Salvation of the Fallen

Written By: Ashen Ravenwing

Intermission

Angel hung up the phone and rested his elbows on his desk, his chin resting on his clasped hands. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't wrap his mind around the image of Spike crying. Angel closed his eyes, his brow furrowing at the emotions of guilt that accompanied that image. He really had let Spike down in a lot of ways…Just as Spike had let him down too…but… He'd never made the blonde cry before. At least… not to his knowledge. And why was Spike crying in the first place? It wasn't like him to get so emotional like that… even when it concerned Drusilla. Spikes' best emotion was and always had been anger…Then again… Although Spike had the temperament of a rattlesnake, his heart was as big as a giants'… Maybe this last argument had just been too much for him?

Groaning in mild frustration, Angel turned to his computer, typing up a letter to his associates. If Spike was going somewhere, Angel wanted to know where he was from then on. He'd promised Drusilla to look after the younger man… And he'd promised himself as well. Hopefully Gunn and Cordy would get the message in time to track the blonde's movements.

There was a knock on the door as he was typing and Angel glanced to the side only to see Wesley in the doorway.

"Who was that Angel? New client maybe?"

"More like an old one… seeking solace."

Wes blinked curiously, tilting his head to the side. He ran a hand through his short mousy brown hair and shrugged, adjusting his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

"Alright then… Umm…, I was wondering how that other case was coming… Any luck on finding our mysterious sewer friend?"

"No, unfortunately not. I've been a bit preoccupied… Sorry Wes."

Angel knew that the Watcher was referring to some sort of demon who'd been lurking in the LA underground and pulling down unsuspecting civilians to 'keep it company' as it were. The creature, whatever it was, was becoming a nuisance. Angel knew it was a top priority, but his mind had been too focused on Spike the last week that he hadn't had the chance to give his work any attention.

"I'll look into it right away…Just… give me till tomorrow to get all this other stuff in order. I swear I'll be back on track by tomorrow night. I'm sorry about all this Wes…"

"Calm down Angel… It's ok. Take your time. You look a bit busted as it is 'boss'…Maybe you should take the rest of the night off?"

"Uh… sounds good Wes… I just might do that as soon as I get all…this… together."

Angel threw his hands up in frustration at the mounds of paperwork and case files.

Wesley laughed sympathetically and nodded in understanding. He moved aside as Winifred peeked her head in the doorway.

"Uh, hate to interrupt you two… but… A guest is here to see you Angel. Do you have some spare time?"

A cheerful, knowing smile played on her lips.

"Ugh, God, does it ever end!"

Angel groaned in aggravation, gripping his hair with both hands.

"Oh, nice pops… That how you greet all your visitors… or am I just special?"

Angel looked up in surprise at the young man standing in the doorway, his jaw dropping slightly. The younger brunette smiled at the older vampire, cocking a smug eyebrow that rang all too familiar of Spike. The older man continued to stare in disbelief.

"…Connor…"

"Yeh, it's good to be home dad… Miss me?"

Angel cast an amazed look at his co-workers and at seeing their grins, looked back at his son. He walked towards him slowly at first, not sure if the boy would move away. Yet, at seeing the softness in his child's eyes and his body relaxed at his approach, Angel closed the gap and wrapped his son into a tender hug. Connor's smile deepened slightly as he lifted a hand to rest on his fathers back in response. Angel felt more elated than he had in the last few months.

"Yeh… of course I did… Welcome home Connor."