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: M (for now)
Spoilers: up till "Damage" in Angel. Also, Anya didn't die at the end of "Chosen" in Buffy.
CH#10: Threats, Explanation, an Attack & a Decision.
Interior, Lobby of the Hyperion
Angel: Conner?
Conner: What? No hugs? No "I love you Conner"?
Angel (cautiously): You remember?
Conner (Sneering): Oh you mean you destroying my life & then discarding me? Yeah.
Cordy: If you remember then you must see that he did it to save you….
Conner: great job Dad!
Spike: as fun as all this sounds… we brought you back for a reason junior. What happened? From what I've gathered from eavesdropping on people, you weren't supposed to have your powers.
Conner: Who're you? Another idiot who's decided to join his (motions towards Angel) noble cause?
Spike: No! (Somewhat quietly) I'm nothing like him. And I'm the one asking the questions here. How come you went from being a normal Joe to sergeant slaughter?
Conner: Like I'd tell you.
Fred: You will if you don't wanna taste my tazer.
Gunn: Oh boy, I'm hoping he won't talk. I've been itching to give him his dues since forever, man.
Conner (to Angel): You like having flunkies around you, don't you? That's why you wanted to remove me? So I wouldn't butt in & question your 'judgment'?
Angel: No. I did it because I love you. I'd do it again if it would help you.
Gunn: You'd what? (To Fred) You heard that too, right?
Fred: Angel?
Angel: I'm sorry but it's the truth. I love him. I'd do anything for him. You guys know that.
Spike: So you'd turn on your friends to help your psycho kid? Brilliant.
Angel: And what do you suggest I do? Let him continue like this?
Spike: try being a father.
Angel: Look you don't know what he was like when I did it last time. He was out of his mind. This time it's worse. He's been killing in cold blood. My Son is a fucking killer!
Conner (through clenched teeth): Stop calling me Son.
Spike: that's it? That's your solution? Your kid's having problems & the way you deal with it is to erase his & everybody else's memories?
Angel (through clenched teeth): Shut up Spike! You know nothing about this.
Spike: Oh I've had experiences ….from you. Helping by Pain, right?
Angel: you're still mad about what Angelus did?
Spike: Don't blame him. It wasn't the demon who wished me to be humiliated. Angelus wanted to make me a monster.
Angel: OH right…you have a soul now so you can tell what he wanted? You can (sounding incredulous) relate?
Spike: That's called in-sight moron. I was with you for decades.
Angel: You know what…I don't have time for this. I can only deal with one kid at a time.
Spike: Figures…'s like you to run away from responsibilities.
Cordelia: GUYS! Will you SHUT UP? You guys are like children. It's not about who did what way back when. It's about helping Conner.
Conner: Who said I need help?
Lorne: How come he's acting exactly like he was before?
Gunn: Yeah. This was supposed to bring back the old Conner.
Angel: I don't know. It's like he's….
Voice: Enjoying himself?
Everyone turns to see Wesley walking in through the doors.
Cordy: Wesley… you ok?
Wes: no.
Fred: then why?
Wes (looks Angel in the eyes): because there's work to be done.
Angel looks at him & then nods his head.
Lorne: so he's doing it willingly? (Sounds horrified).
Wes: I think so, yes.
Fred (looking at Gunn): Maybe we should contact his parents (off Angels look) or caretakers or whatever.
Gunn: Good idea. I'll have them brought in for questioning.
Conner: You involve them into this & I'll have to kill them too.
There's a stunned silence as everyone looks aghast at Conner.
……………………………………………………………………………………...
LAX, Night-time
Exterior
Fukou: Where's our guide? We've been standing here for 20 minutes.
Anya: Well Giles said he'll be here. And he hasn't been wrong much in the past. I think whoever he arranged will be here soon.
Dawn: I think our ride just arrived. Look.
They see a car slowing down near them. The door of the car opens & man of about thirty gets out.
Man: You from England?
Anya: Depends. Who wants to know?
