped away hesitantly, travelling forward and backward during a moment. He finally decided to go at his friend's rescue and crossed the street at top speed.
When he saw the building everything seemed normal from outside, not a noise, not a person getting out bleeding and screaming but one thing sure was what this building could hide. He ran for the door and opened it brutally as he made an "entrance" all the people in the lobby watched him surprised. Angel was embarrassed till he remembered that the building was supposed to be under zombies attack. Yet everybody seemed fine. He went to the elevator walking first running then.
He searched for them in their respective offices but they weren't there; he was going to go back in the lab when he bumped into Harmony.
- "Ow!!!" she screamed "Can't you look!!! ……..Oh boss!" she said smiling apologetic. Angel was a little blah but asked her where the others were, she answered "the meeting room" and left rubbing her arm.
Angel arrived in the meeting room and found them sat in their seats facing demons in a middle of what seemed to be a conference. Wesley got up and asked Angel to meet their clients.
- "What?" was all Angel managed to say "where are the zombies?" he said a little more eagerly.
- "Zombies?" Wesley said disconcerted "they're Eshtars"
Angel began to smile nervously "Was it some kind of joke? No coz it's lame"
- "Angel, what are you talking about?" asked Fred.
- "You called me saying you were attacked by zombies since we've been attacked too I mean…….."
- "We haven't been attacked" Wes said "Have we?" he asked the others unsure, they all looked at each other and shrugged "At the hospital?" Wesley continued turning back toward Angel "How's the kid" he finally said like painfully.
- "He's fine" sighed Angel. After what seemed like a minute "oh!" and he ran to the door letting the others dumbfounded.
* * *
Connor opened his eyes. When you're seventeen adventure means skipping classes to smoke in the bathroom with the risk of being caught or drink for the first time at a party and waking up somewhere you don't recognize, but that was adventure that meant AH!!!!!!!!!
Connor was locked up in a car and he was panicking a little, but seemed to be the kind of panic that just grows. He began to pull the car knob crazily but the door wouldn't open, and well hit the window screaming wasn't going to do it either. Maybe push up the button. Connor finally unlocked the door and opened it. He walked out of the car into the street and all was normal, maybe all was a dream, maybe he did get drunk and woke up somewhere he wasn't recognizing. He watched forward to locate himself but unsuccessfully. He turned around and came face to face with that big guy. He screamed a frank "hee!!" and ran up the street.
- "Wait!!" screamed Angel before running after his son.
Connor never thought he could run that fast but not fast enough anyway since that strong hand grabbed his elbow and turned him around. Why do I have elbows?!! No wait……Why do I have crazy stalkers?!! Connor was ready to fight or scream like a little girl for that matter, pride is a thin ally when you're about to be killed, or molested or…….don't go there.
- "You calm down okay? Im not here to hurt you" the man said really slowly. Connor nodded as slowly and started to calm down when the man's grip loosened a little.
- "Im Angel, Im here to help you. You have to come with me"
Connor had passed to "that guy is taking me to my grave" to "that guy is taking me for an idiot"
- "I know you don't trust me" dear, a genius "but I saved your life back there so I think that gives me some credit, no?" saved my life?..........Ooh…….
- "What was that?" Connor whispered shaking slightly.
- "You mean in the hospital?" Connor nodded his eyes on the floor disappointed it hadn't been just a dream "zombies, I guess"
Angel waited a minute for Connor to absorb it but he quickly got bored so he just tried to pull the kid into the car, slightly first looking for any trace of resistance and completely then barely carrying him into the car. He talked to him during the way but Connor didn't respond, perhaps he was analysing the whole situation out or perhaps he was just in Lalaland.
Angel brought him in his office were everyone joined quickly after. They were all watching him like expecting something for him to say or do.
- "So is he back? Does he remember his former self?" Wesley whispered in Angel's ear.
