Part 7 continued
**** Ten minutes later ****
Cordelia is sitting at her desk typing some notes when the office door opens. Looking up she sees Doyle and Briena enter. Hi guys. she
greets Doyle Angel is with a client he wants you to join them.
Right Doyle agrees going to the Angels office door he knocks and opens it You want to see me?
Angel nods Come in he says
Doyle enters closing the door behind him. So whats the deal?
Doyle this is Mr Tomas. He was explaining to me his problem.
So Briena did you and Doyle have fun at the park? asks Cordelia
Yep. I played on the swings. Went down the slide. Climbed the monkey bars. And guess what?
What?
Wanna see something?
Sure Cordelia answers curiously
Briena walks closer to Cordelia putting her hand in her pocket she pulls out the worm. See she holds it up
Ahhh Cordelia screams in disgust jumping out of the chair
The office door slams open and out rush Doyle and Angel. Whats wrong? asks Angel
Cordy why are you screaming? Doyle demands
Calm down Cordy Angel soothes
Cordelia takes a deep breath A worm she shudders Briena brought in a worm
They look over at Briena who is watching them innocently Hi Angel
Angel walks over to Briena kneeling infront of her Let me see your hands
Nu uh she shakes her head
Briena he growls warningly. Briena brings her hands out from behind her back her palms up. Angel sees the worm in her hand Can I have the
worm?
Briena shakes her head No my worm
Briena you cant keep the worm. Worms need dirt and plants to survive. If it stays out of the dirt for too long itll die. You dont want that do you? Angel asks
Briena shakes her head No she looks at the worm Bye Mr. Worm she says sadly handing the worm to Angel.
Doyle take the worm outside Angel says turning the worm over to the half demon
Sure Boss Doyle acknowledges going outside
No more bringing worms inside. OK? Angel says
Briena nods reluctantly OK she agrees
Ive got to finish up with this meeting. Be good for Cordy. OK? he requests
Briena nods OK
Angel kisses her forehead then stands returning to his office. Sorry bout that. Cordelia is a little highstrung.
Its fine Mr Tomas says I can understand that. My older daughter did the samething when my son put a snake in her bed
What else can you tell me about your situation? Angel asks as Doyle joins them
Im sorry Cordy Briena apologizes sheepishly
Its OK. You just surprised me
Briena lays on her stomach on the floor as she colors. She looks up as the door to Angels office opens and out walk Angel and Doyle with a
short man with reddish brown hair. She scrambles to her feet and runs over to Angel wrapping her arms around his legs she looks up at the man
talking to Angel. When their eyes meet Briena frowns then tightens her grip on Angels leg as she moves behind him.
Hello kid the strange man greets with a smile
Angel looks down at his daughter puzzled at her reaction Briena arent you going to say hi?
No she says quietly
Angel looks at Mr Tomas Shes a little shy he explains
All kids are shy. Mr Tomas chuckles
Ill keep in touch with you just leave your number with Cordelia Angel says holding out his hand Thanks for coming in Angel says leaning
down he unwraps Brienas tight grip on his leg and picks her up Cordelia well be downstairs Angel says carrying the clinging child into his
office he takes her downstairs Whats wrong little one? he asks stroking her back as he carries her to the couch and sits down. Briena look at me
Briena tightens her grip on his neck No
Did Mr Tomas scare you? Angel questions
Uh huh. Dont like him she mumbles
Hes not here anymore. You dont need to be scared. I wont let anything happen to you... ever he hugs her tight I promised Jack and Buffy that nothing would happen to you
Briena reluctantly lets go of Angels neck Never ever? she asks looking at Angel her eyes tearful and her lower lip trembling
Never ever he promises looking into the big brown eyes Ill always protect you
Briena smiles then lays her head on his chest Angel?
Yes
Why dont I have a Mommy and Daddy like everyone else?
Angel is startled by the question You have a Daddy and Mommy and they love you very much. More than anything in the world
Oh she sighs fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt I wish you and Buffy were my Mommy and Daddy.
We are baby he thinks to himself as he kisses the top of her head Thanks he chuckles when he hears Brienas stomach growl. Someones hungry
Briena nods My tummy wants food
Angel sets Briena on the floor Well lets get you fed he leads her into the kitchen as Briena sits at the table Angel goes through the cabinets What do you want to eat?
