Summary: In August, nine months after the events of 'I Will Remember You', Angel is given, by the Powers, the baby girl supposed to be born from that day.

Disclaimer: The characters relate to both 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel – The Series' belong to Joss Whedon (a.k.a. God/Primer Evil, depending on the episode), FOX, the WB, Mutant Enemy and Kuzui Inc. The baby is mine.

Disclaimer: My profile at The version in Portuguese will be available at Nanna O's profile at the same site and at MIPS.

Spoilers: To the whole B/A story, from 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' to the second crossover, 'Sanctuary'/'The Yoko Factor'.

The Daughter

Chapter I – Daddy's Girl

Six Years Later…

The little girl climbed down from his bed and opened the door noiselessly. It was way over three a.m., and aunt Cordy had sent her to bed a good time ago. Giggling silently, knowing daddy would arrive anytime soon, she slipped past aunt Cordy and uncle Wes' bedrooms and into daddy's place. It was dark, but she could move into there if she were blind. She was used to go to his bedroom since she could stand up and walk.

She giggled as she remembered a day when aunt Cordy told her she had found an eight-month-old baby Katharine crawling down the corridor to daddy's rooms…

She heard the loud noise of metal being dropped on the floor upstairs and raced to the bed, plopping into it comfortably. A little later, daddy walked in, a little smirk curving his lips.

"Still awake, baby girl?" He asked softly. "Didn't aunt Cordy send you to bed the time I told her to?"

"She did, daddy", the miraculous child said with a giggle. "But I wanted to wait for you awake".

Angel sighed, knowing nothing would stop his strong-willed daughter. He sighed, remembering every day of the last six years, every day since he had gotten her from the Oracles.

Katharine Vida Summers-O'Connell, Kathy, Katie, Kat or Kitty to her family and baby girl to her father, looked up at him with eyes and grin which were just like her mother's. Angel's heart nearly broke at the remembrance of Buffy. She never knew they had a daughter. He didn't know how to tell her. After all, she couldn't even remember the day they had conceived her, how could she believe she was a mother?

Being raised with her mommy away did not seem to bother Katherine, though. She was an energetic, bright, caring, loving girl, who would feel happy if those loved ones were happy. She was still the only kid, the ruler of 'Angel's Investigations'.

Oh, yes, Cordelia and Wesley had finally given in to the attraction that joined them and gotten married, but they still didn't feel ready to have a kid of their own. So they channeled all their parental love to their goddaughter.

The same applied to Faith and Gunn. Faith had been released in parole when Katherine was three and had fallen in love with the girl instantly. The brunette slayer never went back to the Hell mouth, not even when Buffy died. As she put it, delicately, 'Katie-kid needs someone to tell her stories about B. And who's better than me?'

Angel never mentioned Buffy to Katharine. Never. It was too painful, to even think of Buffy. So, when Katharine reached the age to start asking about her mother, Cordelia and Faith took over. They told the little girl about the deep love her parents shared, about the ups and downs, joys and regrets of their relationship.

Even at the age of six, Katharine was a mature kid. She had learnt never to mention mommy around her dad, not wanting to see the pain flashing in his more expressive face. But, one day, when she was five, he gave in and told her the tale of Buffy and Angel. A very sensitive kid, with a soft spot for romance, Katharine had bravely tried not to cry, but failed.

Angel's tears ran down his cheeks as he told his daughter their love-story, and Katharine held tightly to him, tears streaming down her pink, soft face.

All in all, Katharine was a happy girl. She had a father who would give the sun to her, had she asked, and an uncommon family that gave her all the love she could need.

But, of course, the Powers had to intervene on the course of things. For them, Katharine deserved to have a mother and, every once in a while, Angel had a fight with the Oracles. He agreed that Katharine should have her mother, but didn't know how to tell Buffy. Besides, the blonde had traveled with her sister to Europe and every once in a while Angel got a postcard, but nothing more. How could Angel tell her they had a baby, when their relationship was so stranded?

Besides, he feared the slayer would hate him forever for keeping Kathy a secret for so long. And he also feared she would try to take their little girl away from him. A protective father, being torn away from his only, adored daughter was not something Angel planned on happening anytime soon.

