Chapter 2

While she was waiting on Connor, Faith changed into a spare set of work out clothes she kept at the hotel. Finally he arrived downstairs ready to work out.

Cordelia handed him a bottle of water and kissed his forehead. "Be careful, sweetie."

Connor grimaced when he heard Gunn laughing in the background. "Cordy!"

Faith laughed too, "Come on, mama's boy."

Cordelia watched them retreat to the basement and sighed, "I hope she doesn't hurt him too bad."

Gunn chuckled, "Yo, Cordy. You're cluckin' around here like a mother hen. The boy can take care of himself. And besides Faith knows when to stop."

Cordy rolled her eyes, "Yes, the woman that was in prison for multiple murders knows when to stop when someone's getting hurt."

Faith and Connor began a series of stretches and warm ups. Then the sparring began. Faith danced around taunting Connor, "Come on, you pansy ass. Throw something at me."

Connor threw a punch which Faith blocked easily, then he ducked down and swung his leg out trying to knock Faith off her feet. She saw it coming and jumped his feet kicking him over at the same time. She retreated letting him get up. Connor shook his hair out of his eyes, "Saw that coming, huh?"

Faith rolled her shoulders like a boxer, "Gotta get up a little earlier than that to get one over on me, junior."

Connor scowled and grumbled, "I didn't want to get up at all. And stop calling me junior."

Faith laughed and then came at him again. Connor finally found his rhythm and he and Faith began a long and tiring sparring routine.

Upstairs...

Cordelia kept casting nervous glances at the basement door, where loud noises and shouts kept coming from. When she heard something that sounded a lot like a bone breaking she got up from the round couch, and was about to drag Faith away from Connor by her hair, but just then Angel and Wes decided to come back.

Cordelia hurried over to Angel, "She's going to hurt him!" Angel went into alert mode. "What? Where? You had a vision while we were gone?"

Cordelia smacked him on the shoulder, "No, you idiotic bloodsucker! Faith. They're fighting in the basement. Her and Connor."

Angel laughed, "What did he steal her bras again or something."

Gunn hooted with laughter, "That was the funniest damn thing I ever seen. She was mad as hell when she found out he showed everyone her pink lacy bras. Didn't do much for her tough girl image."

"Yes, but the two black eyes Connor sported for the next two weeks did," Wesley said, finally speaking up.

"Relax, everyone. They're just sparrin'. They'll be fine." Fred piped in.

Angel patted Cordelia on the arm, "See sweetie, he's fine."

Cordelia pouted, "Says the man covered in slime." She frowned, "What happened at where ever you went?"

Wes took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped some of the sludge off of his face, "The old man was indeed a type of demon I have yet to research and didn't feel obligated to give up The Stone of Avin."

Fred scrunched up her nose, "Smells bad too."

Wesley sniffed, "Quite."

Cordelia backed away from Angel, "You should really go change and shower and use lots of soap."

Angel grinned evilly, "What? Afraid I might get some on you?" He took a menacing step towards her.

Cordy backed up swiftly and glared, "If you get any of that crud on this furniture, I will be forced to buy a completely new matching set!"

Angel blanched at the thought of the money that would cost, and paused for a moment and then grinned again, "Fine, I'll just keep it on you!" He lunged at her and Cordy took off for the stairs to get away from him. Angel was shocked for a moment at how fast she could move in heels, but beat her to the stairs. She screamed and ran for the other side of the lobby, he caught up to her and pulled her in a great bear hug and rubbed his gooey face all over her hair, she screamed again and then melted into laughter.

Conner came running up the stairs after hearing Cordy scream and the sounds of people running. He burst through the door and came to a skidding halt at the sight of his father and pseudo-mother making out covered in goo. "Oh God! Warning! Please a warning, there are children here!"

Faith snorted from where she had come up behind him. "Children? What happened to last week when you threw a fit, saying that you were an adult and could do whatever you want?"

Conner peeked out from the hand he had slapped over his eyes, "Extenuating circumstances."