The Last Slayer
BY Inquisitive One
Part 6
**** Next Morning ****
Angel is awakened by a childish voice calling his name. Groaning the vampire opens his eyes to find Briena rubbing her eyes "Morning
sweetheart" he greets glancing at the clock he sees its 8 AM.
"Where are we?" she asks yawning
Angel sits up "Home" he answers standing "Come on I'll show you around" he says
Briena holds her arms up to him "Carry me" she demands
Angel smiles picking her up. "OK this is your room. You can decorate it anyway you want."
"Anyway?"
"Yep" he agrees
Briena looks at him round eyed "Will you help me?" she asks
"Sure I'd be glad too. We can have ourselves a party"
Briena smiles "Good" she kisses him on the cheek
Angel smiles back carrying her into the next room "This is the living area." the heads into the room next to Briena's "This is my room and there's
the bathroom" he points towards a door.
"What's that" she asks pointing to a weapon in the corner
"Its a broadsword." Angel answers sitting on his bed with Briena on his lap he says "Briena there is a few very inportant rules that you must
never ever break. You have to promise me you won't break them"
"What are they?" she asks
"Never ever touch any of the weapons anywhere in the apartment or in the office without permission or supervision."
"I promise." she says solemly
"Next you have to obey Cordelia and Doyle when I'm not around"
"OK."
"Good" Angel smiles "We'll discuss some more rules later on"
Briena nods "Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm hungry" she says
Angel grins and kissing her nose he stands "Lets get you fed" he says carrying her into the kitchen he puts her down at the table. Going to the
fridge he finds it empty "Cordy do you ever shop for food" he mutters going to the cabinets he finds them all lacking anything to eat. As he is
searching he hears Cordelia coming down the elevator.
"I bring food" Cordelia calls exiting the elevator
"Cordy didn't you go grocery shopping?" Angel calls
"Nope" she retorts entering the kitchen "But I brought donuts and your breakfast" she places the grocery bags on the counter
"Cordy can you go grocery shopping this morning?" Angel requests "Briena needs to eat you know" He feels a little arm wrap around his leg.
Looking down he finds Briena hugging his leg her thumb in her mouth watching Cordelia shyly. Touching the child's head he chuckles "I know
she's a little loud but she's our friend"
"I am not loud" Cordelia retorts turning to see Briena holding on to Angel's leg watching her shyly. "Hi Briena I'm Cordelia"
Briena watches the newcomer shyly before removing her thumb from her mouth and says quietly "Hi"
"So Briena are you hungry?" Cordelia asks
"Uh huh" the small dark head nods
"Do you like donuts?" questions Cordelia watching as the little shoulders shrug. "You don't know" she says shocked. "What did you never eat
donuts?"
"Cordy she's only a few years old" Angel reminds picking Briena up he sits down with her in his lap.
Briena tugs on his shirt then holds up her hand "I'm this many" she whispers solemnly
Angel looks at the four fingers "Yep sweetie I know your four." he is rewarded with a smile.
"Wow your 4?" Cordy says amazed "Well then its time for you to eat a donut" she hands a donut to Briena. Cordelia and Angel watch as
Briena takes a bite. "So what do you think?" Cordelia asks
Briena smiles at her "I like donuts"
"That's good" Cordelia laughs charmed by the little girl
"Just remember though you aren't always going to have donuts for breakfast" Angel laughs
"Why?" Briena demands as she takes another bite
Cordelia rolls her eyes "Oh boy I think we have the little girl version of Xander on our hands."
"Great" Angel groans. "Briena its not healthy for little kids to eat donuts everyday."
"Angel's right. You'll get cavities and such" Cordelia supplies.
"Oh" Briena says softly finishing off the donut. Laying her head on Angel's chest she listens as the two begin to talk and as Angel's heart
begins to beat under her ear.
"Morning" Doyle greets exiting the elevator "Good to see you again midget"
"Hi Doyle" Briena smiles at the Irishman
"So what's the plan for today?" Doyle asks grins at Briena
"Grocery shopping and clothes shopping" Cordelia answers
"Why don't you and Doyle go grocery shopping right now" Angel suggests
"Why us?" demands Cordelia
"Between the two of you, you should be able to figure out what is healthy for a four year old to eat. I'll help Briena get cleaned up so you can
take her shopping for clothes." Angel says standing with Briena in his arms
"What should we get?" asks Doyle
"What ever kids like to eat" Angel answers "And whatever else you can find at the grocery store that kids need" he calls from his room
"We'll be back in a while" Cordelia calls grabbing her purse the two head to the elevator.
Angel puts Briena down on the bathroom floor "Do you need to go?" At Briena's nod he asks "Can you go by yourself?" he asks
Briena nods "I can go by myself" she says her voice proud
Angel smiles "OK. I'm going to go get you some clothes from your bag and a towel. Call me if you need help"
Briena nods then points to the door "Go" she orders
Angel laughs "OK call when your done" he says leaving the bathroom he closes the door part way behind him. He goes into Briena's room and
opens her backpack taking out some clean clothes. Going back into his room he hears the toilet flush as he takes a towel from the closet.