As he showered, he heard Katharine humming an old tune he used to sing to her when a baby. He smiled and quickly changed, finding his daughter comfortably holding a box with the Gaelic words for 'Forever Love' and the Claddagh symbol on its lid. It had been the last gift from Buffy the last Valentine's Day they had spent as a couple.

"Why are you holding this, baby-girl?" Angel said carefully as he sat next to her. Katharine jumped to his lap, and took the place Angel liked to call Buffy's spot, as his chin rested over her silky black locks.

"I dreamt of mommy", she whispered. Angel kissed her head.

"Good dreams? Or bad dreams?"

"I don't know. Bad, I guess. I woke up crying".

"Honey, it's okay".

"Mommy tried to take me away. You were nowhere".

Angel made his daughter look at him.

"It'll never happen, Katharine. You and I will never be torn apart, do you hear me?"

"It'll happen someday, daddy", Katharine said softly, maturely. "You're a vamp and I'm not. One day I'll die, you won't".

"That's not true, baby-girl. Don't forget the prophecy", he felt her little body relaxing into his arms. "One day, you'll take me out for a picnic and a day on the beach. We'll play on the sand. I'll get to pick you up at school".

Her respiration became even, calm. Angel felt tears stinging at his eyes.

"One day, we'll be a family, you, me and mommy".


Cordelia walked in Katharine's princess-like bedroom and, unsurprisingly, the little girl was nowhere to be seen. Sighing, she muttered why they bothered to put up together a room for Angel's kid, when it was obvious that she'd rather share chambers with him.

She quietly walked in her boss and best friend's bedroom and felt her breath leaving her body. Angel and Katharine were sleeping, he lying on his back and his daughter comfortably resting on top of him. The brunette had never seen Angel asleep and was surprised by the peace on his face. Once again she thanked the Powers by giving Kathy to Angel.

She stealthily tiptoed around the bed and gently shook Katharine's shoulder.

"Kitty-kid, you must wake up", she whispered. Angel grunted, but didn't move. Katharine lazily opened one eye.

"Hey, auntie Cordy", she said softly and sat up. "I'm late?"

"No, baby. Chill. But you must get up soon. And please don't come over your daddy's chambers anymore, will you?"

"Let her", Angel said opening an eye. "She keeps me company, don't you, baby-girl?"

Katharine nodded eagerly.

"Katharine, go ask aunt Faith to help you get ready. Daddy and I need to talk".

"You'll yell at him", Katharine stated. "Mommy likes to yell at daddy too".

Angel and Cordelia froze.

"Why are you saying that, honey?" Angel asked carefully. Katharine had never watched a fight between him and Buffy, so how could she know Buffy liked to yell at him?

"Dreamt it", she said distractedly. "You and mommy yelling at each other, because of me, I guess".

She stretched up to kiss Angel's cheek and left. Her father stared at his friend, dumbfounded.

"How is it possible? I haven't seen Buffy in years, so we never yelled at each other, not in presence of Katie".

"Have no idea", Cordelia said as perplexed as him. "Anyway, Angel, we must stop this habit of Katharine of coming here. She's exhausted every morning".

"Cordy…" He made her sit. "Please let her do as she wants. I know she's always tired, but she likes it. And knowing she's waiting for me when I come home makes me more alert".

"She'll always be here, Angel. Only, she's at school now. She needs her sleep. When she's in vacation, she does it if it pleases her, but not during term. Please".

"Fine, Cordelia. Do it your way. But I won't yell at my baby girl if she keeps coming to me".

"I'm not asking you to do so. I just want… her best, Angel. She's like my daughter, and you know that. I've helped you taking care of her since you first brought her home, that fateful day".

"I know", he sighed. "Now, why don't you go join baby-girl and Faith? You know Faith is more likely to choose an outfit that you'll hate".

"You're right!" Cordelia slapped her own cheek. "I left Katharine alone with Faith!"

With that she scurried out of the room. Angel laughed and, half an hour later, his baby girl walked in the bedroom.

"Daddy, aunt Kate is about to take me", she said softly. Angel nodded and took his daughter in his arms.

