Connor knew the moment that they walked into the Hyperion that his father knew. The look on his face said it all. Angel turned away from Connor and towards the woman standing beside him. "Cordy, why don't you show Anne up to her room. She's had a long day. I'm sure she's very tired."

Cordelia started to say something to Angel in response, but thought better of it. This was something she knew he'd rather handle alone with his son. "Okay. Come on, Anne. It's upstairs."

Anne glanced over at Connor, only to find him turned away from her. She sighed and followed Cordelia out.

As soon as they were alone, Angel advanced on Connor until there was very little space between them. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Connor knew there was no point in denying what had happened between him and Anne. Not with his father's senses… "It…it just happened."

"I wanted you to protect her, Connor. Not work out your pent-up sexual frustrations with her!"

"It wasn't like that! We were attacked. There was a fight with the demons and…things got hot."

"You shouldn't have let that happen! You should've had more control than that. She's a sixteen year old girl, she…"

"Whoa. Okay, stop right there before we get into some seriously hypocritical territory. I know what I did was wrong, Angel. I don't need anyone to tell me that. Especially you."

"Connor, I'm your father. I…"

"And I'm a grown man. This part of my life isn't any of your business."

"It is in this case!" Angel replied, his anger rising. "She's Buffy's…"

"Daughter, I know. And you feel responsible for her or something. I get that. But it's still none of your damn business."

"Connor…"

"Look, there's more important things going on here. Those demons attacked me today, too."

Angel frowned. "Anne said they'd only been attacking her. That they'd all but ignored anyone else who was around."

"Yeah, I know. She said that was the case until me." Connor took a deep breath. "And they called me something before they attacked. They called me her mate."

Angel stepped back. "Had you two…"

"Not yet. And when he said it…it was very deliberate."

Angel didn't quite know what to say. It seemed almost impossible that his son would be connected to this. And with Buffy's daughter…like that. "You and Anne took care of the demons, right?"

"Yeah. Although there's one hell of a mess in the kitchen. Laura's going to kill me."

"I think the mess in the kitchen is the least of your problems with your wife right now, Connor."

"I'm not going to do it again. I just lost control. I hadn't had a fight like that in so long, and she's so damn gorgeous."

Angel wasn't sure he believed Connor's vow that that would be the only time. He knew the desire for Anne was still there. "Did she put that bite mark on your neck?"

Connor blushed. "Um, yeah."

"Look, I know desire like this is hard to fight. But you're going to have to. This is just asking for trouble, Connor. I know you think I'm being hypocritical, but I'm telling you this because I do know. And I know the sort of bad that can come from it. Take my advice for once."

"I already told you it isn't happening again. I can control myself. I'm not an animal."

"Just keep that in mind then."

"I will." Connor stepped away. "I'm going upstairs. And I'm staying away from her, so don't think otherwise."

Angel held up his hands. "Wasn't even on my mind, I swear."

Connor gave his father a look and headed towards the stairs. He stopped when Angel called to him. "Did they call her anything?"

Connor stopped, turning back around. "Who?"

"Anne. They called you her mate. What did they call her?"

"The vessel."

If it was possible, Angel grew a little paler. "The vessel? Please tell me you used some kind of birth control with her."

"It…it didn't exactly cross my mind. I wasn't thinking clearly."

"Dammit! Could you possibly be anymore of an idiot?"

"It was a mistake, Angel. On lots of levels. I get that. And if there are consequences, I'll deal with them."

"No, you don't get it. Buffy said these demons had been talking about a prophecy. Something connected to Anne. And 'vessel' in prophecy talk can refer to several things—one of which is a woman who carries some sort of special child."

Connor's eyes widened. "And you pair that with 'mate.' Oh god no…"

"There could be serious consequences to this Connor. What the hell were you thinking?"

"I don't know! I just snapped! The fighting, and the blood…" He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "You really think she might be pregnant?"

"It's a possibility. Not like we can know right away or anything, but… Did you even talk to her about it afterwards? See if she uses any kind of birth control?"

"No."

"Connor…"

"I know. Believe me. The last time I had any part in creation…" Connor trailed off. "I need to stay away from her. I need to get out of here…"

"No. You're not going out there alone."

"Angel."

"No, Connor. Those demons are apparently after you, too. Until we find out exactly why, I don't want you where I can't help you fight if it comes to it. This is a big hotel. Just stay in a room far, far away from hers."

"Yeah, okay. I'm gonna go…find one of those now."

"Keep yourself in check, Connor."

"I will."


Cordelia watched Anne as the girl walked into the room, sitting down on the bed, her bag still in her hands. "Do you have everything you need? Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine, Cordelia. Thank you." Anne looked away, hoping Cordelia would get the hint and leave her alone.

Cordelia got the hint. But she had plans that didn't involve taking it. "He's just as confused as you are, you know. Just as scared."

Anne looked up sharply. "I'm not scared."

"Can I sit down and talk to you for a moment?"

Anne sighed, scooting over to give Cordelia room. "If you must."

