Balance chp 4: United and Divided

Dawn, Molly, Rona, Kennedy, Vi and Amanda were in Dawn's room, just lounging around, and off course doing what girls do best,

"What do you think of that black man?" asked Molly

"He was cute, kinda macho." smiled Vi

"Yeah but what about that dark, spiky haired guy, he was sooo hot!" sighed Rona rolling onto her stomach on the bed.

"That's Angel, he's my sisters ex-boyfriend, just to tell you, plus he's a vampire with a soul!" chuckled Dawn, amused at the shocked looks on the potentials faces.

"Whoa! How many are there?" asked Amanda incredulously

"Just the two… I think, but they got them in totally different ways, Angel was cursed with his, Spike went through trials for his."

"He was cursed? What do you mean?"

"He was cursed by gypsies in Romania, to suffer by remembering all the people he's killed, but if he experiences one moment of true happiness it's bye, bye broody good guy, hello scary evil Scourge of Europe."

"You mean Angelus?" asked Molly wide eyed

"Yup!"

"But he was one of the worst vampires there was."

"Now he's one of the best!"

"Hey I thought we agreed no slayer or slayer related talk!" chided Kennedy with a smile

"Right, so what about that guy with the stubble, he was hot!"

"Yeah, especially if you knew what he looked like before, a snotty, full of himself watcher! I gotta say I'm already loving the new Wesley."

"Mmm he is good looking but we all know who the cutest is!" smiled Vi slyly

"Yeah only problem is he's clearly taken!"

"That cute guy that was with Calista?"

"Duh!"

"Omigod! How cute is he? I mean seriously if he weren't with someone all ready I would be doing everything in my power to be catching his eye!" Dawn gushed

"Well I'd like to see you try!" chuckled Calista leaning on the doorframe; the door had been open the whole time. Dawn blushed in embarrassment. "Giles wants you all down in the lobby for a briefing with him Buffy and Angel."

"Ok!" they said blushing and rushed past her. She watched them disappear and then turned around to see Connor watching her with a small smile, leaning on the wall. She smiled and walked up to him slowly. As she reached him he put his hands on her hips and pulled her close enough to kiss her. She responded happily and their kiss deepened, finally they broke apart and Connor said in a husky voice,

"Lets go to our room!" Calista liked the way he said 'our room', they hurried to the room and no sooner had the door closed did they find each other's mouths again. They walked over to the bed and lay down on it and continued to kiss passionately yet softly and gently.

"Mmm! Connor!" she whispered seductively kissing along his jaw as he gently stroked her hair. Her stomach was pressed against his and he felt the kick at the same time as Calista. They both began to laugh happily and she tucked her head under his chin. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed contentedly. Calista chuckled lightly suddenly and she said quietly

"Do you remember when we first kissed?" Connor laughed lightly and nodded

"Yeah!" and closed his eyes as he remembered,

(Flashback)

In Qour-Toth, Daniel was going to go hunting while the two fifteen year olds stayed in the cave relaxing after a strenuous fight with a herd of sluks. He walked out and disappeared into the hills. Steven watched him go then turned and went inside to find Calista draped over the animal skin blankets, in her animal skin clothes, they were really no different from Steven's except she didn't have the trophies Steven wore across his chest, and her clothes showed her, for lack of a better word, assets. Steven's eyes lingered on her chest for a second then quickly looked at her face. He said teasingly

"What makes you think you deserve to lie there? I killed the most demons, so I should get the blankets!"

"Oh come on, there's enough for both of us here!" said Calista stretching luxuriously and then scooting over towards the wall. Steven went and sat on the pile leaning back so his shoulders rested against the wall and his backside was pressed against her hip. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"There's enough room to lie down as well, you know!" Steven shot her an amused glance, and slowly lay down on his back. She lay on her side, and snuggled into him, he put his arm around her shoulder and she rested her head on his chest. She buried her face into his chest softly and sighed happily.

