Angel walks towards the room Cordy is in. The others follow. Except for Willow. She stands for a second, thinking about what Angel just said.

WILLOW: Dostoyevsky. Karamazov. Is that what I dreamed?

Willow follows everyone else into Cordy's room. They stand at the foot of the bed while Angel walks up to her. Like before, Cordy's eyes are open, but she's non-responsive. Angel touches her face. He leans down and kisses her softly on the lips. After five seconds, her eyes start moving. She pushes Angel away. Then she puts her head on his shoulder and starts crying. He holds her. Everyone else leaves the room and walks into the demolished lobby. Willow enter Angel's office and picks up his phone.

It's noon. Buffy and Giles knew that the spell didn't take this long. They were beginning to worry. When the phone rang, Giles picked it up before it had the first ring had been completed.

WILLOW: So how was your morning?

GILES: [smiling] Willow. It's wonderful to hear from you. [Xander and Buffy run up to the phone] How did it go?

WILLOW: Angel has his soul back. Cordy's been un-demoned. Drusilla's dead. All the good guys are alive. It was pretty desperate there for a while, but everything turned out okay.

GILES: I'm very pleased to hear that.

Willow falls to the ground. She leans her back against the front of the desk and picks the dangling phone up.

GILES: Hello? Hello? Willow?

WILLOW: I'm still here. Could you put Xander on?

GILES: Sure. [he isn't sure why she needs to talk to him right now] Xander, it's Willow for you.

Xander takes the phone, and Buffy turns to Giles.

BUFFY: What did she say? How is she? How is - ?

GILES: A complete success.

Buffy looks relieved.

XANDER: How are you, Will?

WILLOW: Drained. Curing Cordelia and fixing Angel took a lot out of me. I don't think I'm up to driving back.

XANDER: Are you hurt bad?

WILLOW: Just tired. So if you and Anya came up, one of you could drive my car back.

XANDER: Sure. Whatever you need, I'm there.

Willow looks out through the open door into the lobby.

WILLOW: Speaking of needs, me and Cordy, when we were fighting, we really went at it, and we sort of wrecked the place. Wrecked as in, worse than what I did to the Magic Box. Of course, this place is a lot bigger and stronger. But, seeing how people are going to keep living here, I thought it might be good if you took a look around, made sure nothing was on the verge of collapse.

XANDER: Well, if I'm gonna be there anyway – how much damage are we talking about?

WILLOW: Let me just say that in Sunnydale we never had this much building to destroy.

XANDER: That bad, huh?

WILLOW: You can see for yourself when you get here.

XANDER: Be there soon.

Xander hands the phone to Buffy.

XANDER: Willow's a little pooped from all the magicking she did. I'm gonna go with Anya and pick her up.

ANYA: What about me?

XANDER: We're going to LA.

ANYA: To Angel's place? The giant money-making machine he has yet to properly exploit? Let's go. [they walk out the back door] Plus, we get to meet Angel's friends, and see if this sexy Wesley thing is for real.

BUFFY: Hey Willow. How's Angel doing?

WILLOW: He's fine. Rather uncooperative during the whole process, though. But I forgive him. Long as he doesn't do it again.

BUFFY: Was Cordelia as tough as you expected?

WILLOW: Tougher. There were moments when she made me miss Glory.

BUFFY: You really mean that?

WILLOW: She didn't have a demon inside of her. She had a god. A god who was a lot more powerful than Glory. As long as the god was inside her, I couldn't defeat it. But it wasn't ready to live in this dimension on its own. Once I took it out of her, it was helpless. And Cordy went back to being Cordy.

BUFFY: You can never go back.

CORDY: I was up there, looking down, watching you in Las Vegas. You were lost. Didn't even know who you were. I couldn't stand by and let that happen to you. What was the point of having all that power if I couldn't use it to help the people I love?

ANGEL: The jackpot. That was you?

CORDY: And then the next thing I knew, I was back here.

ANGEL: Was that your punishment?

CORDY: I don't know. I don't know why I became a Higher Being. Or why I became what I became when I stopped being a Higher Being. After I got my memory back, it started slowly. Every now and then I wouldn't be able to remember what happened for the last few minutes. Then it became hours. I was me, then I wasn't, then when I was me again, and I couldn't remember what I had done. Except for that with Connor, because he was there in the morning to remind me. Then one day, I could remember everything, but I wasn't the one in control. I did so many horrible things. I killed so many people. I hurt everyone I care about.