Man: Special Agent for the Watcher's Council, Lindsay McDonald.
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Spike could not believe his ears. He had committed a lot of heinous acts. Had seen them being committed by demons and people alike. But he had never thought that he would live to see someone prepared to kill his family just so he could keep killing. And someone so young at that. Didn't matter that it was a super-kid whose biological father was a vampire. He was still a human and one with a soul.
Gunn (stunned): what!
Conner: you heard me. Involve them in this & they also die.
Fred: But why? Why do you want to kill people?
Conner: you wouldn't understand. And even if you did, I'm not telling.
Angel: You'll tell us…. One way or the other.
Conner: You're gonna do what? Beat me? Torture me? Try the pain tactic? It isn't gonna work.
Angel: I know. That's not what I'm gonna do.
Conner: oh?
Angel: Everybody ….in my office…now!
Wes, Spike & Fred look at each other before following Angel.
Angel (over his shoulder): You too Lilah! Gunn, check Conner's restraints. Make sure they're tight & secure.
Riana: what about me?
Angel: Help Gunn.
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Interior, Lindsey's place
Anya: So Lindsey… you have been monitoring the situation. What do you think? Is Wolfram & Hart behind this?
Lindsey: there've been reports; vague ones. But no. No direct contact or involvement has been proven as yet.
Dawn: What? But the Council seems to think that it's pretty much the case of Angel having switched sides for team Evil.
Saitou (entering the room): But the Council views the situation in terms of black or white, Ms. Summers. It's not quite as simple or as clear cut.
Anya (to Lindsey): Who's he?
Lindsey: Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Saitou Hajime, Second Captain of the Wolfram & Hart Special Forces.
Anya, Dawn & Fukou look at Lindsey, flabbergasted.
Anya: What? You are collaborating with the enemy? Are you nuts?
Lindsey: No, on both accounts. Saitou here is a double agent. He used to be part of the Old Watcher's Council some time ago. He's keeping us up to date with all the operations being carried out by Wolfram & Hart.
Fukou: He's Japanese?
Saitou: Half.
Dawn: What's his nationality got to do with it? (To Lindsey) What I want to know is how can you be sure he's trust worthy? What's to say he's not bluffing you?
Lindsey: The simple fact that he's himself saved 3 slayers already, without them having any knowledge of it. Besides I've known him for quite some time now. It was me who suggested that he apply for the vacancy created by the massacre at Wolfram & Hart last year.
Anya (guardedly): Ok. You said he saved 3 slayers. From who or what?
Saitou: They were assassins…. Humans. I didn't recognize them.
Dawn: You don't recognize people who supposedly work at the same organizations as you do?
Saitou: It's a very big organization. I'm only responsible for a Unit of the Special Forces.
Lindsey: We've been keeping an eye on things though. It seems that this past two or three days, there's been something going on at Wolfram & Hart. Most of the top brass has been taking time off of work doing something.
Fukou: By 'top brass' you mean this Angel?
Lindsey: he & his associates.
Anya: What sort of things?
Lindsey: Well…. For one thing, we know for a fact that Cordelia Chase is out of her coma. Angel's been gone these past two days & she's been in charge.
Saitou: Also there seems to have been some sort of trouble at the offices a couple of nights ago. Although no one has been able to find out what happened. One of the night guards has been reported missing.
Anya: That doesn't prove anything. For all we know it could be their version of summer cleaning or the attack of some other enemy of theirs. Do we have some concrete evidence that Wolfram & Hart, more specifically Angel is behind it?
Lindsey: If you're looking for hard & fast evidence, you're never gonna find it. It's Wolfram & Hart we're talking about. They wrote the book on ways to avoid getting caught. Do you really think that they'd be caught napping? Especially when they're doing something this big?
Fukou: But haven't you been monitoring the slayers? Surely having surveillance near the primary targets can give u an idea who or what is responsible for these target killings?
Saitou: We're only two people. Most of our contacts aren't people you'd trust around slayers. They're good for info but hardly anything else.
