"I've got to get a hold of Willow." Buffy said as the two of them headed away from the bar. Dawn could only nod, too upset to actually form words. Buffy noticed and touched her shoulder lightly. "You OK?"

"Yea, I guess, it's just...how could someone do this? How could something with a soul want to kill little children?"

"I don't have the answers to that Dawnie," Buffy said with a weary sigh. "God knows I wish I did, but..." she trailed off, clearly hearing something Dawn hadn't.

"What is it?"

"Someone's following us."

"Not this again."

"I'm serious Dawn." She insisted. "I can feel it. I can sense it. Almost like a vampire, but not quite. Almost like Angel, but..."

"We are in his town." Dawn suggested. "Maybe you just think you can feel it."

"No, it's more than that. I just wish I could find him. Whoever it is, he's good." Buffy gritted her teeth and kept walking. "He can't hide for long. When I do find him, I'm going to kick his ass."

Connor watched the two of them leave the bar from the roof top and proceeded to follow them at a safe distance. He knew the slayer could somehow feel his presence which unnerved him slightly, but she had yet to notice him and he planned to keep it that way.

So that was the girl his father had fallen in love with huh? Somehow Connor just didn't see what all the fuss was about. She was pretty enough, but why go to such lengths to protect her? Did he really care about someone other than himself?

"So, doing your old dad a favour eh? Never thought I'd see the day." Angel's voice startled Connor out of his thoughts and he whirled to face his father's grim expression

"I told Cordelia I'm not following them for you." He shot back.

"I believe you. You want to tell me why you did agree to follow them?"

"None of your business." Connor sneered. He attempted to get by his father to continue pursuing his quarry, but Angel made that impossible.

"That's Buffy down there so I think it is my business." Angel told him firmly. "What's your angle Connor? You planning to attack her? It won't work, let me tell you. She's too tough. Way out of your league."

"You don't know anything about my league." Connor bluffed. "I grew up in Quartoth remember? How do you know I haven't been holding back whenever we've fought?"

"Because I know what hate looks like." Angel replied sadly. "I've seen it in your eyes when we faced each other. You're crude, sloppy and far too impulsive in battle."

"If you're so sure I don't have a chance against her, then why bother to warn me?" Connor questioned. "Why not just let me have a crack at it?"

"Because you're my son." Angel told him with a soul heavy sigh. "Whatever you want to believe about me is fine but it doesn't change that truth. Why are you following her if not to hurt her?"

"For your information, it's not Buffy I'm protecting OK? It's Dawn."

"Dawn?" Angel echoed, clearly surprised. Connor nodded.

"I saved her from a vampire when she arrived here. When Cordelia showed me the picture and said they were in danger....I didn't want her getting hurt OK? She was kind to me. I'm returning the favour."

"How can I trust you?" Angel questioned him.

"You can't." Connor replied. "Just like I can't trust you."

"Mistrust seems to be the order of the day." A female voice said from behind. The two of them turned to see Buffy and Dawn standing by the fire escape that lead up to the roof. "Who is he Angel? Why has he been following us?"