Title: CONSEQUENCES

Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own them (regrettably so). Buffy and Angel belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, UPN, and Mutant Enemy etc. Rurouni Kenshin (RK as it's known among anime fans) belongs to Watsuki Nubuhiro, Sony pictures etc.

Rating: R (for now)

Spoilers: up till "Damage" in Angel. Also, Anya didn't die at the end of "Chosen" in Buffy.

CH#8: Doubts.

[INTERIOR, UNKNOWN LOCATION]

A man is sitting in front of a fire. He has a longish face, Ember eyes & is smoking a cigarette. He seems to be deep in thought. The door opens & another man enters (camera pans to reveal that it's Lindsey).

Man: Any news on your 'champion'?

Lindsey (frowning): Plenty. Apparently, he's working for Angel.

Man (raises an eyebrow): Oh? & who told you that? Your 'Lover'?

Lindsey: Yeah. It seems that quite a lot has happened in the last couple of days. Cordelia Chase is awake.

Man: How?

Lindsey: Dunno. Eve couldn't find the details. None of the employees know anything either. Also, Angel has gone somewhere & he's made her in charge.

Man: Interesting. So what really happened?

Lindsey: No one knows. Although there's a rumor going around that there was some trouble there last night. What about you Saito?

Saito: They're here alright. My men just found one of them lying dead in the woods outside the city. There were two other bodies as well. A boy and a girl both slaughtered brutally.

Lindsey: who killed the first one?

Saito: I have my suspicions.

Lindsey: & the council?

Saito (smirking): As expected. There seems to be definite anger against our souled wonder.

Lindsey (smiling): You know, I like the way you've placed your spies. Makes it so much easier.

Saito (smiling): Yes. It does, doesn't it? (Getting serious) Tell Eve to find out everything that happened last night. & where is that Slayer?

Lindsey: Gone. She & Lorne were nowhere to be found.

Saito: Find them. Where ever they are, Angel wouldn't be far away.

Lindsey: Sure. In the meantime, I'll try finding Spike.

Saito: Don't. He's probably found out the truth about 'Doyle'.

Lindsey: Damn!

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[BASEMENT, HYPERION]

Everyone minus Angel is gathered in the Basement. Conner is shackled to the wall inside the cage. He's conscious & eyeing them with hostility.

Wesley: Who are you?

Conner looks at him with contempt but doesn't answer.

Spike (stepping forward): so you won't talk, eh? Good. Nice to see you've got a spine. Maybe I'll break it.

Cordelia looks at Spike apprehensively remembering when he had said similar words to Doyle.

Conner (smiles maniacally): What's there to talk about Vampire?

Spike: The weather. What do you think, you idiot? Who are you?

Conner: I'm sure you know that by now.

Wesley: Yes. Conner Riley aged 18, son of Lawrence & Colleen Riley. Exceptional Student; popular, recently broke up with Girlfriend of two years: Stacy. Have I missed something?

Conner: Bravo Sherlock.

Gunn: So are you gonna tell us why you tried to kill her (motions towards Riana) & us?

Conner: Felt like it.

Riana: Felt like it??? You sonofabitch. Answer the questions or I swear I'm gonna beat the shit out of you.

Conner: Promise?

Cordelia: Hey, a little less attitude & a bit more cooperation would be of the better. In case you haven't noticed, we're not the ones who are shackled to the wall.

Conner: Hm…let me think about it……NO!

Gunn (calling over his shoulder): Fred? You got some doohickey that can turn him into a dumbass tattletale?

Fred (glaring at Conner): I'm sure I can find something.

Conner: Well hello there. How's your throat? I owe you one. Remind me to pay it back…with interest.

Fred: After what you did to Angel, you should be more worried as to what we're gonna do to you.

Conner: Oh yeah. How is that guy anyways? In pain I hope.

Fred: Oh he's gonna be okay. Can't say the same for you.

Spike: So wonder boy… what's your bone with the bit over there? (Motions towards Riana)

Conner (in a bored voice): You're asking me as if I'm gonna tell you. What happened, did all that bleach leak into your head?

Cordelia & Gunn smile.

Spike: Was that the best you can do?

Wesley: Ok. You don't want to talk, fine. We'll just 'ask' your parents. I'm sure they'll be only too glad to help.

Conner (tensing up): My parents?

Cordelia: yeah. Why? They do know about your secret identity, don't they? (Raises a hand to her mouth as if in shock) they don't? Oh well.

Conner: Hurt them & you'll find that earlier was just a glimpse of what I can be.