ANGEL: It wasn't you.

CORDY: Angel, you know it's never that simple. A part of me wanted to do those things. There's a reason they picked me, whoever they are.

ANGEL: I know what you're trying to get at, but it's not true. If you keep thinking like this, those bastards that hurt you are gonna win.

CORDY: Angel, I appreciate what you're trying to do. I know that, because of what you've done, you can forgive anything. But I look at you, and all I can think of are all the horrible way I hurt you. How do you think I'll feel around the rest of my friends?

ANGEL: I know who you really are. I know that the thing you were these past few months wasn't the real Cordy. Your friends know that, too.

CORDY: Well, Wes and Gunn and Fred do. They knew me before I went all glowy-Higher Being-amnesiac-bitch monster of death. But Connor doesn't. Oh God. I really messed him up. [pauses, shakes her head] I'm actually glad he met Dawn. Okay, I'm not at all glad it's her, I'm just glad he found someone else. Him loving her IS weird, but it's less weird than him loving me. Damn, I really did lower the bar. Least I've never met her.

ANGEL: Yes you have.

CORDY: Angel, she didn't exist when we lived in Sunnydale.

ANGEL: Not technically. But we all have memories of her.

CORDY: I don't. Maybe it's one of the after-effects of being a Higher Being, but I only remember things that actually happened.

ANGEL: You have no memory of Dawn?

CORDY: Because she wasn't there. And by the time she was there, I wasn't.

ANGEL: That's amazing.

CORDY: You're a vampire with a soul who's been to Hell and back. You're talking to an ex-Higher Being who a few hours ago was pregnant with your son's baby. And THIS is what you find amazing?

ANGEL: Point taken. So when I became Angelus, and I grabbed Dawn in the hallway at the high school, who did I really attack?

CORDY: Willow.

ANGEL: Oh. When I got my soul back, I always felt uncomfortable around Dawn because of that. [thinks for a few seconds] Now I have a completely different reason to feel uncomfortable around her.

CORDY: If I were you, I'd be more worried about how you'll feel around Fred and Charles and Wesley. You've been trying to kill them for the last week. 'Specially Fred. Considering all the things you threatened – and God forbid, maybe even tried – to do to her.

ANGEL: Things'll be awkward for a little while, but they know that wasn't me. They know who I really am. And they know who you really are.

CORDY: Look at it this way: what if, after you became Angelus, you pretended to be Angel for a few months? You stayed by their side, acted like their friend, but behind their backs you made their lives a living Hell?

ANGEL: They know it wasn't your fault.

CORDY: That doesn't mean they'll trust me. We can't rewrite the past. Maybe a few Russian monks can rewrite it a little. But we can't go back. We can't pretend the last year didn't happen. Things will never be the same.

ANGEL: Some things will. We still love you. We're here for you. I'm here for you. Whatever you need.

CORDY: Right now, I think I need to sleep. Willow taking it out of me took a lot out of me. But first, can you send Connor in? I think I at least owe him an explanation.

ANGEL: I'll get him. You just rest up for now. I think that's what we'll all be doing for a while. I missed you, Cordy.

He kisses her on the forehead and goes out into the hallway. Right before he gets to the lobby, he runs into Kelly.

KELLY: Oh. Sorry. Great to finally meet you, Angel.

ANGEL: Yeah. Same here, Kelly. [this is understandably awkward for him]

KELLY: Guess a friendly handshake would be a little ridiculous by now.

ANGEL: Right.

KELLY: Right. [nervous silence]

ANGEL: Thanks for, you know, helping my friends.

KELLY: My pleasure. [Angel is more nervous than Kelly] I don't mean all of it was pleasurable. I guess what I mean to say is, I don't know you, but I know you must be a really good guy, otherwise your friends wouldn't have been willing to put up with so much. I mean, they never even thought of killing you, even to save their own lives. Anyone who inspires that much loyalty must really be special. Otherwise, you'd be dust by now.

ANGEL: That's very nice of you to say. I think. Excuse me.

Angel walks into the lobby. This is the first time he's gotten a good look at the full extent of the damage Willow and Cordy wreaked. He's rather overwhelmed. Fred, Gunn, Wes, Lorne, Faith and Lindsey move towards him. Angel's uncomfortable with all the sudden attention. He's especially skittish around Fred, who wears a bandage on her neck where he bit her earlier that morning. All of them are bruised and cut from the desperate fight Angelus waged to stay alive. Their wounds are unwelcome reminders of what he was and what he did.