Anya: but what about your spy network? Surely you can use them.
Saitou: I did. All the killings took place where they couldn't be or weren't. (Beat) You don't seem to understand that the people after the slayers are good. So far only one of the assassins has been caught. Even he was killed, apparently by one of their own.
Dawn: Did the slayer survive?
Lindsey: No.
Dawn: Oh.
Anya: But what about this Riana Gilchrist? How come she is with Angel? Why haven't you got her back?
Lindsey: We're not connected to the watchers directly. We don't interfere until direct confrontation is unavoidable. Besides you should be asking Krauss this question.
Fukou: He's Riana's watcher?
Lindsey: Yeah.
Dawn: ok….so what do we do now?
Anya: We get their (points towards Lindsey & Saitou) sources to scrounge info.
Saitou: I'll be honest with you. I don't like the Council's habit of waiting & watching. It's one of the reasons I left in the first place. We should be more proactive.
Dawn: What do you mean?
Saitou (darkly): Slay. Evil. Instantly.
Lindsey: We've seen so many lives lost due to the waiting strategy. (Mumbles) Been part of some myself.
Anya: What?
Lindsey: Nothing. Look we can ask Our People to step up their game. But it will result in direct confrontation at some point. What does the council say about that?
Anya: We do what is necessary. But NO unnecessary violence.
Saitou: Understood. But I wouldn't come in front of Angelus or his people.
Anya: Alright.
Lindsey (frowning): you're planning on visiting the firm?
Anya: Yes. I find that direct approach is the best approach….mostly.
Saitou: I concur. So it's settled?
Anya: Lindsey?
Lindsey: Yeah. It's settled.
Anya: Good. (To Dawn & Fukou) Now Girls, Off to bed.
Dawn & Fukou groan but reluctantly follow Anya out of the room. The two men watch them go.
Saitou: You do realize that we have a problem here?
Lindsey: What?
Saitou: if you go to Wolfram & Hart & Spike sees you, then you will be exposed. Also …The Council may raise the question may raise the question just why we didn't inform them about Spike?
Lindsey (frowning): Yeah. I see your point. They may also look to verify if you actually did work for the Old Council.
Saitou: I'm not worried about that. They'll only find a man with a clean record; a man with clear morals. (Smirks) all my real records were classified. They're ashes along with the rest of the old council.
Lindsey: what about their other objections?
Saitou: We can always tell them to stuff their objections. After all, it's not like we're permanent part of the Council's set-up. We scratch their backs, they scratch ours.
Lindsey: Good thing we didn't reveal the scope of our inside knowledge. It would be kinda hard to explain how I can have a relationship with someone working for the senior partners.
Saitou (eyebrows raised): A relationship? Is that what they're calling it nowadays?
Lindsey (smirking): I think so. You should keep up to date Old man.
Saitou (smiles): getting back to the topic. What will you do?
Lindsey: I dunno. One thing's for sure. I am not letting anyone mess our plans. Not the Watcher's Council, Not Angel & not the senior partners.
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Exterior, Forest, Unknown Location
The Forest was still at the night. Nothing moved or stirred. It was the picture of tranquility & peace. The dreamlike state of tranquility was broken by the sounds of running footsteps. Human-like shadows could be seen running in & out of trees, all heading in one direction. The lead shadow was moving the fastest. It seemed to be nothing but a blur, so quick was its movement. Suddenly it came to a stop just before a clearing. Several other shadows appeared beside it. They were wearing cloaks & their faces were covered. The lead shadow moved slightly so that part of its face could be seen by the others. It was a man's face, the most prominent feature being the cold, hauntingly dead eyes. Eyes, which came to life with a sudden malice as they looked in front of him.
The Wooden hut in the middle of the clearing was the only built structure for miles around. The light from the full moon illuminated it & gave it an eerie effect. Only a single light could be seen inside the hut, on the upper floor. A jeep and a van were parked outside the hut. A meeting seemed to be in progress. Suddenly the light at the top went out & the door of the hut opened & several men came out, carrying various types of weapons.