Wesley: Oh we will not do anything so crass. We'll just let them see you like this. As they say… 'Never go for the kill when you can go for pain.'

(Voice over): NO.

The others turn to find a weak but determined looking Angel standing at the head of the stairs.

Angel (coming down): We won't do anything like that. He'll talk.

Conner: I will? Well… this is interesting. Why would I do that old man?

Angel (stopping in front of Conner): because you won't have a choice. (Looks at Gunn) I want to see Lilah.

Wesley: Lilah? What would you accomplish from seeing her?

Fred: Yeah. Is she connected to all this?

Spike: Who's Lilah?

Cordy: Lilah was the head of Wolfram & Hart last year.

Spike: Was?

Cordy (deadpan): I killed her.

Spike: Oh.

Wesley: Angel? I don't think she can be reached. Believe me. I tried. Besides… calling her might alert Eve & the senior partners might take an interest in all this.

Angel: You wouldn't understand Wes.

Cordy: No. Angel's right (shares a look with Angel). Maybe she knows something. Besides we have to try someone. The books won't help us in this.

Angel: Look I don't care if reaching her is difficult or impossible. I want to see her. Alone. NOW! Gunn?

Gunn: I'm on it. (Leaves)

Lorne: So Angelcakes, what do we do with 'Van Hellion' till then?

Angel: Read him.

Lorne: Ok… you might have forgotten, but I only read people when they sing. And somehow I don't think he'll sing. (After a beat) unless it's on our graves.

Angel: But you've read me countless times when I didn't sing. Try. Please.

Wesley looks at Angel strangely then motions Lorne to do as he asks.

Lorne (facing Conner): Hi there. (Nervously) So Sour puss, would you care to hum something?

Conner: And 'why' would I do that?

Lorne: Um… due to the goodness of your evil, uncaring heart.

(Angel winces at the mention of 'evil' but the others don't notice.)

Conner: Well let's see.

We create
you destroy
everything you could ever want
Creation
Destruction
With your money and politics

Conner: Like it.

Lorne: Oh my. (Wipes sweat from his forehead)

Angel: what? What did you see?

Lorne: I need a sea-breeze.

Wesley: Lorne? Tell us what you saw.

Lorne: Well there was lots of blood. The occasional apocalypse & did I mention that Angelcakes seemed to be a VERY prominent feature in all this?

Fred: Angel?

Spike: Peaches???

Lorne (distractedly): yeah peaches…I mean Angel was there. A lot. But there seemed to be some connection between them. There was also a dark mist surrounding our 'resident evil'.

Fred: who, Angel?

Lorne: No. I meant 'mini Hulk' over there (nods in Conner's direction).

Angel (walking towards the Stairs): I'm gonna be in the garden. If anyone needs me, you can find me there. (Leaves)

Spike: well… that was interesting.

Wesley: He knows something. Question is why isn't he telling us?

Cordelia: Maybe he needs to confirm some stuff. I'll go talk to him.

Lorne: I'm gonna fix myself a drink.

Riana: I wanna contact my watcher. Is there a phone here somewhere?

Fred: C'mon I'll show you.

(Only Wes & Spike remain in the basement)

Wesley: Spike, how well did you secure him?

Spike: Well enough, mate. Wonder boy ain't goin' anywhere.

(Wes nods his head then leaves without a word, obviously deep in thought)

(Spike eyes Conner thoughtfully then looks up the stair. Then he too leaves.)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Angel is sitting on a bench in the garden busy brooding.

Cordy: Thought I'd find you brooding.

Angel looks up sadly. Cordy is saddened to see the haunted look in his eyes. They remain like this for some time. Neither speaking a word, just looking at each other. Finally Angel makes room for Cordy & she sits down beside him.

Angel: I didn't want this for him.

Cordy: I know.

Angel: Ironic isn't it? Whenever I try doing something right, it blows up in my face. I mean… I tried to save Buffy, only for her to die a year later. Tried saving Darla, instead saw her dying in front of my eyes. Tried to save you guys from my darkness, instead Wes got shot & nearly died. & now…This! (Sarcastically) Yeah, I'm a real Champ!

Cordy: Those weren't your fault Angel. I mean… Because you fired us, we all grew up. Look at Wes today. Look at me, Gunn. Buffy's the Slayer, she would've died sooner or later… Also, Darla would've

But Angel cut her off

Angel: Buffy would've died sooner or later? Then why couldn't we stay together? I gave up everything for her & she…died!