"Please behave, Katharine", he said mockingly stern. The little girl batted her eyelashes, looking innocent – look broken by the playful grin on her face.

"Me? I always behave, daddy", she said, and then giggled. Angel sighed and shook his head, a smile curving his lips.

"I'm talking seriously here, Katharine. Your classmates don't need to know you have superpowers and a supernatural daddy".

The grin and the light air around Katharine disappeared and she nodded in all seriousness. Angel smiled.

"Good. Now, go", Angel kneeled to put Katharine down, but she tugged at his hand. "What?"

"Take me upstairs?" She said with an adorable smile. Angel smiled, took her back into his arms and walked upstairs. Katharine started to babble about her school days.


Kate looked more mature after giving birth to her daughter, Deanna Alicia. Deanna and Katharine were the same age, Angel's daughter being six months older. Deanna had blonde hair and blue eyes and was a shy, quiet little girl, a deep contrast to Katharine, who was full of energy, extroverted, just like her mother.

The two little girls started to babble about their school, and Kate and Angel sat down for a cup of coffee, for Kate, and a mug of blood for Angel.

"So, how are you going, Kate?" Angel asked concerned. Kate had just become a widow and had had a hard time adjusting to this new reality. She looked down at her blonde girl.

"Fine. Deanna… Kinda shook me off my self-misery. It's good to have her".

"I know the feeling", Angel said, the words bringing with them memories of a time when he was young and innocent.

"Yes, you do", Kate whispered. Angel had told her everything about Katharine and since then they were good friends, nothing more. If anything, sometimes Kate played mother for Angel's daughter, when necessary.

A bad feeling filled Angel.

"Kate, promise me something".

"What?" She asked with curious eyes.

"Promise me that, if anything happens to me, you'll look after Katharine".

Kate shuddered.

"Don't say that, Angel. Nothing will happen".

"Just promise me, Kate", he insisted. Kate sighed.

"What about her mom?"

"She doesn't know about Katharine, I told you. I know Faith, Cordelia, Wesley and Gunn will take care of her, but you're family for her as well. Please, promise me".

"Right back at you, then. When I'm gone, look after Deanna".

"Sure", Angel glanced at the clock. "Now, off with you. Otherwise the two princesses will be late".

Deanna giggled and Katharine laughed. They ran to Angel, each one hugging one of his legs.

"Bye, uncle Angel", Deanna said.

"Bye, daddy!" Katharine exclaimed, and then the woman and the two girls left. Cordelia sat across Angel.

"You freaked Kate out with that question", she stated. He shrugged.

"It can happen. And I don't want Buffy to take Katharine away. You know she'd do that if she knew I was gone and we have a daughter".

Cordelia nodded.

"She would. But then, nothing will happen with you, Angel".

She then left to the kitchen.

"Won't it?" He whispered.


Katharine and Deanna were playing with their dolls when, suddenly, the brunette felt a pang in her heart and the image of her adored daddy flashed in her mind.

"Papa!" She cried, starting to cry. Deanna looked up, worriedly, and ran to her best friend.

"K, what's wrong?" Kate's daughter asked. The teacher approached the two girls, closely followed by the other kids.

"Deanna, Katharine, what happened?" She asked. Sobbing uncontrollably on Deanna's shoulder, Katharine didn't answer.

"I don't know!" Deanna exclaimed with tears brimming in her blue eyes. "She said anything about her dad… K, what happened to uncle Angel?"

That same moment, two brunettes with swollen eyes rushed in the classroom and towards the two girls. Cordelia took her goddaughter in her arms, and Faith did the same to Deanna, who was starting to cry softly, and they left without an explanation.


In Rome, Buffy Summers was speaking toa whole classroom of Slayers when she suddenly fainted, Angel's name softly leaving her lips before she lost conscience.

Panicking, Willow ran to her friend,Gileshot in his heels.


The Hyperion Hotel was immersed in silence, when Cordelia and Faith arrived with Katharine and Deanna. Gunn and Wesley were by the window, looking glumly outside; Kate was crying her eyes out on the sofa.

