A/N: Thanks to everyone who read this and reviewed - I really do appreciate any and all feedback! I definitely have to apologise for leaving this (and a lot of my other stories) hanging for so long - all I can say in my defense is that real life has a terrible habit of getting in the way of these, far more pleasant, things.
Thanks for being patient:)

2.

Blind to the sight of her former co-worker and friend, the striking brunette could only stare questioningly at Angel's son as he froze in the task of punching holes in the wall – or so it seemed to her.

"Connor, what's the matter?" she asked gently, her voice full of concern and perhaps just a hint of suspicion. "What is it?"

oh how we love you
no flaws when you're pretending

Hardening his heart to the apparent sight of the woman he loved, Doyle silently reminded himself of the same thing he had been telling Connor – this wasn't really Cordelia.

"Ah, come on, man!" he said, forcing a smirk back on his face. "Don't tell me yer actually buyin' this crap! Ya disturb her beauty sleep and she's askin' what's wrong? Where's the killer glare? The never endin' lecture? That girl had many a fine quality – sweetness and light? Not high on the list …"

"Shut UP!"

"Excuse me?" Cordelia's eyes registered surprise for a second before they narrowed slightly at Connor's unexpected outburst.

"Not you. It was … it's just …" He was quick to set the record straight, though he wasn't sure telling the whole truth was such a good idea right now either. "I've just been letting my mind run away with me, thinking about things too much … Worrying …"

"About?"

"You. Us. The baby. And …"

"Baby?" Doyle interrupted, his voice only audible to Connor's ears and obviously registering disbelief which quickly made way for pure shock when Cordelia moved closer, emerging fully from the shadows and letting him get a good look at her. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph the bleedin' carpenter!"

"Angel?" Cordelia prompted, oblivious to the presence of the Irishman.

"A little. I can't help it, I just … What if he comes after us?" Connor asked, though he remained somewhat distracted by the thought of another's presence intruding when it should be just the two of them. "Or if he sends someone else?"

"Dunno why I was so worried 'bout tellin' her I'm half demon …" Doyle mused, more to himself than to anyone else. "What is it wi' that girl and gettin' hersel' knocked up by any random hell spawn! The Powers kept that little gem quiet …"

"Oh, Connor …" sighed Cordelia, moving closer to him and reaching out to caress his cheek lovingly with her hand. "My dear, sweet Connor – you worry too much."

"But …"

"No buts. If they want to come, let them. Soon it will be too late – our baby will have brought into the world and everything will change … For the better. They can't hurt us." she explained, her voice low and soothing as she wrapped him in a gentle embrace.

Unconvinced but trying to hide his concerns, Connor merely nodded and then looked pointedly over her shoulder towards the makeshift bed. "You should get some more rest." he said softly.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course – go on." he said, managing to produce the ghost of a smile.

"Always looking after me …" Cordelia smiled tenderly, brushing her lips against his before turning on her heel. "You'll make a wonderful father, Connor." she added without turning back to him, "I'm proud of you."

Watching Cordelia retreat to the bed, Connor thought his unwelcome visitor had gone – or perhaps had never been there at all. However, his hopes were dashed all too soon by a voice from the shadows.

"Well, well, well … never thought I'd see the day." Doyle said, shaking his head. "A baby, huh?"

"Not that it's any of your business. I thought you said you could see everything – looks like you're not so in the loop after all." Connor smirked. "I didn't think the Powers would resort to depending on a dead lowlife like you anyway."

"Reckon if I wasn't dead that wee revelation might justa finished me off …" the Irishman confessed freely. "Planned, was it?" he asked, the young man's faltering at the question drawing a wry smile, "I dunno, kids today … Ain't ya ever heard o' bein' careful? I'm surprised at Cordy …"

"We want this baby – we both do!" Connor snapped defensively.

"Never said ya didn't. But ya need to think 'bout what else ya want …"

"I don't need anything else!"

"Ya think? Let me put it to ya this way – choose between this baby and your father."

"I've told you – I have no father since he tried to ruin my life."

"That ole riff … still, I'll let it slide since it's about the only normal kid thing I've heard ya say. Okay, choose between this baby and … for want of a less clichéd term, life as you know it."

Connor snorted derisively. "What good has this life ever held for me? Our baby means a new start, a better life for the three of us."

Though he rolled his eyes, Doyle seemed to expect that response and, instead of openly disagreeing, he simply nodded and then quickly continued. "This baby … or Cordelia?"

"There is no choice. They are both my life now."

"Choose – Cordelia or the kid."

"I don't have to choose – I have both." Connor insisted, his fists clenching in frustration.

"Choose." Doyle pushed.

"Get away from us." the angry young man seethed, "I don't know who you are or why you're here, but you're wasting your time."

"I'm here to tell ya straight – yer livin' a lie, kiddo."

but now i know she
never was and never will be

"And …" Doyle continued darkly, "I'm here to tell ya, let this happen … let this happen and lose Cordy. Ya say ya don't have to choose, but yer wrong. Ya might not have had to yet, but ya will. And no matter how much ya don't want to believe it, letting that kid come into the world means sacrificing Cordelia – can ya live with that?"

And abruptly, he was gone.

To be continued...