Cordy: It wasn't your fault.

Angel: so you keep telling me. Doesn't make it any easier though.

Cordy: What do you think happened with Conner?

Angel: God… I don't know. He was supposed to live the American dream, have it all. Instead I find that my son is a serial killer & what's more, he does his jobs with a song in his heart. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Unknown to them, Spike listened with growing interest.

Cordy: Will you listen to yourself? This isn't the Angel I know. What happened to you?

Angel: I got screwed one too many times.

Cordy: So what? Everybody gets screwed sometime. You're gonna let them win?

Angel: You don't understand Cordelia. He's my son. How can I fight against him? I won't hurt him. I've already messed him up enough.

Cordy: NO you haven't. You don't want to hurt him? Good. Then you MUST fight him. Save him from himself & those who are pulling his strings.

Angel (looking down): When I find the person who polluted him, what I'll do to them will make Angelus look like a cuddly puppy.

Cordy: Good. That's the spirit. We'll make them pay. But in the meantime, you've got to pull yourself together.

(Voice over): Listen to her mate, Cheerleader's right.

Angel jumped as if he'd been shot.

Angel (vamping out): Spike!

Spike: whoa there. I'm on your side here mate.

Angel: What'd you hear?

Spike: Enough. (Seeing Angel's murderous look) Now wait a bit. I had my suspicions. The kid acts too much like Angelus for comfort. Only a hell spawn of his could act like that. What I'd like to know is how he came to be? I mean… Bloody Hell Angel! This kind of shit's never happened before. Do you know the number of prophecies that mention that kid?

Angel (dryly): I have some idea.

Spike: So… who's his mother? Darla?

Angel & Cordy both looked at him in surprise

Cordelia: How'd you know?

Spike: Oh come on. Give me some credit. I spent more than a century with the bint. I'd recognize her or her profile anywhere. (Light's a cigarette)

Angel (turning away): Just keep your mouth shut around the others.

Spike (raising an eyebrow): You're not gonna tell 'em?

Angel (pausing & looking over his shoulder): I'll tell them when it's the right time.

With that he went back inside.

Spike looked at Cordelia who shrugged & they both followed Angel inside.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................

[EXTERIOR, UNKNOWN LOCATION]

A group of robed men are chanting in front of a large circle of fire. In the middle of the circle, there is a star shape on the ground. A man is sitting in the middle of it & in front of him is another fire, albeit small. He's chanting

Earth

Fire

Wind

Power

Soul

White Passage

Mountain Blue

Raging sea,

Violent rule,

Expand

Will

Slay

The star in which he's sitting starts to glow bluish. He keeps chanting & suddenly a pillar of wind & fire erupts from the star's edges. The man picks up a jewel encrusted dagger & throws it into the fire. The fire turns eerily purple & then dies down.

Man: did you finish the setting up of the other paths?

Robed man: Yes my Lord.

Man: what about their keepers?

Robed man: All are dead.

The man smiles & then starts chanting again. He motions for each of his men to stand on the lines emanating from the star's edges, & on the circle's edges. He then starts chanting in an unknown language. The wind starts to build up & then completely dies down. Suddenly fire erupts from the circles edges & the men standing on it are consumed in it. The man's chanting grows feverish as he slits his palm & drops his blood into the fire in front of him. The purple fire turns into dark crimson & the men standing on the star's lines are also consumed by the fire. Suddenly the dagger lying in the fire glows brilliant red & then melts. The man's breathing starts getting ragged as he continues pouring his blood in the fire.

Shrieks & wails can now be heard as dark shapes start to circle the fire & the ground starts to shake. The man takes out an amulet (like the one Spike wore) & wearing it, holds it in front of the fire. Flames from the fire start striking the amulet with great force as the man continues shaking uncontrollably. Suddenly the amulet glows brilliantly & then the fire from all around converges on the man, vaporizing him & everything in its path.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Office, Hyperion]

Angel is sitting in front of the TV watching Conner on the camera feed.

(Voice Over): God….do you ever come up for air or is it brood, brood & brood? Not that I don't enjoy seeing you in misery.

Angel (still staring at the TV): Lilah….how horrible to hear you.

Lilah (smiling): What's this I hear? Someone beat the crap out of you. (Wistfully) Wish I could've been there.

Angel: Close the door Lilah. You and I are going to have a little chat.

Lilah: About?

Angel (Moving quickly & pinning Lilah to the wall): Don't play with me Lilah. You know what I'm talking about.

Lilah (in a choking voice): You mean Conner?