ANGEL: Hi guys. Cordy's resting. Where's Connor?

KELLY: Think he went somewhere to lie down.

ANGEL: Oh. Thanks.

Kelly is behind him. Angelus turns around and has to walk past her to get to the hallway. He still doesn't know who she is or how she got involved with his friends. He's also unaware of her feelings for Wesley. For the moment, Angel worries she might like him. Kelly was very convincing while "pretending" to be extremely attracted to Angelus. Besides, just about every woman he met wanted him. He thinks he'll have to let Kelly down easy before she gets her hopes up. Angel hears Connor's voice at the end of the hallway.

After Buffy got off the phone with Willow, Dawn asked how Connor was. Buffy said Willow didn't say anything about him. Willow did say everyone was okay, which meant Connor was fine. But such generalities aren't enough for Dawn. She goes up to her room, anxiously waiting for him to call. Within a few minutes, her cell phone rings.

CONNOR: Hello lover.

DAWN: You're okay!?

CONNOR: Yeah. It was rough for a while. Faith saved my life. I know she hasn't been nice to you before, but –

DAWN: I'll try my best.

CONNOR: She's nice to me. I think Faith's different than when you knew her. After talking to me, she knows better than to mess with you.

DAWN: Nice of you to put in a good word. So you two spent a lot of time together? [she's still not comfortable with this]

CONNOR: And LIndsey. We hung out.

DAWN: The three of you? [this is much more agreeable to Dawn]

CONNOR: Yeah. He's real nice to me, too.

DAWN: This is the same Lindsey everyone saw at the Bronze?

CONNOR: Except for us. We didn't really notice him. I was too busy noticing you.

DAWN: Don't do that.

CONNOR: Do what?

DAWN: Make me miss you even more. It's tough enough without you pouring on the sweetness. Anyway, the Potentials are totally hot for that Lindsey guy. It's not just them. Between you and me, I think Buffy's a little jealous of Faith.

CONNOR: But you're not.

DAWN: Connor! Of course I'm not. Are YOU jealous of Lindsey?

CONNOR: Well, just a little. [Dawn does not like the sound of this] When I'm with them, and they're together, makes me miss you even more. Makes me wish I could be with the woman I love.

DAWN: Wow you're good.

CONNOR: What!? I'm not great? I think you're great.

DAWN: [laughs] Why are you always laying it on so thick? I already love you, so there's no need to keep trying to woo or wow me anymore.

CONNOR: I say what I feel. That's all. You changed my life.

DAWN: I know the feeling. This morning, I was really worried about you, Connor. I just never wanna lose you. That's why I'm glad you have Angel back. I know he'll look after you. Okay, yeah, I know, you do a really good job of looking after yourself. But it's always nice to have someone watching your back. So try to be nice to him. For me?

CONNOR: For you? Okay.

DAWN: And also for you, cause I know he really loves you and wants to help you. Maybe he'll be completely wigged-out about us, but he wants what's best for you, so one of these days he'll hafta realize that's me.

Angel opens the door.

ANGEL: Connor. Can we talk?

CONNOR: It's my dad.

DAWN: Oh. Well then, go.

CONNOR: Maybe I'll tell him what you just told me. Love you.

DAWN: Love you too. Good luck.

They hang up. Dawn smiles and goes downstairs. She sees Buffy in the kitchen.

DAWN: Connor's alright. In case you cared. He promised me he'd be nice to Angel. [scowls] I'm sure you care about that.

BUFFY: So me caring about Angel's a bad thing?

DAWN: No. I care about them both. It would be nice if you could. I'm sorry. I know it's been less than a week since he tried to kill you. But he feels really bad about that. And you've forgiven everyone else who tried to kill you but apologized after. I know you wish he never was conceived in the first place, but –

BUFFY: He's your honey. I'm all too well aware of that. Connor respects you. He knows how great you are. As long as that's the case, I'm okay with him. But if he ever hurts you . . . Let's just say, if that ever happens, I hope Angel's smart enough not to get in my way.

DAWN: So you're not just my sister, you're also my very own personal Vengeance Demon? Speaking of which – [Dawn looks into the living room and the dining room] where is everybody?