- "Well he doesn't seem to do, but he's awake since not so much so he might, I don't know, I haven't gotten as mush info on those spells as I wanted"
- "it's weird, seeing him again. After what happened, it's like a slap back in reality" Angel turned toward Wes.
- "You……used the spell?" Wes bit his tongue.
- "Well……yeah……we voted……two against two so we finished with the paper, stone, scissors"
- "Oh, okay. So……I think we need to find what is going on. Those zombies attacking, those children and those zombies attacking but not really" Wes put his serious face back on.
- "Yeah, well, I have a theory but it's going to be hard to prove since it concerns W&H and they're not actually willing to help" Angel locked his eyes on Connor.
- "Whatever it takes, if they don't help I'll blow up the building. Im sure Connor would be pleased."
Connor was sitting on Angel's chair totally motionless but Angel could tell he was embarrassed by the little blush on his cheeks as Fred was fussing all over him checking for injuries. In Connor's head a little song of a chewing-gum commercial was playing trying desperately to stop the flow of horrible thoughts that came crashing into his mind. This girl was cute and well in another situation why not! But her mourning and touching and motherly talking were getting on his nerves, and right now his nerves weren't exactly what you could've called "relaxed".
- "Does that hurt here?" she asked with that honey voice of hers pressing on a part of his ribcage. He just shook his head. And why?! Oh God why!? Did all those people have to be there watching and whispering in the corners.
- "If that hurts you have to tell me sweetie" Sweetie? Okay that song! She pressed again somewhere and man! "Ow!!!!!" everybody jumped in the room; they all stared at him a little startled.
- "Oh, you have a hematoma on the hip" The hip? How did she get to the hip?! "Just gonna put some cream on it and it'll be healed in some days" she tapped his thigh and went to the aid box.
- "So……what's wrong?!" Angel asked her after intercepting her.
- "He's fine! A little hematoma, some cuts and a little concussion is all" she pointed to the cream and Wes held it to her "he's not really talkie though. Are you going to explain the whole thing to him?"
Angel took a breath "I don't know……I guess I'll just wait if he asks questions. I guess he'll never ask are you my father? Was I crazy? Did I try to kill lots of people?"
- "Angel!" Fred shot a little shocked.
- "What? Im not throwing that at his face except if he asks for it…..that sounded weird" he shrugged and took the cream from Fred's hand leaving them to go to Connor.
Connor watched this Angel walking toward him; he focused on him and didn't like this pathetic look the older man bore. Little by little Connor was putting all the information together. Child under the truck, building blowing off, hospital with incredibly long corridors then full of zombies, man throwing them by the window, locked into a car, guy pulling him into a building, girl checking for wounds with an audience, and the most important…….all that lasts in pajamas!!!!
- "Hey Connor" Angel crouched down front of Connor and smiled at the uncomfortable kid "here's some cream" he held it for Connor but kept it out of his reach "do you want me to do it?"
- "No!!!" Connor burst "I'll do it" he said clearly blushing. He took the tube really quickly snapping it out of Angel's hand. Angel stayed there watching Connor with a cute fatherly smile which by the way looked creepy to who it was meant.
- "Im not doing it now" Connor finally said in a matter of fact. Angel got back to earth.
- "Oh yeah sure. That must be uncomfortable" he said playfully.
- "Well it's not really comfortable, so yeah" the kid said throwing glances at everything but Angel, he couldn't stand that fixy glare.
- "I'll get everyone out" Angel said getting up "you must have questions" Connor looked at him unsure.
- "Yeah, some" As said Angel got everyone out.
Connor wasn't feeling threatened by those people but he wasn't feeling so secure with them all around him in his weak and not dressed state. After closing the door Angel went back to his son who was playing with the cream tube like it was a plane landing on the desk, when he saw Angel watching him amused he stopped and just let the tube on the desk like he'd never touched it. "So" the vampire began taking a seat front of the desk. Angel waited for questions that never came so he talked, explaining the situation as simply as possible. During his speech Connor would sometimes interrupt asking a question with a little voice so out of character. So the basics, Connor was pursued by a weird phenomenon that Angel and his crew, who worked in a firm which played a kind of police of the demonic world, had no clue about, that Connor wasn't exactly who he thought he was, that Angel was here to help him and to take care of him, that he was going to keep him safe till he discovers what was behind all this.