Angel was nowhere to be seen.

Faith gave Deanna to Kate, who smiled gratefully at her and clutched at the little girl, hiding her tearful face in the golden locks. Deanna, who seemed lost and confused, kept asking about uncle Angel. Kate just cried, not having energy to explain that Angel was gone.

Faith and Cordelia were talking quietly between themselves.

"Someone must talk to Katie-kid", the slayer said in a whisper. Katharine was sitting on a couch, looking blankly at the wall.

"You go. I can't deal with that…"

"Okay", Faith carefully approached the little girl. "Katie, honey, why don't we go to the kitchen? I could use a cup of coffee and your company".

Katharine nodded wordlessly. Kate decided to do the same to her offspring, since apparently they'd tell Angel's kid that he no longer walked in this earth.

"C'mon, Deanna, I can use a cup of coffee as well", she sniffled. Faith and Kate placed the two girls on two stools and fixed themselves a large cup of coffee, black, sugarless.

"Daddy is gone, isn't he?" Katharine said suddenly, the first words since the cried 'papa' at the daycare. Kate and Faith startled and looked at each other. "I felt it. My papa is gone", she whispered in a tearful pout. Deanna looked in denial.

"No, K, you're wrong! Uncle Angel is not gone… Is he, mummy?"

Kate didn't answer, her eyes tightly closed. Faith turned around and nodded silently.

"I don't wanna go to live with mama", Katharine said determinedly. Faith took the stool next to B's kid and held her tightly.

"You won't. Your old man left instructions for us – Cordy, Wes, Gunn and me – to be your guardians until you're old enough to decide whether you wanna live with B or not".

"I'll never live with her", Katharine said. And Faith knew that kid was stubborn enough to never live with B.

When Buffy woke up, hours later, she was feeling cold, although the radiant sun shining outside. She was shivering. Willow touched her forehead, but Buffy wasn't feverish.

"Call Angel", the slayer demanded weakly. Willow widened her eyes in surprise, while Riley frowned in confusion.

"Buffy, you don't mention Angel since…"

"Just do it, Will. Call Angel. Check with Cordelia if he is okay".

Then, suddenly, she knew. She simply knew. A choked sob left her quivering lips, and tears started to stream down her cheeks unstoppably. Willow rushed to her side.

"Buffy, what's wrong?"

"Angel… Oh, my God, Willow, Angel…"

"What's wrong with Angel?" Willow asked frenetic.

"Angel died, Willow. My beautiful Angel is gone", Buffy exploded in tears, clutching Willow tightly.

Willow herself started to cry softly.

Gileswatched the two girls in a silent confusion.


Sixhours later, a nearly hysterical Buffy ran in the Hyperion. She found Cordelia and Wesley sitting on the floor, their backs against the wall, Wesley's arm comfortably over Cordy's shoulder and her head on his shoulder.

Buffy could also see Faith's head resting against Gunn's, on the couch whose back was to the door. A blonde woman she didn't recognize was sitting on an armchair, a little blonde girl sleeping soundly on her lap. The woman herself was dozing off occasionally.

Cordelia looked up and froze. Buffy wasn't supposed to be there, not when Katharine wasn't safely hidden. She jumped up and whispered to her husband:

"You get Katie away from here, while I distract Buffy".

He nodded and Cordelia exclaimed:

"Hey, Buff! What are you doing here?"

Faith turned her head around carefully not to disturb Katharine, whose head was resting on her lap and who was quietly staring at the ceiling.

"Where's Angel? Who killed him?"

Kate looked at the visitant and then knew she was Katharine's mother. They had the same eyes and the same attitude.

Katharine recognized that voice. She had heard that voice often, when she and daddy hid at grandpa Giles' house. She sat up, and Faith started to pray silently, her fingers tightly entwined with Gunn.

The day Angel had tried to avoid so badly had arrived, although Faith knew Cordelia was giving her best to prevent it.

A little girl stood up from the couch, probably from her place where she was lying, and jumped out of it. The girl slowly moved towards her, and Buffy repressed a scream.

The girl was a brunette version of her.

Suddenly the girl dashed towards the slayer.

"Mommy!"