BUFFY: They're here.

DAWN: Did Xander and Anya go somewhere?

BUFFY: Oh. I forgot. Willow's a little drained after taking down Cordy. So they went to pick her up.

DAWN: What!!! They were going to LA, and you didn't tell me? I could've gone along with them.

BUFFY: I thought you wanted Connor to spend time bonding with Angel?

ANGEL: Cordy would like to speak with you.

CONNOR: Okay. Sure.

Connor stands up and walks towards the door.

ANGEL: I love you, Connor. And I'm glad you're home. Unless you still want to live at your own place. I can pay to have the window repaired. You know, the one you threw me through. By the way, that was a nice move.

CONNOR: I'm living here. I only lived there cause you kicked me out.

ANGEL: But I only kicked you out because you – let's just put all that behind us, okay?

CONNOR: Okay.

Angel noticed the bandage on his neck.

ANGEL: Were you bitten?

CONNOR: Dru got me. Then Faith got her. Kelly said I lost half my blood.

ANGEL: Do you need to go to the hospital?

CONNOR: No. She gave me some. From other people. That doesn't change you, right?

ANGEL: No. It doesn't. So Kelly fixed you up?

CONNOR: Yeah. Who is she, anyway?

ANGEL: Beats me.

Connor leaves and goes down the hall towards Cordy's room. Angel smiles. He thinks it's possible Connor no longer hates him.

Connor enters Cordy's room. She had taken off her bloody blouse and her white pants and put on gray sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt. She's sitting up on the bed. Connor looks at her for a few seconds.

CONNOR: So I'm not gonna become a daddy? [smiles at his icebreaker]

CORDY: And I'm not gonna become a mommy. Thank God for small miracles. Or, actually, for Willow. You look hurt.

CONNOR: So do you. You're wearing what you wore when I took you slaying. When we first kissed.

CORDY: [looks down at her clothes] You're right. I didn't notice. [this makes her even more nervous] Connor, the things you said to me the other day –

CONNOR: I was mad.

CORDY: You had every right to be mad after how I treated you. I deserved it. Every word.

CONNOR: Some of it wasn't true. I lied to you cause you lied to me. Your love wasn't real.

CORDY: Yes it was. And it is. It just wasn't that kind of love. When I spent the night with you, I wasn't myself.

CONNOR: When were you yourself? What was real?

CORDY: When I had amnesia. That was real. I cared about you and I knew what a great guy you were, but I didn't want you. Not the way you wanted me.

CONNOR: What about when you were gonna sleep with me if I killed Angel?

CORDY: [scoffs] That's what you expected? Boy, were you in for a disappointment. Sixteen year-old me would probably let you round second, but you had NO chance of going all the way. I may have been friendly, but I wasn't loose.

CONNOR: So you were only really you when you didn't remember who you were?

CORDY: That time we met. I mean, the first time you remember meeting me.

CONNOR: When I tried to kill you.

CORDY: The way I was then – that was the real me. Except for the glowing. But how I wanted to help you. And loved you. That was real. All I wanted was for you and Angel to be happy and together. Instead I made both of you miserable and pulled you apart.

CONNOR: Don't worry. I don't want you anymore. I still think you're pretty. You're the third prettiest woman I've know.

Cordy likes the compliment. Then her old competitive streak kicks in.

CORDY: Third!? Who's ahead of me?

CONNOR: Dawn.

CORDY: Of course.

CONNOR: And my mom.

CORDY: How do you know what Darla looked like? Never mind. [she can't resist] So where's Buffy?

CONNOR: Behind you. Way behind. Behind Faith and Anya and Fred and Willow and – lemme think – no, just them.

CORDY: [smiling] I was wrong. You really aren't like your father.

CONNOR: Glad you finally noticed that.

Wesley puts on a black button-down shirt.

WES: Feels odd wearing something of Angel's.

KELLY: Looks better on you.

Wes goes to button it. Kelly touches his hands. Wesley's knuckles are bruised from the fight.

KELLY: Let me get that for you.

There are a few seconds of awkward silence. Then they kiss. About ten seconds later they stop, and both of them are breathing kind of heavy. Wes grabs his ribcage.

KELLY: Looks like you need to rest.

WES: I should be heading home.

KELLY: [a bit embarrassed] I understand.

WES: You're welcome to come by – if you don't have other plans.