"You smell nice!" she murmured already half asleep. Steven blushed and muttered thanks as he dug his back into the blankets trying to get comfy. Soon they were both asleep. During the night Calista moved so she was lying on top of him their legs intertwined and her forehead resting on his chin. Steven woke up a few hours later to see her like this and was intrigued by how much he liked it. He found his eyes drawn to her lips and felt an overwhelming urge to feel them on his own. He swallowed and gently took her chin in his hand, almost unconsciously and tilted her face gently up slightly. She stirred at his touch and he quickly let go, his face quickly going red. She opened her eyes and saw Steven looking at her strangely, his face flushed from something. She looked at him questioningly and noticed he was staring at her lips not her eyes. She shifted to try to look at him better but she accidentally rubbed against him and made him jump from the new sensation he got from it. They both looked down at where the feeling had come from and Steven burned in shame and embarrassment as she giggled in amusement. She looked back at his face and saw his face and her smile dropped slightly.

"Sorry! Just… wait what were you doing?" she asked her eyes narrowing

"What do you mean?" asked Steven innocently

"I felt you moving my face as I slept and then when I looked at you, your eyes were looking at my lips!" she said accusingly

"I was not!"

"Were too!"

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"Was-" Steven was cut off by the fact that her lips touched his, gently, experimentally, a few times, then pulled away. She looked as shocked as he was,

"Uh… I um…" she started to stammer when Steven took her chin gently and kissed her softly but fully! She lingered there but then sharply pulled away.

"What? Why?" she breathed

"I honestly don't know! But I liked it!"

"Me too!" She quickly kissed him again this time her tongue slid along his lips, asking for entrance. He granted it and slid his own into her mouth and his hands found her hips, while her hands rested on his chest. Calista pulled away and began to kiss along his jaw. As she made her way down his neck, he kissed along her temples, then made his own way down her neck sucking her skin at the curve of her neck, she moaned lightly and murmured,

"That feels so nice!"

"Rea-lly!" drawled Steven suggestively and he sucked there again, this time swirling his tongue around gently on the skin. She gasped and made a noise of contentment.

"Yes! Oh god that feels good!" she whispered, raining feather light kisses on his face. They rolled over so Steven was pressing her to the ground. His kissed her deeply and she pulled him closer, making their bodies press against one another. He pulled away and saw she was a bit breathless, and her lips were red. He knew he was really no different.

"What's wrong?" she asked thinking he had stopped because of something bad. He smiled and shook his head gently, saying quietly,

"Nothing." He kissed her lightly, resting his hands on her hips. She rolled them over and pulled away smiling, her eyes twinkling mischievously, he suddenly realised how beautiful she really was. Of course he had always thought she was the prettiest thing in Qour-Toth but now it really struck him. He swallowed deeply and then kissed her softly on the lips. When he pulled back and saw her face, with her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted. Her skin was glowing with a heavenly light, and her hair, which was blonde, and usually tied back in a twisted bun had fallen out of it and curls were framing her face. She truly was her name. Her eyes opened and she smiled again, gently stroking his face.

She then lay down by his side, saying softly as he looked put out that she had stopped, "We should go slowly, I'm in no rush, are you?" he shook his head, agreeing with her, besides Daniel would be back any second and he was pretty sure he wouldn't want to walk in on that sort of thing.

(End Flashback)

"That was a good night!" she smiled, Connor nodded kissing her softly, then began to tickle her sides. She squealed and squirmed trying to get away, but Connor had her pinned between his arms and was merciless. She giggled uncontrollably and tried to tickle back but Connor just doubled up on his attack and refused to stop until she was a giggling heap. Then and only then did he stop and help her sit up. She was breathless and giddy and almost fell out of the bed. He caught her and helped her sit up and rested his forehead against hers. She smiled broadly and sighed, trying to catch her breath.