Dunno she shrugs
How bout a sandwhich
kay
Angel nods grabbing the bread from the counter. What kind of sandwhich do you want?
Peanut butter and jelly she requests
Angel makes her a sandwhich Heres your sandwhich he puts it infront of her
Too big she says
Angel nods cutting the sandwhich in half Better?
Uh huh she nods
Want anything else?
Juice please she requests
Sure Angel says taking the juice out of the refridgerator he goes to the cupboard and finds a plastic cup and pours some juice. Here you go he places the cup on the table
Thank you she mumbles as she takes a drink
Angel starts to clean up the kitchen Did you have fun at the park? he asks
Uh huh. I played on the swings and went down the slide.
Oh. Whats your favorite toy at the park? Angel asks sitting down
Umm she mumbles her mouth full Climbing up the bars
Shes a regular monkey that one Doyle says entering the kitchen She climbed all the way to the top of the monkey bars. She needed help to
get down though
Yep Im a monkey Briena says proudly
I bet Angel laughs
Im done Briena announces Can I go color?
Sure Angel says watching the child dash out of the kitchen. Standing he clears the table I take it that things went well at the park
Doyle shifts nervously Well kinda
Angel sees the look on Doyles face. What do you mean kinda?
Doyle looks into his mug then at Angel At the park I met this lady. Her names Tess and she was a Nanny to one of the little boys
Your point Doyle? Angel asks frustrated
Doyle glances out at the living room then sits at the table Tess spends a lot of time with kids. She pointed out that Briena wasnt playing with the other kids.
Uh so she wasnt comfortable around them Angel says sitting down
Doyle shrugs Maybe but I watched her Angel. Briena barely even noticed the other kids which was kinda odd because kids are social creatures.
Doyle shes a child raised in isolation for the last two years.
Angel shes also 4 years old and she is lacking a major part of being a child... friends. Tess suggested that Briena spend a couple hours a day
in daycare or something. She offered to help find something for Briena.
Angel nods Maybe. Ill talk it over with Buffy this weekend. Doyle thanks he stands up and goes into the living room."Briena grab your stuff we're going upstairs."
Briena looks up at Angel from her positiion on the floor "But I'm coloring" she protests
"I know sweetheart but you can finish it up in the office. Come on grab your things" Angel tells her
Briena scrambles to her feet picking up her papers and crayons "Ready" she announces
Angel grins crouching before her "Are you sure you have everything?" he asks
"Uh huh" she nods
Angel turns her around and points to Mr. Doggie lying on the floor "Don't you want to take Mr. Doggie with you?"
Briena looks at him her eyes wide "Uh oh" she says "I forgot Mr Doggie" she hurries over and picks up the stuffed dog. "Sorry Mr. Doggie"
she apologizes. She follows Angel into the elevator. Once Angel opens the doors Briena ducks under his arm she makes a beeline to the chair behind Angel's desk.
Angel chuckles shaking his head "Why are you in my chair?"
Briena grins "I like your chair"
"You can sit there for now but I'll need my desk later" he says pushing the chair closer to his desk he drops a kiss on Briena's head before
going to the reception area. He finds Cordelia leafing through a magazine "Cordy I need your help"
Cordelia looks up at him "I'm not going grocery shopping again"
Angel shakes his head "No. This is something you like to do"
"What?" she asks suspiciously
Angel looks at the floor then at Cordelia "I told Briena that we could start decorating her room this weekend"
"What do you need me to do?"
"Uh how do you even decorate a kids room?" Angel asks
Cordelia grins "For a guy with great taste I'm surprised you don't know how to decorate a simple kids room"
Angel shrugs "I haven't been around kids since my sister was alive" he replies sadly
Cordelia sighs at her boss's brooding "Look kids rooms usually have themes." she stands "I'll go pick up some sample paint cards and sample
wallpaper." she grabs her purse "Any preference?" she asks heading towards the door
"Just think how she'd think not how you'd think" Angel replies
"Sure. Besides I don't think Briena is even into the whole frilly pink stuff" Cordelia laughs
"Thanks Cordy" Angel says as she leaves. Angel picks up an old leather bound book and returns to his office. At the sight of the silently
coloring child he smiles as he sits in his leather arm chair and opens his book.