They both smile and kiss again.

KELLY: It would really suck to be beat up AND alone.

Wes and Kelly leave. She doesn't know about his solitary recovery after getting his throat slit. Cordelia's really tired and wants to be someplace quiet and out of the way. Connor helps her to the elevator. She worries about seeing everyone. But LIndsey and Faith had already left, Kelly and Wes just ducked out, Angel's sitting in another room, Willow's in the office and Fred, Gunn and Wes are busy assessing the damage to their once and future home. After taking Cordy to her old room on the fourth floor, Connor comes back downstairs. He passes Fred, Gunn and Lorne near the lobby.

CONNOR: I took Cordy upstairs. She's resting. Said fighting Willow took a lot out of her.

LORNE: Ain't that the truth. [Gunn, Fred and Lorne look a little queasy]

CONNOR: I'm gonna go talk to dad. Good to be home. Am I right?

Connor smiles and walks down the hall.

LORNE: Is he planning on moving back in?

GUNN: That's good, ain't it?

FRED: Maybe he's ready to give Angel a chance.

The three of them are hopeful. Connor walks into the room Angel's in. Angel sits on the floor, his back leaning against a coffee table, his arms resting on top of it. Angel looks up at Connor.

CONNOR: I took Cordy upstairs. She needed to rest.

ANGEL: You're not mad at her?

CONNOR: I can forgive. She wasn't herself.

Connor flips Angel's right hand so his palm faces upwards. Then Connor takes a small hammer and a metal spike out of his pockets. He drives the spike through Angel's palm and through the wood underneath. Angel screams, partly in pain but mostly in shock. At the other end of the hall, Fred, Gunn and Lorne can hear him.

FRED: Is Angel in trouble?

GUNN: Probably just workin' things out with Connor.

Connor drives another spike through Angel's left palm. He yells out again in pain.

LORNE: I had a lotta arguments with my father, but they never sounded like that.

Connor finishes pounding both spikes down. Angel is a little terrified.

ANGEL: What the hell are you doing? Connor, it's me. I love you. I'd never hurt you. You know that. Son, why are you doing this to me?

CONNOR: You hurt Dawn.

ANGEL: I did what?

CONNOR: You sent her friends after her.

ANGEL: That wasn't me.

CONNOR: I know.

ANGEL: Then why are you doing this?

Gunn, Fred and Lorne burst into the room. They can't believe what they're seeing. All of them knew Connor could be vicious, but they never expected to find Angel with his hands nailed to the furniture. Connor looks at them. The hammer's still in his right hand.

CONNOR: Go away. This doesn't involve you.

The three of them stand there, speechless and trembling.

ANGEL: He's right. You guys should leave. Go on. It's a family thing.

They stand there a little while longer, staring at Angel. They can see that he doesn't want their help. They slowly back out of the room and close the door. Connor locks it behind them.

GUNN: Did I just see Connor crucifyin' Angel?

FRED: Least he hasn't gone for the feet. Yet.

LORNE: Have we been a wee bit too optimistic about the new, kinder gentler Connor?

FRED: Why would he do that to Angel?

GUNN: [sarcastically] Not like he's never hurt daddy before.

FRED: But by now he should know better. And I thought that Dawn girl changed him.

LORNE: I think it would be best if I ran and hid. Maybe behind Willow. She only kills the bad guys. Sure, she gives me the Willy Wonkas. But who better to protect you from an occasionally psychotic destroyer than another, far more powerful, occasionally psychotic destroyer?

CONNOR: This is a lesson. For next time.

ANGEL: Next time? There won't be a next time!

CONNOR: Twice in five years? It's part of who you are.

ANGEL: No it's not.

CONNOR: Angelus doesn't feel guilt. But he does feel pain. If he comes back, he'll remember what you're feeling right now. He'll know he won't be able to get away with hurting her. This isn't vengeance. It's a warning.

Angel looks at his hands.

ANGEL: Did Spike give you this idea?

CONNOR: Spike is Buffy's dog. He only does what she wants. And Buffy would never want you to get hurt.

ANGEL: I'm sorry about siring Dawn's friend. I'm sorry about a lot of things I did. At least Dawn's okay. That's what matters.

CONNOR: What if she wasn't? What if I was in the shower, or downstairs, when they attacked her? I think of what could have happened, and I get scared. If I lost Dawn, I don't know what I'd do.