"Maybe we should go downstairs and find out what's happening!" Connor murmured, she nodded and he helped her stand up. Together they walked down to the lobby in time to hear Buffy finish up her speech to the potentials,

"…because the lives of two unborn babies are at stake here and as woman we have a instinctive duty to protect them! And we will! Now get to bed and get as much sleep as possible and no talking or anything we need everyone ready at a moments notice and well rested!" the potentials got up and only then did they notice Connor and Calista, standing there. Calista's lips were red and her face was a bit flushed from the tickling attack Connor had hit her with.

"Connor! Something wrong?" asked Angel, he was a little on the paranoia side of things right now.

"No we just wanted to see what the plan is." Connor answered casually

"Uh well we really haven't got one yet!" admitted Fred, "We need to get the potentials trained up and all that, figure out how The First and Cordelia are connected and how of course Calista's pregnancy is involved."

"Well L.A. is still a war zone out there, maybe tomorrow we can get the potentials out and slaying the demons and vampires that are out there!" suggested Angel, remembering how many demons and other evil creatures had been around at the time when he was Angelus and free.

"Yeah good idea so if we take every one tomorrow and that includes all normal people we can try and clean up the town!" said Buffy nodding

"Uh does that whole everyone include me because really I'd rather hold the base!" said Lorne worriedly

"And I'm a little tired and I just know you'd all just be watching me and not each others backs so maybe Lorne and I could stay and watch the hotel." said Calista sitting down on the step.

"Good idea, I mean I didn't mean you when I said every body and I suppose someone should be here in case of some problem. That can be Lorne and Dawn."

"Yes, yes, I could be a babysitter, or mommy sitter, I mean I watch that little tyke over there when he was a little tiny tot!" said Lorne quickly, pointing at Connor who shared an embarrassed look with Calista. A few of the potentials giggled at what Lorne said, but were silenced by a sharp look from Buffy.

"Ok, now, Willow, Giles, Xander, Robin and Andrew will be coming so will Wesley, Fred and Gunn be coming?"

"Of course!" said Wesley

"Sure!" nodded Fred

"Finally we're doing something in my area of expertise!" grinned Gunn.

"Uh Buffy, I'm coming too!" said Dawn stepping forward determinedly. Buffy instantly shook her head

"No way you are going to stay here with Calista and Lorne!"

"But Buffy you said everyone including normal people would be going and yet I can't go?"

"Yes!"

"That's so hypocritical!"

"Buffy if she comes she'll have more then thirty people looking out for her!" said Angel quietly, Buffy looked at him then back at her sister.

"If you get killed I am so telling!" she said to her sister. Dawn squealed and hugged Angel screaming 'Thank you, thank you, thank you', in his ear! Connor chuckled at the pained expression on his dad's face.

"This reminds me of you!" he said to Calista who looked affronted

"How?"

"Well every time me and Daniel went out hunting you always pestered him and me to go!"

"Well you try finding something to do in a cave for a whole day!" she shot back

"But the reason was the same as the one here!"

"Doesn't matter I still should have been allowed to learn how to fight!"

"Well you did eventually!" Calista thought for a moment then inclined her head and said

"Yeah that's true and I was really glad you taught me how to track and not Daniel!"

"Yeah his methods weren't exactly the best even if they were effective." agreed Connor

"Yeah the whole tying you to trees and leaving you there was a little scary."

"Yeah but I always escaped!"

"Yeah! After about thirty days!"

"Hey that was just in the beginning once it only took me five days!"

"I suppose!" they then noticed everyone was staring at them in open shock!

"Uh Connor?"

"Yeah dad?"

"How old were you when Holtz starting that training?" Calista and Connor looked at each other and then Calista asked him

"Six?"

"I think five, at least around those ages! Why?"

"You were five and Holtz tied you to trees, and left you?"