After a while Briena becomes bored with coloring so she puts her crayons down and rubs her eyes tiredly. She climbs out of the chair and holding Mr. Doggie tightly she pads over to Angel and tugs on his pant leg. "Angel" she demands
Angel puts his book down to see Briena watching him tiredly "What's wrong little one? Are you tired?" he inquires
Briena shrugs and holds her arms out "Up" she demands. Angel picks her up placing her on his lap. Briena curls up against the now familiar
chest and points to the book "Whats that?"
"Just something I'm reading" he answers
"Oh" she's quiet then requests "Read to me please"
"Its not for little girls" when he sees the stubborn look on her face he reluctantly agrees. Opening the book he starts to read to her. Soon he realizes that Briena is fast asleep against his chest. Not wanting to move her yet he kisses the top of her head "Sleep well baby" he whispers. He returns to reading his book as he rubs the sleeping child's back.
**** 15 minutes later ****
Angel looks up as he hears the outer office door open and someone walking in and call out "Hello?" Angel stands cradling Briena close he
goes to the outer office to find Kate standing there. "Kate what are you doing here?" he asks softly from the doorway
Kate turns around at his voice "Angel" she greets "I need your help again" her eyes resting on Briena.
"Sure." he nods "Why don't we go downstairs." he suggests leading Kate to the elevator. "Can you.." he nods towards the elevator door
"Yeah" Kate says pulling the door down she pushes the button
"Thanks" Angel says shifting Briena in his arms. As the elevator stops he pulls open the door and steps out. "I'm going to go put her down. I'll
be back in a minute" he says heading towards Briena's room.
Kate walks around the room looking at the books on the bookcase. She looks up as she hears a door close
Angel closes the bedroom door carefully and turns to find Kate by the bookcase. "Want some tea?" he asks
"Sure" Kate says following Angel into the kitchen. She watches from doorway as Angel puts the tea kettle on the stove and takes out the mugs from the cupboard. "Who is Briena?" Kate asks. When Angel doesn't answer she guesses "From the looks of her I'd say she's your daughter. But according to my research vampires can't have kids"
"Look Kate" he begins turning around facing the blond "You can't tell her anything."
"So she is yours"
Angel nods "Briena is my daughter." he admits
"So did she appear out of nowhere?" Kate asks sarcastically
Angel turns around as he hears the kettle whistle "Actually she did" he replies
"Yeah right Angel. Like thats possible" Kate snorts in disbelief
Angel gestures to the table and places the mugs down he takes a seat. "Kate I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone about what I am about to tell you"
Kate sits down "Why tell me Angel?"
"Kate there are few people I trust in LA and you are one of them."
"Why are you trusting me?"
Angel looks down at his mug then at Kate "Because we have little contact so I know that you won't be hurt because of my work. There is little that connects us"
"OK I see your point"
"Kate I need you to promise to tell no one especially Briena about this conversation"
"Angel I promise"
Angel nods and begins his tale "About 5 years ago I was living on the streets in New York when I was approached by a demon named Whistler. Whistler asked me to help him balance good and evil. He had to convince me to help him. We came to LA so I could begin my training. A year or so later I moved to Sunnydale to help the Slayer with the Harvest"
"Slayer? Harvest?" asks Kate
"Yes. The Slayer is the one girl in all the world that has the power and strength to kill demons and vampires. The Harvest was a ritual that involved the rising of a vampire trapped in hell. I went to help stop that and help the Slayer." he pauses remembering the first time he met Buffy. "Her names Buffy. I fell for her the moment I saw her. She didn't feel the same she got pissed off because I followed her into an alley. She ended up knocking me on my ass. She stopped the Harvest in the end. About a month later she found out what I am. She was pissed big time, but she got over it after I killed my sire Darla. We fell in love and somehow we both had this dream about a child. At the time neither of us knew the significance of our dreams. That night I lost my soul because of this clause in the curse. I became Angelus. I tortured Buffy and her friends for over three months. I tried to raise the demon Acathala to bring hell to earth. The only way to close the vortex was for Buffy to send me to hell...
with my soul."