ANGEL: I know the feeling.

CONNOR: Let me guess. Buffy.

He spits her name out the way a six year-old would say "brussel sprouts."

ANGEL: What do you have against her?

CONNOR: Nothing. I just know you can do better. Maybe Spike can't, but that just proves my point.

ANGEL: Thought you liked Spike. You wore his shirt.

CONNOR: Spike's cooler than you. And he's very brave. Spike's a warrior. But he's not a Champion. He's not a leader, like you. You go bad, everyone wants to get you better. Spike lost his soul, only Buffy would care.

ANGEL: So Buffy loves him?

CONNOR: No. When you love someone, and they're in the room, all you notice is them. Buffy isn't that way around Spike. So you don't have to worry. Or get jealous.

ANGEL: I'm not jealous of Spike.

CONNOR: If she loved him, you would be.

Angel's trying to figure out why discussing his relationship with Buffy makes Connor almost physically ill. He thinks that's grossly hypocritical, considering how Angel's not getting on Connor's case about Dawn. But he thinks maybe there's more to it than that.

ANGEL: Is Buffy the "Other Woman" to you? Is that why you hate her?

CONNOR: I don't hate her.

ANGEL: You're mad at her because of Darla.

CONNOR: No. I'm mad at you. You loved Buffy instead of mom.

ANGEL: That's not true. Connor, I loved your mother.

CONNOR: Then why didn't you lose your soul when you . . . when you made me?

ANGEL: Because she was a vampire. I loved your mother when she was a person. I would have done anything for her. I would have given my life to save hers. I tried to. I tried everything I could to save her life. I just wanted her to have a chance. The first time she lived, before she became a vampire, she only got to see the rotten, evil side of people. Then she was brought back by some very bad people who weren't going to let her live as a human with a soul. They were just using her, remaking her as a human only so that could remake her as a vampire. [Angel pauses] When your mother was pregnant with you, when it was time for you to be born, she realized she couldn't give birth, that you couldn't come out of her. She knew you were dying, and she staked herself so you could live, so you could have the chance she never had. Your mother loved you, Connor. She knew that giving you life was her only chance to give the world something good. And whatever else anyone ever tells you about her, I always want you to remember that.

Connor stands there for a few seconds. Before now, Angel had never said a word about Darla. He didn't expect a speech. And he certainly didn't expect Angel to praise her.

CONNOR: You're crying.

Connor kneels down and wipes the tears off Angel's face. Angel finds Connor's concern to be bizarre, if not surreal.

ANGEL: While you're caring about me, could you -? [he motions his head towards his left arm]

CONNOR: Oh. Yeah. I forgot about that.

Connor pulls both spikes out. Angel looks at his wounded hands. Connor rips up the bed sheet and wraps the strips around Angel's hands, carefully tying them so they don't fall off, but also making sure they're not too tight. He helps Angel to his feet and makes sure Angel's wounds aren't bleeding through the makeshift bandages Connor has wrapped around them. Angel is stunned and disturbed by his son's sudden concern.

CONNOR: That should do it. Are they comfortable?

Angel meekly nods. Connor hugs him.

CONNOR: I love you, dad.

Angel just stands there, absolutely perplexed.

ANGEL: Have you been having problems with mood swings?

CONNOR: No. [Connor lets go] Why?

Angel holds up his hands.

CONNOR: Nobody messes with my lover and gets away with it. You'll heal.

ANGEL: So you're not mad at me?

CONNOR: Not anymore. Life doesn't have to be hard and painful. Being with Dawn taught me that. She's the reason I'm nice to you.

ANGEL: I thought she was the reason you drove nails through my hands.

CONNOR: She's really powerful. You're nice to her, good things happen. You're not, you suffer.

ANGEL: She sounds a lot like her older sister.

Connor scowls and walks towards the door. Angel reaches out his right hand and touches Connor's arm.

ANGEL: Wait. Hold on. You don't have to nail me to the furniture to get me to sit down and talk to you. Don't you have anything else you want to ask me?

CONNOR: Okay.

Connor sits on the bed. Angel sits in a chair about six feet away.

CONNOR: Why did you hate your father?

ANGEL: How do you know I hated my father?

CONNOR: That night when we fought in the kitchen and you didn't know who I was, you complained about him.

ANGEL: You remember what I said?

CONNOR: Something about him being a hypocrite.