Angel (throwing Lilah towards the other wall): Oh, so you do remember him. Good… it'll save me some time.

He goes and crouches in front of Lilah

Angel (whispering): You think you know Angelus, don't you? Think again. Right now, you well being depends on your being honest.

Lilah (picking herself up): what you gonna do? Kill me? News flash: I'm already dead.

Angel: Oh Lilah, so stupid. Don't you know that there are things so much worse then death? I can do all of 'em.

Lilah (getting up & rearranging her suit): What do you wanna know?

Angel: what happened? I thought we had an agreement.

Lilah: Oh we did. But someone forgot to read the fine, fine print.

Angel (edgily): You didn't mention anything about a fine, fine print. And besides I read the contract thouroughly. There was no mention of any of this.

Lilah: It said & I quote, "….in the event of an unprecedented & threatening event, Mr. Conner shall regain the use of his abilities…."

Angel: So? Nothing like that happened.

Lilah: didn't it? (Bitterly) haven't you learnt anything about us? We play with law Angel, be it demon or human law. 'Unprecedented situation' gave the Senior Partners a way in. When you were given the amulet last year, it wasn't meant for Spike. It was meant to get you out of the way.

Angel: But they need me dark. Why kill me?

Lilah: Spike. His presence gave them a loophole. The prophecies don't mention anything about the identity of the souled vampire. Just that he will have a soul. Well…guess what? Spike's one too. Besides…. The amulet wasn't supposed to do that. It was supposed to extinguish the soul. Instead, it bonded with the soul to destroy the Turok-han army.

Angel: & what then?

Lilah: the senior partners plan was thwarted. This was an 'Unprecedented situation'. I must say… that Slayer of yours really pulled a neat one. No one had any idea that she would unleash the entire power of the Slayer.

Angel: what's all that got to do with my son?

Lilah: I don't know all the facts. But you should know one thing, the spell you've put on Conner makes him unstable. This could prove fatal for you white hats.

Angel: Why are you telling me all this?

Lilah (gazing out the door at Wesley and Fred holding hands & smiling): I never thought that they would be so cruel, you know?

Angel (following Lilah's gaze): Cruel?

Lilah: yeah. To see him with someone else. That's the hardest punishment anyone could deal me. I was prepared for hell. Even looking forward to it. Instead I have to see 'that' every moment of this 'existence'.

Angel: So…about Conner?

Lilah: Understand this. Your son is in really grave danger. You don't know what you're dealing with here. Just know this, what happened in Sunnydale last year, had something to do with it.

Angel (to himself): Slayers.

Lilah turns to leave, but Angel grabs her by the shoulder.

Angel: You're not leaving until I say so.

There is a knock on the door & Cordelia enters.

Angel: Cordy?

Cordy: Um…I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help myself. I heard what she was saying to you.

Angel: oh.

Cordelia: Remove the spell Angel.

Angel: What? No!

Cordelia: You have to Angel. You know better than anybody else that ignorance can be fatal. He could get killed by the slayers, the police, demons or even us.

Angel (weakly): But…

Cordy: You know I'm right. It's too dangerous. We have to save him. He's ours Angel. We don't abandon our own.

Angel (remains silent for a moment): Alright. Lilah, how do we end the spell?

Lilah: Well…it was cast by a powerful mage, who's not exactly friendly towards white hats. He won't do it.

Angel: He will.

Lilah: Wait just a minute champ. You could always break through his magic.

Cordy: where would we get a magician so powerful? The only one powerful enough that we know of doesn't trust us anymore.

Lilah looks at her.

Cordy: Me?

Angel: Her?

Lilah: She used to be a higher being. She can do it. She will need help. But she's capable of it.

Cordy: But I lost all my demony-self. I'm plain old Cordy again.

Lilah: Plain old Cordy? That wasn't something that you can just lose. It's a part of you now. You'll do fine.

Angel looks at Cordelia with the first hint of a smile.

Angel: Alright then. Let's Do it!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

AN: ThanX for ALL the really AWESOME reviews. U guys mean so much to me. The reviews u left me really made my day. U RocK!

The lyrics were from a song titled "Creation-Destruction" by Aesthetic.

Hm…I know this chapter isn't much, but I thought to get it out while I can.

IMPORTANT! I have an idea as to what I would like to happen in this story but I'd really like some reader input. If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask.

I'll probably update sooner now that my vacations have started, unless my computer goes on the fritz or my muse gets sick.

READ & REVIEW!!!!