"I'm done" he hears Briena call. Entering the bathroom he sees her standing infront of the sink. "Up" she demands
"OK" Angel says putting the clothes and towel down he lifts her up and turns on the water, he watches as Briena washes her hands. "Done?"
he asks
"Uh huh" she nods "Down" Angel puts her down
"Now its time for a bath" he says "So you can go with Cordelia to get some clothes and maybe some toys." Angel leans over to turn on the
water to fill the tub. Turning to Briena he finds her looking around the bathroom opening drawers. He hears the phone ring "I'll be back in a
minute" he runs to grab the phone picking it up he asks "Hello?"
"Angel its Kate" a woman says
"Hi Kate what can I do for you?" he asks walking to the bedroom he watches Briena as she explores
"I was wondering if I could stop by your office this afternoon? I need your help on a case"
"Uh sure. Stop by anytime" Angel answers
"It won't be until around 1 or so"
"That's fine" Angel says
"OK see you then" Kate says hanging up
Angel returns to the bathroom turning off the running water he says "OK Briena time for your bath" he checks the water then frowns "Is this
too hot?" he asks her
Briena puts her finger in the water then shakes her head "Nope"
"Arms up" he orders. Angel quickly takes off her clothes then lifts her into the tub. The phone rings again "I've got to grab this. Since your a
big girl I'll let you do this by yourself. Call me if you need help. I'll be in the bedroom" Angel says and Briena's nod he picks up the phone
"Hello?"
"Its me" says Buffy
"Hi what's up?" Angel asks sitting on the edge of his bed
"Just checking to see how things are going" Buffy tells him
"Fine. She's taking a bath." Angel tells her
"Angel she's 4 she shouldn't be in the bathtub without someone watching her" Buffy says panicked
"Buffy calm down." Angel soothes "I can see her from here, she's fine."
"Sorry" she apologizes
"Its OK. Your just reacting normal. Besides I can see her and hear her from here"
"I know. God I'm sounding like my mom" she groans
"Buffy you are one now"
"I know its just weird to feel" she laughs. "So what's the plan for today?"
"Cordelia and Doyle are grocery shopping right now. When Cordy gets back she's going to take Briena shopping for clothes and some toys."
"Good. But make sure she doesn't go all Gucci on Briena. You know Cordy she will buy just for the name."
"I know."
"So how'd last night go?" Buffy asks
"She had a bad dream. I ended up sleeping in her room."
"What was the dream?"
"She didn't want to talk about it." Angel answers
"Angel" Briena calls
"Hold on a sec" Angel says "Yes Briena?"
"Need help" she answers
"OK" Angel says lowering his voice he says to Buffy "So what's your plan for today?" he asks
"Classes and patrol. Same old same old"
Angel enters the bathroom "Yes?" he asks
"Need help washing my hair" Briena says
"Sure." Angel crouches beside the tub cradling the phone with his shoulder he reaches for the shampoo. "Have you had a class today?" he
asks
"Yep Psych."
"What did you talk about in class?" Angel asks as lathers the shampoo in Briena's hair.
"The subconcious" Buffy sighs "It was boring"
Angel chuckles "Buffy you've learned enough about the subconcious over the years." he then turns on the faucet and asks Briena "Ready to
rinse?"
"Yep" she says closing her eyes tightly she leans her head under the running water as Angel runs his fingers through her hair rinsing out the
shampoo.
"Done" Angel says turning off the water
Briena opens her eyes then rubs them "Ouch" she says
"What's wrong?" Angel asks
"She probably has shampoo in her eyes." Buffy tells him
"What do I do for that?" Angel asks
"Just rinse the shampoo from her face and eyes. She'll be fine"
"Thanks" Angel says turning on the water again he says "Lean back and close your eyes" and Briena does. After a moment he turns off the
water "Better?" he asks
Briena opens her eyes carefully and blinks "Uh huh" she nods
"Good. Thanks Buffy" he says into the phone
"No prob. It happened to me all the time when I was little. Just have Cordelia pick up some tearfree shampoo for kids. That way no more
worries"
"Will do" Angel says
"Done?" Briena asks
"Yep your turning into a prune" Angel chuckles pulling up the stop. "Hold on a sec Buffy" he says putting the phone down he grabs a towel
quickly drying Briena's hair he wraps the towel around her lifting her from the tub. "Want to talk to Buffy?" he asks
"Yes" Briena shrieks
Angel picks up the phone "She wants to talk to you" he says
"Sure" Buffy says happily
Angel hands the phone to Briena "Hi" she says happily
"Hi sweetie are you having fun?" Buffy asks laughing at the greeting
"Uh huh. Guess what?"
"What?"
"I got to have a donut for breakfast" Briena tells Buffy "I like donuts"
"So do I" Buffy laughs
"But Angel said I can't have them everyday" she sighs regretfully
"Well sweetie Angel is right. Little kids need to eat healthy things. Besides if you ate them everyday you'd get sick of them. So what else is
going on?"