"You went to hell with a soul" Kate says shocked
"Yes. They weren't too happy about having me there. After all I tried to kill them. The night was when Briena was born. A guy named Jack,
whose family had been researching the prophecy for centuries, found Briena and he raised her until this last weekend."
"What happened?" Kate asked
"Jack sent me a book that had the prophecy of the Last Slayer... Briena. At the time I had no clue that the child mentioned was mine. I went to Sunnydale to meet with a friend of mine. Jack showed up with Briena and told us that she was the child in the prophecy and that Buffy and I are her parents."
"And where is her mother?"
Angel sighs sadly "Buffy is still in Sunnydale. I left her after she graduated and came to LA."
"If you love her why'd you leave?"
"A lot of reasons at the time. I mostly wanted her to live a normal life. The only way that could happen is if I left and so I did."
"Why is Briena living with you and not her mother?" Kate asks curiously
"Briena is a special child." Angel smiles faintly "I'm not just saying that because she's mine. Not only because she is a future Slayer but because she is a miracle. She's part Slayer and part vampire a rare mix considering vampires can't have children let alone having them with
Slayers. Right now Sunnydale is too dangerous for both of us."
"Why?"
"There is a military installation there that hunts demons. They capture demons and study them by dissecting them. Buffy's boyfriend is part of
the group of commandos. Briena and I couldn't return to Sunnydale and Buffy can't leave Sunnydale she has her duty and her friends and
family there."
"Why tell me all this Angel?"
Angel leans forward his arms on the table "I want you to promise that if anything happens to me, Cordy or Doyle that you'll take Briena to
Sunnydale."
Kate nods "I will Angel." She promises the dark-haired vampire.
Angel smiles gratefully Thank you.
Kate smiles back then glances at her watch Ive got to get back to the station. she stands Thanks for trusting me Angel
Thanks for listening Angel stands and walks Kate to the elevator Ill look over the files some more and see what I can find
OK. Ill talk to you later then Kate says as the elevator heads up to the main floor
Angel goes in to check on Briena then settles down on the couch with the file Kate had given him.
TBC...
Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com
**** Ten minutes later ****
Cordelia is sitting at her desk typing some notes when the office door opens. Looking up she sees Doyle and Briena enter. Hi guys. she
greets Doyle Angel is with a client he wants you to join them.
Right Doyle agrees going to the Angels office door he knocks and opens it You want to see me?
Angel nods Come in he says
Doyle enters closing the door behind him. So whats the deal?
Doyle this is Mr Tomas. He was explaining to me his problem.
So Briena did you and Doyle have fun at the park? asks Cordelia
Yep. I played on the swings. Went down the slide. Climbed the monkey bars. And guess what?
What?
Wanna see something?
Sure Cordelia answers curiously
Briena walks closer to Cordelia putting her hand in her pocket she pulls out the worm. See she holds it up
Ahhh Cordelia screams in disgust jumping out of the chair
The office door slams open and out rush Doyle and Angel. Whats wrong? asks Angel
Cordy why are you screaming? Doyle demands
Calm down Cordy Angel soothes
Cordelia takes a deep breath A worm she shudders Briena brought in a worm
They look over at Briena who is watching them innocently Hi Angel
Angel walks over to Briena kneeling infront of her Let me see your hands
Nu uh she shakes her head
Briena he growls warningly. Briena brings her hands out from behind her back her palms up. Angel sees the worm in her hand Can I have the
worm?
Briena shakes her head No my worm
Briena you cant keep the worm. Worms need dirt and plants to survive. If it stays out of the dirt for too long itll die. You dont want that do you? Angel asks
Briena shakes her head No she looks at the worm Bye Mr. Worm she says sadly handing the worm to Angel.
Doyle take the worm outside Angel says turning the worm over to the half demon
Sure Boss Doyle acknowledges going outside
No more bringing worms inside. OK? Angel says
Briena nods reluctantly OK she agrees
Ive got to finish up with this meeting. Be good for Cordy. OK? he requests
Briena nods OK
Angel kisses her forehead then stands returning to his office. Sorry bout that. Cordelia is a little highstrung.