"I don't know all the details. The Powers tell me what they tell me on a need to know basis, and they apparently don't think I should know everything here. But I can tell you it's going to be okay."

"It doesn't feel okay," Anne mumbled.

"I know, sweetie." Cordelia tucked a streak of bleached hair behind Anne's ear, making the girl flinch. "Things are going to be difficult for a while. But it's all happening for a reason. Not sure of the exact reason, but I do know that much."

"So it could be a bad reason?" Anne asked.

"I don't know…but I don't think so."

"You know, too, don't you," Anne said. "I know Angel does. Could probably smell it."

"Yeah, I do. I knew it would happen the second Angel told me he'd sent you two off together."

Anne narrowed her eyes at Cordelia. "And you didn't say anything?"

"Not my place. It would've happened no matter what I did. Some things aren't able to be stopped. They're just forces of nature."

"And that's what it is with Connor and me?" Anne's eyes and tone softened as she asked that, and Cordelia could see the scared little girl peeking through. She wished she could do more, could say more, but she knew she'd already said too much.

"Yes."

"Forces of nature tend to be destructive."

"I know." Cordelia smiled softly at Anne. "Do you want to talk about it? I promise anything you say to me will stay with me. I won't tell Angel, Connor, your parents—anybody."

Anne didn't know what she thought of Cordelia. She didn't know the woman too well, other than that she'd had been with Angel for several years and that she'd gone to high school with her mother. And that she was some sort of Higher Being with psychic powers. But she did want someone to talk to. Back home, she had her best friend Rebecca to confide in, but here, she felt so alone. Cut off. "I can't help wanting him," Anne admitted. "Even when I try not to, I do. From the moment he walked into the lobby and I saw him, it hit me. There was something between us, and when we fought those demons that attacked earlier, it just exploded. It was violent, and passionate, and…and wonderful. But Connor just walked away from it. Tried to act like it meant nothing." Anne felt tears stinging her eyes at that admission and she hated it. She hated to feel vulnerable, especially in front of someone she barely knew.

"I don't think it meant nothing to him, Anne. I think he's just scared—like you. It has to be powerful for him, too, and he doesn't know how to handle it. Connor's afraid of that part of himself. It's caused him a lot of trouble in the past. It's why he married Laura in the first place. He wanted to bury it, to just live a normal, calm life."

"But he can't do that. It isn't who he is."

"I know. And he'll figure that out. It's just going to be a hard road for a while. But things will smooth out. Can you trust me on that much?"

Anne nodded. "I think so."

Cordelia patted Anne's leg. "Why don't you get some rest? It'll help, make you feel better."

"Okay."

Cordelia stood up. "Good. Let me know if you need anything, all right?"

"I will. And Cordelia?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."


Connor had gotten as far away from Anne as he could and still be in the same building, yet he could still feel her. It was like she was calling to him, beckoning him to her side. He wanted to feel her again, to run his hands along her smooth skin. His body ached and throbbed, craving her in a way he'd never known possible.

He forced himself to fight it, to remain in control. He'd already gone too far, possibly made a mistake that could never be corrected. What his father had brought to his attention regarding a prophecy chilled him to the core as he thought about what a possible child between the two of them could bring.

The image of Jasmine's true face was forever burned into his mind…

The man he was now was far removed from the boy who had blindly accepted his sick mockery of a "daughter." Yet he still remembered the pain from it all, still remembered what it felt like when her head collapsed against is hand like a rotted melon.

He'd sworn years ago that he would never again take that chance, never again create life with a woman. The risk was too great. He was something inhuman, something tainted. He couldn't unleash the evil inside of him on the world again.

And he'd forgotten all of that with Anne. He'd always been so careful in the past, taking strong precautions to ensure that he didn't become a father. He'd never even begun to have sex without a least one form of contraceptive in place. He'd never let himself lose control to the point where that wouldn't be at the front of his mind.

But Anne had made him forget he should care. He'd looked at her after that battle, and one word had coursed through his mind.

Mate

If what he'd done today had left Anne pregnant with his child, Connor would never forgive himself. It went beyond the knowledge that such a thing would destroy both their lives. It could destroy the world.

He needed to know. There was a chance that she had taken care of things, that she was on a form of birth control he wasn't aware of. If she could just tell him that yes, she was covered, he could sleep easily. He could know that he hadn't put the world in danger with a moment of uncontrolled lust.

He'd go to her and ask her. Put his mind at ease. Then he'd leave. Go back to his own room and sleep the night alone. Simple as that. He wasn't succumbing to the need to be with her. He was simply checking up to make sure too much damage hadn't been done.

Connor got out of the bed, sneaking through the halls towards Anne.


If you're wondering what Cordelia's doing all not dead, go to my profile and read the fic I've just started entitled "After Death." It's still a WIP, too, but it will explain that soon.

And please, if you're reading and enjoying this story, do leave a review. Only a handful of people are saying anything, and I'm not sure if this one actually has any readership.