"Angel said I get to dec..." she frowns at Angel
"Decorate" Angel supplies with a laugh
"Decorate my new room. And he's gonna help"
"Oh yeah. And what are you going to do?" Buffy asks her heart feeling sad that she won't be there
"I dunno." she then asks softly "Will you come and help us?"
"I'd love too." Buffy says wiping away a stray tear
"Goody" Briena says happily
"Well sweetie I got to get going can I talk to Angel again?"
"Sure" Briena says handing the phone to Angel "Wants to talk to you"
Angel takes the phone "Hey"
"I've got to get going Riley will be here in a few minutes." Buffy says regretfully
"OK. If you can come and help decorate her room we're going to start this weekend."
"I'll be there. I might have to drag Spike along cuz Xander works this weekend and Giles' car won't make it to LA."
"Let me know when you'll be here."
"I will. Give her a kiss for me" Buffy says
"I will. Say hi to everyone for me" Angel says
"Sure Bye" Buffy whispers
"Bye" Angel says hanging up. He sits on the toilet and smiles at Briena then leans forward kissing her forehead "From Buffy" he says then
kissing her forehead again "From me" then he laughs "Lets get you dressed sweetheart" He rubs her down with the towel and then asks "Can
you get dressed yourself?"
Briena nods "Yes but I don't know how to tie my shoes"
Angel smiles "That's OK. I'll help you. Why don't you get dressed. I'll be in the kitchen cleaning up." At Briena's nod he leaves the bathroom.
Ten minutes later Briena enters the kitchen her shoes and socks in hand "All dressed" she announces
Angel turns around and grins "Come here" he says crouching. Briena walks over to the vampire. "Your shirts on backwards sweetheart" he
says
Briena frowns and says "Nu uh"
Angel nods "Fraid so." he reaches into the collar of the shirt pulling out a tag "See this goes in the back" he explains "Now take your arms out
of the sleeves" he instructs as Briena does he turns the shirt around so the tag is in the back. "Arms back in" he says "Now that's better.
Remember tags go in the back not the front." Briena nods. Seeing the shoes and socks on the floor Angel asks "Need help getting those on?"
"Yep"
Angel places her on a chair reaching for her socks "Foot" he asks Briena. Briena holds out her foot and Angel puts the sock on. "Next" he says
then puts the sock on the other foot. "There socks are done" he smiles. "Now time for shoes" He puts the shoes on the table then stands
picking Briena up he sits back down with her on his lap. Reaching for a shoe he hands it to her "Now which foot does that go on?" he asks
Briena looks at the shoe and then her foot. Hesitantly she points to her right foot "That one?" she asks
Angel holds up her foot "Does it look like it does?" he asks
Briena examines the shoe and then her foot. Nodding she puts the shoe on her right foot. "Yeah" she laughs
"Good" Angel says handing her the next shoe this time helping her pull it on. "Do you know how to tie your shoes?" he asks
Briena shakes her head "No"
Angel nods "Then I'll show you. First you tie them like this." he ties the two laces "Pull them tight. The you make a loop like this" he loops one
"Then you take this other lace and go around the loop" he shows her the next step "Then pull through here" he says tying the lace. "You try"
he says.
"OK" she sighs giving it a try she frowns as she works. After a few minutes she cries "Its too hard" she pouts
Angel kisses her head and then ties the shoe lace for her. "Practice makes perfect" he says standing her on the floor. "We'll keep working on it
until you get it" he promises as she nods.
Half an hour later Doyle and Cordelia enter through the downstairs door carrying the bags. "Here" Doyle says putting a bag on the counter. "I'll
go get the other bags"
"Thanks Cordy" Angel says entering the kitchen with Briena right behind
"Yeah sure" Cordelia says turning around she groans at the sight of Briena's hair "Angel you could have run a comb through her hair!"
He looks down to see that Briena's hair is tangled "Oh didn't think about it" he says sheepishly
Rolling her eyes Cordelia crouching before Briena "Briena why don't we go get those tangles out of your hair huh?" she asks
"OK" Briena shrugs
Cordelia takes her hand leading her into the bathroom "Angel finish putting the food away" she calls shutting the bathroom door behind them
Ten minutes later the bathroom door opens and Cordelia brings Briena into the kitchen. The vampire and the half demon are still putting the
groceries away. "Tada" she announces
Angel and Doyle turn around to find Briena standing there her hair in two braids. "Looking good" Angel grins
Doyle nods "You look adorable" he compliments
"Thank you" Briena smiles
"OK Angel we are off to go shopping" Cordelia announces picking up her purse
"When will you be back?" he asks
"Mid afternoon" she answers
Angel nods "Call if your gonna be any later"
"Right Boss" Cordelia replies
"Bye Angel" Briena hugging his legs
"Bye see you later" he says watching as Briena follows Cordelia to the door
Once the two are gone Doyle turns to Angel with a faint grin he observes "You've gone ta father mode rather quickly"
Angel shrugs "She makes it easy"
"Aye I'm sure she does" Doyle smiles
"Lets just go get to work" Angel laughs heading to the elevator the two head up to the office
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com