Its fine Mr Tomas says I can understand that. My older daughter did the samething when my son put a snake in her bed
What else can you tell me about your situation? Angel asks as Doyle joins them
Im sorry Cordy Briena apologizes sheepishly
Its OK. You just surprised me
Briena lays on her stomach on the floor as she colors. She looks up as the door to Angels office opens and out walk Angel and Doyle with a
short man with reddish brown hair. She scrambles to her feet and runs over to Angel wrapping her arms around his legs she looks up at the man
talking to Angel. When their eyes meet Briena frowns then tightens her grip on Angels leg as she moves behind him.
Hello kid the strange man greets with a smile
Angel looks down at his daughter puzzled at her reaction Briena arent you going to say hi?
No she says quietly
Angel looks at Mr Tomas Shes a little shy he explains
All kids are shy. Mr Tomas chuckles
Ill keep in touch with you just leave your number with Cordelia Angel says holding out his hand Thanks for coming in Angel says leaning
down he unwraps Brienas tight grip on his leg and picks her up Cordelia well be downstairs Angel says carrying the clinging child into his
office he takes her downstairs Whats wrong little one? he asks stroking her back as he carries her to the couch and sits down. Briena look at me
Briena tightens her grip on his neck No
Did Mr Tomas scare you? Angel questions
Uh huh. Dont like him she mumbles
Hes not here anymore. You dont need to be scared. I wont let anything happen to you... ever he hugs her tight I promised Jack and Buffy that nothing would happen to you
Briena reluctantly lets go of Angels neck Never ever? she asks looking at Angel her eyes tearful and her lower lip trembling
Never ever he promises looking into the big brown eyes Ill always protect you
Briena smiles then lays her head on his chest Angel?
Yes
Why dont I have a Mommy and Daddy like everyone else?
Angel is startled by the question You have a Daddy and Mommy and they love you very much. More than anything in the world
Oh she sighs fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt I wish you and Buffy were my Mommy and Daddy.
We are baby he thinks to himself as he kisses the top of her head Thanks he chuckles when he hears Brienas stomach growl. Someones hungry
Briena nods My tummy wants food
Angel sets Briena on the floor Well lets get you fed he leads her into the kitchen as Briena sits at the table Angel goes through the cabinets What do you want to eat?
Dunno she shrugs
How bout a sandwhich
kay
Angel nods grabbing the bread from the counter. What kind of sandwhich do you want?
Peanut butter and jelly she requests
Angel makes her a sandwhich Heres your sandwhich he puts it infront of her
Too big she says
Angel nods cutting the sandwhich in half Better?
Uh huh she nods
Want anything else?
Juice please she requests
Sure Angel says taking the juice out of the refridgerator he goes to the cupboard and finds a plastic cup and pours some juice. Here you go he places the cup on the table
Thank you she mumbles as she takes a drink
Angel starts to clean up the kitchen Did you have fun at the park? he asks
Uh huh. I played on the swings and went down the slide.
Oh. Whats your favorite toy at the park? Angel asks sitting down
Umm she mumbles her mouth full Climbing up the bars
Shes a regular monkey that one Doyle says entering the kitchen She climbed all the way to the top of the monkey bars. She needed help to
get down though
Yep Im a monkey Briena says proudly
I bet Angel laughs
Im done Briena announces Can I go color?
Sure Angel says watching the child dash out of the kitchen. Standing he clears the table I take it that things went well at the park
Doyle shifts nervously Well kinda
Angel sees the look on Doyles face. What do you mean kinda?
Doyle looks into his mug then at Angel At the park I met this lady. Her names Tess and she was a Nanny to one of the little boys
Your point Doyle? Angel asks frustrated
Doyle glances out at the living room then sits at the table Tess spends a lot of time with kids. She pointed out that Briena wasnt playing with the other kids.
Uh so she wasnt comfortable around them Angel says sitting down
Doyle shrugs Maybe but I watched her Angel. Briena barely even noticed the other kids which was kinda odd because kids are social creatures.
Doyle shes a child raised in isolation for the last two years.
Angel shes also 4 years old and she is lacking a major part of being a child... friends. Tess suggested that Briena spend a couple hours a day
in daycare or something. She offered to help find something for Briena.