The leader of the shadows sneered & then moved forward with tremendous speed. As soon as he moved, the others followed suit, charging the people standing in front of the hut. The leader drew a samurai sword from a sheath by his side & roaring, attacked. The people standing in front reacted in kind though & charged him, wielding Axes. The leader's eyes glinted as he reached them first & slashed them before they could react. Their fallen corpses were soon trampled by the other attackers. One of the people, who had come out of the hut, growled & ripped his shirt off. With an inhuman howl, he changed in a werewolf & jumped one of the attackers, biting his head off. Others soon joined him as they transformed & attacked. Corpse after corpse hit the ground as the struggle between the cloaked attackers & the others became furious.
Several other people appeared out of the hut, carrying firearms. They took positions to the side of the hut & opened fire at the attackers who were finishing off the twitching corpses. The attackers soon realized this threat & a group of them dispersed & attacked from various points at them.
Inside the hut, there was chaos as a dozen people searched for their weapons. Some of them broke the windows & began firing. A man who had appeared to have been sleeping in a sitting position with a katana propped against his shoulder, suddenly raised his head. It was the same red-haired man who had killed Gentatsu read chapter # 7. His eyes narrowed as he sensed something, and then he calmly stood up & moved towards the door.
Outside, a couple of attackers had gained access to the door & were going to kick it open when it opened from within & the red-haired man called Battousai stepped out. The two attackers attacked as one, but Battousai merely leant back allowing one of them to reach him first. With a swift move, he raised his sheathed sword & blocked the attacker's sword while simultaneously drawing his own blade from the sheath & slashing the attacker with it. The second attacker, tried to stab Battousai. Battousai countered by raising his sheath so that the attacker's sword went in it. He then used his own katana to slice the man's head off.
The leader of the attackers stepped forward & looked challengingly at Battousai. Their eyes met & then they attacked each other. Both of them tried various stabs & slashing techniques but found their opponent equal to the task. Both broke off & tried to find a flaw in the others technique.
Battousai: Who're you?
Leader: you know who we are.
Battousai: Why does one such as you follow the vision of a madman?
Leader: You may be able to fool yourself but I am no fool. I recognize myself. You're a fool to run away from it.
Battousai: I am the fool?
Leader (sneering): The old you would've cut me up by now. Now you can barely hold me back. Pathetic!
With that he attacked Battousai with a furious slash. Battousai crouched back to avoid the slash & then getting under the sword's movement, stabbed upward to pierce the leader's throat. A gush of blood came out as the leader's eyes showed shock.
Leader (gasping): maybe you're not as hopeless as you seem. See you in hell.
With that he collapsed on the ground. Battousai gazed at his lifeless corpse & then looked back towards the battlefield. Most of the attackers, seeing their leader had fallen, had retreated. The others were lying on the ground, suffering the last moments of death.
Voice: Kenshin.
Battousai looked towards a couple of men walking towards him. His posture relaxed as he flicked/cleaned his sword & sheathed it.
Battousai / Kenshin: Yeah? Sano, Riley you ok?
One of the men reached Kenshin and slapped him on the back. The man had Shaggy brunette hair, had a muscular body & was wearing a white shirt (now spotted with blood) & grey jeans. He is Sano. The other man is Riley Finn.
Sano: heh… you know me. Always enjoy a good fight. I saw you. Wicked moves!
Riley: I wonder how they found us. (Smiling) Sano's right though, Nice moves. (pause) Where's Sam?
Kenshin: Inside. She & the others took positions inside.
A growl is heard behind them. The 3 of them turn back to see a Werewolf changing back into a man. The man raises his head & is revealed to be OZ.
Oz: umm….clothes?
The others smile as Sano strips a fallen attacker of his pants & throws them to Oz.
Oz: so, who were they?
Riley: Guess.
Kenshin: Shishio's followers.
Riley: We better regroup & leave this place.