Angel talked a long time about the demon exist crap and was kindda surprised that Connor didn't ask more about himself, about his family. Apparently Connor didn't seem to notice that his family wasn't around, he didn't even seem shocked about Angel's speech but that might be because there wasn't any point in being. After a little silence Connor rubbed his neck.
Angel got up "I have apartments up there" he said pointing at the elevator "there's a bed……for you……I'll get you clothes and you can take a shower" Connor got up and went to the elevator followed by Angel. In the apartments, Connor was standing near the door not sure about what to do. Angel was uselessly showing him where everything was.
- "So, Ill let you a minute to get some clothes, won't take long" he said awkwardly.
- "Yeah, a minute" Angel smiled and took the elevator. Connor looked around, the place was big, it was a loft kind of thing where the rooms where all in the same room (-_-; ) Connor wandered around throwing an eye into the room he was going to sleep in. It was waaayyy too close of Angel's own bed and waaaayyy too easy to reach. Connor suddenly realized that he was actually going to sleep in that building, with those people……How cool!......Nonono……..How weird!.......Nonono…..oh a TV! Man, this guy was rich! Talking about the dude. Angel came back in the apartment ten minutes had passed. He gave a pile of clothes to Connor.
- "My secretary got them, I hope they fit, so I'll let you and go……"
- "Work?"
- "Yeah, work"
Connor eyed the clothes then blushed suddenly. This secretary knew what he was going to wear, everything he was going to wear, oh! Maybe she showed them all!!! Don't go there! So Angel left again and now Connor felt really lonely but the unknown of the situation, of this place was really jolting maybe he could sneak out later and spy around…….spy around hee he hee…….. Connor took a shower, he chose a soap that smelled apples ( O_o; ) and washed his hair letting the hot water run all over him. It was like a warm rain since the shower head was like three heads high from him. He then towelled himself and dressed examinating all his cuts, small cuts but still quite a lot for a small body. He put the cream and finished to get dressed. The clothes fitted really well his size.
There were sweat pants really light and loose, they were midnight blue and a sleeveless shirt, white and solid and this hooded sweater. It was a normal white sweater but for that little but Oh! too big inscription on the front in sky blue letters saying "Im a Kitten" with those big chibi eyes under it. Connor suddenly missed his so classic pajamas. His hair was wet and messy when he got to Angel's office he could feel the cold air passing through them giving him an icy shiver. He threw a look into the room and was relieved when he didn't see that angel guy. He threw a glance out the door and discretely walked out.
- "Oh!!" squeaked a girl. Connor turned to face her. She was blond and wearing a pink skirt with a T-shirt wearing a dog's back with its tail moving, well not literally. So she was the secretary he guessed.
- "Look at you!!! Isn't that outfit too cute!!" Connor was a little…..he didn't know what to respond.
- "You're searching for your fa….." she began but was cut by a cough "Angel" she finished more solemnly.
- "Hm" Connor murmured intrigued by the new personage behind him.
- "Harmony, I'll take care of the……kitten?!" Spike said reading the sweater as Connor faced him. Connor was stunned again. So many people outta place, here was a bimbo and there was a punk, in a law firm, but hey he was wearing an "Im a kitten" sweater so.
- "Isn't this cute?" Harmony said taking Connor by the shoulders.
- "Yeah, he should hang around in Santa Monica Boulevard dressed like this. He would make some friends."
- "Oh, you're so close minded. I love it. I could eat him!" Harmony said giggling passing her tongue on her lips. Spike signed to Connor to come to him which he did without further notice.
