A Distant Angel 7
Author's Note: Thanks for all your kind reviews; I'm glad so many people like this piece of fiction. I liked some of the ideas that came in for who was at the door, some people said it was Connor. Just so you know, there's a twist with this. And here it is.
Angel got up and walked over to the door, thinking that it was just Buffy. 'Yeah?' he called.
'Angel?' It was Giles. 'There's someone here to see you.' Angel opened the door, to find Giles standing alone outside. He turned back to Faith. She followed. Giles led them both to the living room where Angel saw everyone was talking to a man sitting with his back to Angel, Giles and Faith.
He had a brown leather coat, brown hair tipped with a golden-orange colour and he was leaning forward talking to Buffy, Willow and Xander. He suddenly turned around and Angel recognised him instantly.
'Lorne.' He was shocked, surprised and shaken up by the return of a friend he thought was long gone.
'Angel-cakes.' Lorne walked over and hugged him, and Angels slowly raised his arms to hug his friend back. They parted and held each other's stare.
'What are you doing here? How did you find me?' Angel fired the questions without hesitation.
'It takes a lot of work to track down a Slayer who's good on keeping her location secret.' He replied. 'I had a contact track down young Faith here, and he led me to her, where I figured that you'd be. That is, if you were still alive.' His expression changed to grim and quite reserved, and Angel smiled. Lorne looked at him, puzzled.
'I've been fine Lorne, really. And after talking about my issues with Faith and Buffy, I think I'm okay now. You don't have to be all sad and mopey, what I really need is for you to be strong and not drag me down.'
'You never were much for subtle words Angel.' Lorne said as the others joined them by their sides.
'So, you're okay now?' Willow asked cautiously.
'Yeah, I think so. I talked through things with Buffy and Faith, and I don't think that the wounds are as deep anymore. I'll never forget them, Wesley, Gunn, and Illyria. They'll always be in my heart, as will Doyle, Cordelia and Fred. The people I've lost will always be with me, as long as I let them stay.'
Angel's deep and meaningful speech touched the hearts of all those in the room.
'So, is there anything you want to do now Angel?' Lorne asked.
'Yeah, as a matter of fact there is. I want to go outside.' The small group filed out the back door and into the cool air of the evening. Angel was last to walk outside, and everybody stood back to let him do what he needed to do.
The sun had set, and all that remained was a faith orange glow over the buildings where the sun's beams began to fade. Angel looked around at his friends, knowing that they all cared for him.
'Thanks.' He said.
'Glad we could help.' Xander answered.
'Anytime.' Giles added.
'Hey Angel-cakes, isn't there someone that you want to see? A certain child?' Lorne asked.
'Connor.' Angel said simply. 'God, where would he be? I wouldn't even know where to start looking.'
'Angel, we'll go tomorrow. I got myself a van.' Lorne said, grinning. Angel grinned back, loving the idea of Lorne in a van. Hilarious.
Angel longed to see his son, just to see if he was alright, if he survived. Tomorrow would be another day for Angel, just another day.
Author's Note: Aww. How nice, Angel's finally healed. And yeah, eventually he will find Connor cause in this world he's not dead. In some others, he is. Sadly. Reviews anyone?