ANGEL: That's why we didn't get along.

CONNOR: You don't hate someone cause you think he's a hypocrite. You think someone's a hypocrite cause you hate him. Trust me. I should know.

Angel's a bit taken aback by Connor's reference to his (hopefully) past antipathy for him. But that really was why Angel disliked his father.

ANGEL: I don't know. He was strict. And unfair. But to be fair, I wasn't the greatest son.

CONNOR: And I was?

ANGEL: You had it a lot rougher than I did. I never had to work for my food. You had to kill yours. I always had a roof over my head.

CONNOR: So your father provided for you?

ANGEL: Pretty much.

CONNOR: Then why did you hate him?

ANGEL: Because I was an ungrateful spoiled brat, I suppose.

CONNOR: You mean you were bad, your father was good, and that's why you hated him?

ANGEL: No! He wasn't good. He was a – [Angel is about to say hypocrite, but then remembers what the root cause was.] When I was growing up, the English ruled Ireland, and if you were an Irishman who owned a lot of land, you either had to convert and help the English, or you lost most of your property. My father kept his estate by collaborating with the enemy. I suppose he was doing the practical thing, making sure he could provide a decent life for his wife and children. But I saw him as a traitor. Who was he to tell me about morality and righteousness when he was betraying his own people? Still, it wasn't like there was anything I could do to change the situation. Couldn't be a rebel. Didn't want to be a gentleman traitor like my father. There was no honorable path for me to choose. So I decided to party and have fun and not care about life because caring didn't do any good.

CONNOR: You thought he was a coward.

ANGEL: You could say that.

CONNOR: I don't think you're a coward.

ANGEL: Thanks. Unless you're trying to damn me with faint praise. Because, as praise goes, that pretty damn faint.

CONNOR: I'm tired. Okay if I go upstairs and lie down?

ANGEL: Sure. When do you want to bring your stuff over?

CONNOR: Maybe tonight. Or tomorrow.

Connor gets up and walks to the door. Angel does the same to stop him from leaving right away.

ANGEL: One more thing. You fought really well. When you took us all on, one-on-five, that was, that was unbelievable. I'm proud of you, Connor. You just keep getting better and better. Who knows? Maybe in five years you'll be able to take me.

CONNOR: I'll be able to take you a lot sooner than that, old man.

Connor give Angel one of his cocky smiles. Angel hugs him. Connor's a little overwhelmed by all the affection. Getting along with Angel still seems vaguely unnatural to Connor.

ANGEL: You don't know how long I've been waiting for this moment. Or how many times I've dreamed about it. Course, in the dreams, I don't have holes through my hands. Guess that's how I know I'm not dreaming. It's great to have you home.

CONNOR: The two of us. Not trying to kill each other. It's a new feeling.

ANGEL: I'm sure it'll take some getting used to.

Connor unlocks the door and leaves the room. He's smiling and happy and gentle-looking. Gunn, Fred and Lorne stare him down. Fred holds a pistol with a tranquilizer dart. Lorne holds a crossbow. Both weapons are pointed at Connor. He laughs.

CONNOR: This your way of saying "welcome home"?

FRED: You're lucky I couldn't find the taser.

CONNOR: I gave that to Dawn. What's going on?

LORNE: We saw what you did to Angel.

CONNOR: Oh. That. It's in the past.

GUNN: That's all you gotta say?

CONNOR: It was none of your business.

GUNN: You hurt Angel, you better believe that's my business. Care to explain?

FRED: What could possible make you torture your own father?

CONNOR: He tried to hurt Dawn. Angelus sired three of her friends. They attacked us when we were in bed. While we where making love.

Fred and Lorne stop pointing their weapons at Connor. All three of them seem to be pondering what Connor has just said.

FRED: Oh.

GUNN: Damn.

LORNE: Poor thing.

FRED: That is low. But Angel didn't do it.

CONNOR: I know. But nobody hurts her and gets away with it.

Connor walks past them and heads for the stairs.

GUNN: He's got a right to be mad. But that's takin' things too far.

LORNE: I suppose in his mind this counts as chivalry. Remember when I said there was something violent and dangerous about Connor's love for that girl?

FRED: We better go check on Angel.

They walk to the door. Fred tries to open it, but it's locked.

FRED: Why would Angel lock us out?

Now that things with Connor seemed to be going on the right track, Angel decides to give Buffy a call.