Angel nods Maybe. Ill talk it over with Buffy this weekend. Doyle thanks he stands up and goes into the living room."Briena grab your stuff we're going upstairs."
Briena looks up at Angel from her positiion on the floor "But I'm coloring" she protests
"I know sweetheart but you can finish it up in the office. Come on grab your things" Angel tells her
Briena scrambles to her feet picking up her papers and crayons "Ready" she announces
Angel grins crouching before her "Are you sure you have everything?" he asks
"Uh huh" she nods
Angel turns her around and points to Mr. Doggie lying on the floor "Don't you want to take Mr. Doggie with you?"
Briena looks at him her eyes wide "Uh oh" she says "I forgot Mr Doggie" she hurries over and picks up the stuffed dog. "Sorry Mr. Doggie"
she apologizes. She follows Angel into the elevator. Once Angel opens the doors Briena ducks under his arm she makes a beeline to the chair behind Angel's desk.
Angel chuckles shaking his head "Why are you in my chair?"
Briena grins "I like your chair"
"You can sit there for now but I'll need my desk later" he says pushing the chair closer to his desk he drops a kiss on Briena's head before
going to the reception area. He finds Cordelia leafing through a magazine "Cordy I need your help"
Cordelia looks up at him "I'm not going grocery shopping again"
Angel shakes his head "No. This is something you like to do"
"What?" she asks suspiciously
Angel looks at the floor then at Cordelia "I told Briena that we could start decorating her room this weekend"
"What do you need me to do?"
"Uh how do you even decorate a kids room?" Angel asks
Cordelia grins "For a guy with great taste I'm surprised you don't know how to decorate a simple kids room"
Angel shrugs "I haven't been around kids since my sister was alive" he replies sadly
Cordelia sighs at her boss's brooding "Look kids rooms usually have themes." she stands "I'll go pick up some sample paint cards and sample
wallpaper." she grabs her purse "Any preference?" she asks heading towards the door
"Just think how she'd think not how you'd think" Angel replies
"Sure. Besides I don't think Briena is even into the whole frilly pink stuff" Cordelia laughs
"Thanks Cordy" Angel says as she leaves. Angel picks up an old leather bound book and returns to his office. At the sight of the silently
coloring child he smiles as he sits in his leather arm chair and opens his book.
After a while Briena becomes bored with coloring so she puts her crayons down and rubs her eyes tiredly. She climbs out of the chair and holding Mr. Doggie tightly she pads over to Angel and tugs on his pant leg. "Angel" she demands
Angel puts his book down to see Briena watching him tiredly "What's wrong little one? Are you tired?" he inquires
Briena shrugs and holds her arms out "Up" she demands. Angel picks her up placing her on his lap. Briena curls up against the now familiar
chest and points to the book "Whats that?"
"Just something I'm reading" he answers
"Oh" she's quiet then requests "Read to me please"
"Its not for little girls" when he sees the stubborn look on her face he reluctantly agrees. Opening the book he starts to read to her. Soon he realizes that Briena is fast asleep against his chest. Not wanting to move her yet he kisses the top of her head "Sleep well baby" he whispers. He returns to reading his book as he rubs the sleeping child's back.
**** 15 minutes later ****
Angel looks up as he hears the outer office door open and someone walking in and call out "Hello?" Angel stands cradling Briena close he
goes to the outer office to find Kate standing there. "Kate what are you doing here?" he asks softly from the doorway
Kate turns around at his voice "Angel" she greets "I need your help again" her eyes resting on Briena.
"Sure." he nods "Why don't we go downstairs." he suggests leading Kate to the elevator. "Can you.." he nods towards the elevator door
"Yeah" Kate says pulling the door down she pushes the button
"Thanks" Angel says shifting Briena in his arms. As the elevator stops he pulls open the door and steps out. "I'm going to go put her down. I'll
be back in a minute" he says heading towards Briena's room.
Kate walks around the room looking at the books on the bookcase. She looks up as she hears a door close
Angel closes the bedroom door carefully and turns to find Kate by the bookcase. "Want some tea?" he asks
"Sure" Kate says following Angel into the kitchen. She watches from doorway as Angel puts the tea kettle on the stove and takes out the mugs from the cupboard. "Who is Briena?" Kate asks. When Angel doesn't answer she guesses "From the looks of her I'd say she's your daughter. But according to my research vampires can't have kids"
"Look Kate" he begins turning around facing the blond "You can't tell her anything."