- "So" Spike began looking Connor up and down from the corner of his eyes "you're small" Connor stared at him with a killing glare, Spike as a demon, a killer, and well a man just saw it as a pout, not really impressive with those clothes on. Spike grinned, this kid was a real cartoon and that was the only visible thing he shared with his father.
- "Who are you?" Connor asked him trying to look aloof. He had his hand in his pockets and looking down which he stopped doing when he almost hit the doorway.
- "Im Spike, the ghost of the building" Connor stopped walking open mouthed. Spike stopped too and saw Connor's face. He just put his hand through the nearest wall. Connor watched delusional. Spike turned around and went walking again.
- "What is this building?" Connor whispered catching up with Spike.
* * *
Angel couldn't focus on what Wesley was saying, with his son alone in his apartment. He just wanted to be with him right now, he was also scared about what would happen next. Angel would usually go with the flow but when it was about Connor never was a good way. It was like he was supposed to know everything before it happened or always think about the worst and have plans prepared for each situation before even getting the problems. Maybe it was the meaning of being a parent but you couldn't change two hundred fifty years all of a sudden.
- "Angel?" he heard Wes called.
- "What?" he said popping his head up.
- "You're not listening to me" Wesley said to an embarrassed Angel "you know, we'll just take care of things and you can go"
- "No! I……I" Angel paused "okay" he ran for the door. Wesley went beside Fred really pleased to be alone with her. Angel walked in quick time to his office. The counter was empty but for Harmony who suddenly jumped up from behind it. Angel sighed with annoyance.
- "Angel wait?!" Angel re-sighed with annoyance.
- "What?" he said really bored. Harmony leant her head slightly on the right.
- "I just wanted to say that if you're going to see your son" she said the last two word whispering "well you wont find him there" Angel kept waiting for her to pursue and with a third sight of annoyance he asked her slowly.
- "And where is he?" Harmony shrugged "gone with Spike"
Shit – Angel wandered in the building asking there and here if people had seen Spike.
- "Angel" came the rough voice of the blond vampire. Angel turned around and……chuckled. Connor clearly realized it was for him and made him stop with one of his death glare, those Spike found pouty instead of scary. Angel hid another laugh at those eyes. "makes sometimes we're searching for ya" Spike continued "Cant you do the best you know and stay still"
Angel approached Connor and placed himself by his side stepping on Spike, literally.
- "Hey!" Angel faced him "Don't you have something to do?" he asked Spike "No!!!" Spike shot indignantly "Well go get lost" Connor watched them intrigued. Angel took Connor by the shoulder leading him the way to his apartments.
- "Looks like it's bedtime for the kitten" Spike teased.
Connor glared at him with a "look", Spike just laughed "don't do this, doesn't fit you" Connor just kept scowling at him till Angel and him had turned into a corridor letting Spike behind.
- "Im not six!!!" Connor shot "I don't need to be put in bed" he said less loudly "and it's too early!!!" he shot loud again. Angel stopped patting the pillow and put it back on the head bed.
- "Well you just got out of a long coma and it had been a pretty rough day so you need to rest" Angel turned back to the bed and pulled the covers down. Connor rushed and slapped the covers out of his hands "stop doing this!!" he said pouting for real this time. Angel smiled warningly.
- "Don't be stubborn" Connor suddenly froze. Angel noticed that sudden change and just retreated for the door. Connor trusted him without asking much questions it wasn't time to get pushy or too comfortable. Well a day or another all would backfire but it was too soon so the father attitude would wait. Connor climbed into the bed and tucked up the covers.
- "If you hear noises during the night don't be scared it'll probably be just me" Connor watched him blankly "or maybe it's what scares you?" Connor sank in his bed lying more comfortably on the soft mattress then rolled on his side back at Angel.
- "Im not scared of you and its fine if you're near by" he said with a sleepy voice. Angel turned off the light and went to the elevator with a tender smile.
A/N: Sorry for the time, sorry for my restricted vocabulary….Im so busy and lazy two things that are not supposed to be together.