"Yeah! So I could escape and then follow his and Calista's scent. Five days is my best time!" said Connor nonchalantly

"Five days! Five days, Jesus Connor you were five!" exclaimed Angel angrily

"Yeah, I was five, so? I had to learn all of this to kill my father's family's murderer as he continuously reminded me!" snapped Connor getting annoyed. Calista sat up and rested her hand on his shoulder and whispered

"Talk about this later Connor, like when it's just you and Angel! Not when there's more then thirty strangers between you!" Connor looked at her and backed down. Angel was shaking with anger, how dare Holtz do that to his son! He's human, he has a soul for gods sake! Buffy quickly ushered the potentials out of the lobby and upstairs. Connor turned to leave and took Calista's hand. She held back and told him she just wanted to get a drink, he could go up ahead. He nodded and left. Calista walked into the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water and took a large gulp. She wiped her mouth and turned to find Angel right in her face looking murderous

"You're going to tell me everything that Holtz did to Connor!" he said threateningly. Calista wasn't fazed.

"Sorry you'll have to ask him about it. It isn't my place to tell." Angel slammed his hands down onto the counter, trapping her between them.

"No you're gonna tell me!" She glared at him fiercely and before he knew it she backhanded him across the kitchen.

"Lets get a few thing clear! First I am not someone who can be bullied! Second I am not afraid of you! Thirdly I've seen everything that Connor has gone through and I've had to pick up the pieces! And fourthly you can threaten me all you want but I know you won't hurt me, just like you couldn't kill Darla in the arcade because you could hear Connor's heartbeat and feel his soul! You can sense my babies souls and hear their heartbeats." With that said she spun on her heels and walked out.

"Not your best way to get information." commented Wesley dryly stepping into the kitchen and helping Angel to his feet.

"Yeah I noticed." grumbled Angel straightening his clothes

"Angel she's right though you should ask Connor, not force it out of Calista. That'll probably make things worse between you and your son." Before Angel could say anything he turned and left him alone.


Gunn headed to his room when he stopped as Fred stopped at the same door and he remembered that they shared the room. Evidently she remembered as she saw him come up behind her. They stared at each other uncomfortably, they hadn't really spoken since Gunn and Wesley had fought and Fred got hurt by accident.

"Oh, Charles, um hi." she said nervously.

"Hey." he returned quietly, "Um Fred? Can we talk?"

"Sure." She said opening the door and stepping inside. He followed and quietly shut the door, then turned to her. She was nervous, he could tell because she was fidgeting.

"Ok, let me start by saying I'm so sorry for hitting you, I didn't mean to, but then again I shouldn't have been fighting with Wes in the first place." She nodded in acknowledgement. They stood in uncomfortable silence then Gunn said desperately "C'mon Fred, say something, anything, I need to know what's gonna happen between us, are we over, do we still have a chance, what?"

"I don't know Charles, I mean, things are just so messed up." she said sadly, her Texas accent becoming stronger as she got worked up. "I mean why? Why did you kill him? I was the one he hurt, I wanted to do it, and you-"

"Did what I couldn't let you do," cut in Gunn, "Fred, I couldn't let you become a murderer, it's not who you are."

"It's not who you are either Charles!" she said angrily, "It's your hands his blood is on, it should have been mine, you had no right to interfere!"

"Just like you had no right making out with Wes!" retorted Gunn.

"You don't own me!" she snapped, enraged by his sexist words, "I can do what I like!"

"I don't want to own you, but I can't help but feel like that when I walk in on my supposed girlfriend and ex-friend making out!"

"It just happened Gunn, like that!" she snapped her fingers sharply. "And if you want to know, I pushed him away!" Gunn sighed softly, and murmured

"Look at us, we're yelling at each other, look Fred all I want is a straight answer, are we over, or not, it comes down to your choice and whatever you decide… I'll go with it." Fred swallowed as tears welled up in her eyes and now that the whole thing was laid out in front of her she knew what she had to do. She came closer and put her hand on his chest, and said

"I'm sorry Charles, but I just can't-" she sighed, "It's over." Gunn swallowed hard and nodded. She hugged him and said in his ear softly, "Please say we can be friends."

"Forever." He promised, hugging her back.


Night's Darkness