"So she is yours"
Angel nods "Briena is my daughter." he admits
"So did she appear out of nowhere?" Kate asks sarcastically
Angel turns around as he hears the kettle whistle "Actually she did" he replies
"Yeah right Angel. Like thats possible" Kate snorts in disbelief
Angel gestures to the table and places the mugs down he takes a seat. "Kate I need you to promise that you won't tell anyone about what I am about to tell you"
Kate sits down "Why tell me Angel?"
"Kate there are few people I trust in LA and you are one of them."
"Why are you trusting me?"
Angel looks down at his mug then at Kate "Because we have little contact so I know that you won't be hurt because of my work. There is little that connects us"
"OK I see your point"
"Kate I need you to promise to tell no one especially Briena about this conversation"
"Angel I promise"
Angel nods and begins his tale "About 5 years ago I was living on the streets in New York when I was approached by a demon named Whistler. Whistler asked me to help him balance good and evil. He had to convince me to help him. We came to LA so I could begin my training. A year or so later I moved to Sunnydale to help the Slayer with the Harvest"
"Slayer? Harvest?" asks Kate
"Yes. The Slayer is the one girl in all the world that has the power and strength to kill demons and vampires. The Harvest was a ritual that involved the rising of a vampire trapped in hell. I went to help stop that and help the Slayer." he pauses remembering the first time he met Buffy. "Her names Buffy. I fell for her the moment I saw her. She didn't feel the same she got pissed off because I followed her into an alley. She ended up knocking me on my ass. She stopped the Harvest in the end. About a month later she found out what I am. She was pissed big time, but she got over it after I killed my sire Darla. We fell in love and somehow we both had this dream about a child. At the time neither of us knew the significance of our dreams. That night I lost my soul because of this clause in the curse. I became Angelus. I tortured Buffy and her friends for over three months. I tried to raise the demon Acathala to bring hell to earth. The only way to close the vortex was for Buffy to send me to hell...
with my soul."
"You went to hell with a soul" Kate says shocked
"Yes. They weren't too happy about having me there. After all I tried to kill them. The night was when Briena was born. A guy named Jack,
whose family had been researching the prophecy for centuries, found Briena and he raised her until this last weekend."
"What happened?" Kate asked
"Jack sent me a book that had the prophecy of the Last Slayer... Briena. At the time I had no clue that the child mentioned was mine. I went to Sunnydale to meet with a friend of mine. Jack showed up with Briena and told us that she was the child in the prophecy and that Buffy and I are her parents."
"And where is her mother?"
Angel sighs sadly "Buffy is still in Sunnydale. I left her after she graduated and came to LA."
"If you love her why'd you leave?"
"A lot of reasons at the time. I mostly wanted her to live a normal life. The only way that could happen is if I left and so I did."
"Why is Briena living with you and not her mother?" Kate asks curiously
"Briena is a special child." Angel smiles faintly "I'm not just saying that because she's mine. Not only because she is a future Slayer but because she is a miracle. She's part Slayer and part vampire a rare mix considering vampires can't have children let alone having them with
Slayers. Right now Sunnydale is too dangerous for both of us."
"Why?"
"There is a military installation there that hunts demons. They capture demons and study them by dissecting them. Buffy's boyfriend is part of
the group of commandos. Briena and I couldn't return to Sunnydale and Buffy can't leave Sunnydale she has her duty and her friends and
family there."
"Why tell me all this Angel?"
Angel leans forward his arms on the table "I want you to promise that if anything happens to me, Cordy or Doyle that you'll take Briena to
Sunnydale."
Kate nods "I will Angel." She promises the dark-haired vampire.
Angel smiles gratefully Thank you.
Kate smiles back then glances at her watch Ive got to get back to the station. she stands Thanks for trusting me Angel
Thanks for listening Angel stands and walks Kate to the elevator Ill look over the files some more and see what I can find
OK. Ill talk to you later then Kate says as the elevator heads up to the main floor
Angel goes in to check on Briena then settles down on the couch with the file Kate had given him.
TBC...
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