Kenshin (nodding): yeah. Good idea. You go roundup your men. Sano you go roundup the others.
Riley & Sano nod & move away.
Oz (quietly): I think its time we brought in reinforcements.
Kenshin: yeah.
Oz: LA?
Kenshin: I'm thinking we split up.
Oz: reason?
Kenshin: safety.
OZ (nodding): makes sense. Who goes with whom?
Kenshin: Myself and Sano, along with a few soldiers are gonna head to LA.
Oz: so, me & Riley heading to merry old England?
Kenshin (smiling): seems like it yeah.
Oz: Cool. Always wanted to see the land of tweed up close & personal.
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Angel's office, Hyperion
Fred: So what do we do?
Gunn: I say you leave me with him for some time. I guarantee you he'll talk.
Angel: no. We don't use that method with the innocent.
Riana (incredulous): innocent? Are you blind or just plain nuts?
Gunn: You're saying that psycho's an innocent? I've seen innocents. They don't usually go murdering people in cold blood.
Angel: even when Conner hated me, he never did anything like this. He did some pretty awful things (glances at Cordelia) but nothing like this.
Gunn: So? What about the time he went to blow everyone up at that mall?
Angel: that was different. & you know it.
Gunn: that's just like you.
Angel: meaning?
Gunn: You always see your own first. Doesn't matter if it's some homicidal maniac, you give them priority; over your friends.
Angel: is this about what I did to save Conner? Coz I think I made myself pretty clear on that & we agreed…
Spike: You mean you Agreed.
Gunn: No man. I get why you did it. (off Angel's surprised look) yeah. I do. What I don't get is why'd you have to brainwash us?
Angel: Look I'm sorry about that. I had to make a decision then & there. Your feelings or his life. What should I have chosen?
Wes: Angel's right. (Off everyone's looks). I meant at not subjecting Conner to interrogation. I'm not defending either Angel or Conner. Conner's being manipulated by someone. Hurting him would result in further alienating him.
Cordy: Then what do we do?
Lilah: Well…we could take him to our labs…
Wes: NO!
Gunn: Never.
Angel: Over my Ashes.
Fred: then What? Maybe Lorne can read him?
Lorne: No can do Sugar-plum. Looks like Angel-cakes spell did more than re-adjust his memories. I can only read what he wants me to read. I can ask one of my psychic friends to try, but I doubt they'd have much success.
Spike: there's always another way.
Lorne: let's hear it.
Angel: yeah let's hear you grand idea, Spike.
Spike (shooting Angel a glare): Well…I stayed with Drusilla for more than a hundred years. When you live with somebody for that long, you pick up things.
Cordelia: like rambling like a loony?
Spike: No. Like Hypnosis. (Beat) You know it wouldn't kill you to drop your bloody snotty attitude.
Wes: Of Course. (Off Cordelia's look) I meant the hypnosis part.
Spike: See. I reckon if I make him believe that he's talking to himself or he's having a dream, I may get him to spill.
Angel: That's….that's actually a good idea.
Fred: But wouldn't he know what we're trying to do & do what Lorne said, y'know block his mind?
Spike: Well luv, I reckon the lad's about the right age for his first good drink. (To Angel) What d'ya think (beat) mate?
Angel: It could work.
Lorne: So are we doing it now? Coz hate to burst your bubble but we haven't made an appearance at the office. Eve will be snooping around all our private stuff.
Angel: no. Let's do it tonight.
Cordelia: what do we do with him till then?
Wes: someone must stay here & guard him.
Spike: I'll do it. It'll give me a time to study him; see what makes him tick.
Riana: I'll stay.
Angel: ok. The rest of us will return to the office & act as normal as possible.
Lilah: what about me?
Angel: We can't let you go….now that you know of this. You're coming with us.
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End Notes: Phew….finally, an update after nearly a year. Yay me! Thanx to all those who've reviewed thus far. I luv you all! You guys make my day. I'm hoping you guys will give my fic the same response that people gave to the new star-wars film.
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