-1Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, I appreciate each and every one of them. Since you all have been so nice, and it was a long holiday weekend, you get two chapters this time. The second chapter is a bit fluffy, but I figured what the hell.
Chapter 4: The City of Lost Angels
It was nearly noon before Cordelia and the Halliwell sisters found a reputable diamond merchant who was willing to pay the true value of the exquisite diamond that Champion had to sell. With a cashier's check in hand they next went to the bank and cashed it.
"You are sure that we cannot convince you to open an account with us today?" The bank manager asked again.
"No thank you." Cordelia smiled "When we get back home, obviously we will be opening an account. However, not today." Cordelia snapped shut her purse that now contained ten thousand dollars in cash, plus a very large cashiers inside.
The group made it's way outside, Champion's eyes immediately went back to staring at the sky scrapers. Still in awe that man could have built such marvels.
"They seem to kiss the heavens." He remarked to the women.
Smiling her 100 watt smile, Cordelia flagged down a cab, "Well, let's get shopping!"
Two hours later the group left the first store loaded down with many bags. They were walking down the street towards their next destination, when they heard the crying. Looking down the alley, they saw an old woman sitting on the ground, next to her a turned over shopping cart with it's contents strewn around the ground. The four women knew instantly that she was homeless, five rough looking men in their twenties were down further the alley looking through a suitcase. Champion walked towards the old woman.
"Champion! Wait!" Paige called out to him, then followed the others right by her side.
Champion reached the old woman, and knelt by her side. The others stopped right behind him.
"What saddens thy heart old mother?" he asked gently
Tear stained crystal clear blue eyes met his, "Those men, they knocked me down, they took all of my belongings. The last of my possessions, the pictures of my husband and our children.
Champion spotted the men, then turned back to the woman, "Let not thy heart be troubled, old mother, I will retrieve thy belongings. Dry thy tears now, for eyes as lovely as thine were not meant for tears."
Standing Champion turned to the women, "I shall return in a moment." he told them and stalked down the alley. Apprehensively they all watched him.
The largest of the men spotted Champion first, "What the hell you want man?" he demanded, putting the silver frame he had been looking at back in the bag
"Thou hast taken what does not belong to thee. I shall give thee but one chance to return it to it's rightful owner." Champion said angrily
The flick of knives could be heard, as all five of the toughs were now armed with knives.
"I don't know what the hell you just said." The man sneered, "But this is ours now, by the way I like your jacket, and that's going to be mine now too."
The man's hand reached for Champions jacket, Champion grabbed the hand and twisted it violently, the bone breaking sounded like a rifle shot. The man grabbed his wrist and screamed in agony. Champion then kicked the man in the head, knocking the man ten feet into a pile of smelly garbage
"I think not." Champion said darkly as he looked to the others. They all turned tail and ran.
"Cowards." Champion shook his head in disgust as he collected the old woman's belongings and went back towards her.
Handing her the bag, "Here old mother, thy belongings."
"Thank you young man." The woman smiled widely hugging her last remaining relics to herself, "God bless you."
Champion nodded his head, "Thank thee, and may the good Lord smile upon thee as well." Reaching in to his pocket, Champion drew out some bills. Pulling off several hundred dollar bills he handed them to the old woman.
"For thee old mother."
The old woman broke down in tears staring at the money now in her hands. Grabbing Champions hand, she kissed it, gently Champion placed his hand on her head, as if bestowing a blessing on her.
Piper stared at him, in that one moment, Champion stood tall with his shoulders back and smiling. Piper swore he looked like a great lord at that moment. The way a knight of the round table would act.
As the group walked away to continue their shopping, Piper couldn't help but ask.
"Why did you help her?"
Champion looked to her surprised, "She needed help, it is my duty, it is what I am sworn to do. To protect the innocent from the tyranny of others. It is the duty of all, to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
It was almost sundown, when the shopping trip finally ended back at the Halliwell residence. Cordelia entered the house loaded down with bags, spotted the men sitting in the living room watching television.
"Hey guys, could you give us a hand with the bags?" she asked then went to her husband, as Spike and Wesley went outside.
"Hey you, I missed you." she smiled
"I missed you too." Angel admitted as he kissed his bride "I thought maybe you weren't coming back." he joked
"How's Conner?" she asked
"He's good, he ate and now he's taking his nap. He spent most of the day playing with
Wyatt."
Cordelia smiled excitedly "So Connor made a new friend, that's wonderful."
Angel nodded in agreement, glad this his son had a new playmate, "So how did the shopping go, any trouble?"
"A little, a bunch of punks robbed an old homeless woman. Champion took care of it quickly enough."
"What?" Angel asked shocked, "You didn't get hurt did you?" he asked nervously looking over his wife carefully.
Cordelia smiled ruefully at her husbands over protectiveness, "Relax honey, I'm fine, nothing happened to me, they didn't even get close to us."
Leo, Spike and Wes came back in with arm loads of bags followed by Champion and the Halliwell sisters also carrying bags.
Angel stared at the mounds of bags amazed, "Do the shops around here have anything left?" he asked jokingly.
Cordelia shrugged, "Nothing worth buying. We had to buy some suitcases as well to pack all this stuff into." taking off her jacket, she added "Oh by the way, I stopped at the hotel and got our stuff and checked us out. That way we can leave here and go directly back home."
"Good thinking." Angel smiled, always thinking ahead, that was Cordelia, the practical one.
Clapping her hands, Cordelia got down to the business of packing bags. "Okay, I'll take care of this and we can go.
"Okay" Piper headed upstairs, "That will give us sometime to pack our stuff and get the kids ready to move. I guess we can find a hotel when we get there."
"No way." Cordelia shook her head, "We have a hotel with plenty of rooms. You will stay with us."
Phoebe bit her lip, "We don't want to crowd you, or be in the way."
Angel shook his head, "You won't be any trouble what so ever, we have 200 plus rooms, you can have your choice of the ones that we have fixed up." he promised
"200 rooms? And you guys don't rent them out?" Leo asked amazed
Spike shrugged as he sat back watching Cordelia pack, "Well, there is the whole thing that it used to be haunted and a lot of people either went insane or died there. People aren't so anxious to check in to a place you might not check out of."
At the looks of shock, Wes quickly added "We did get rid of the evil spirit that was haunting the hotel. It's just that people have long memories."
"That…" Cordelia added "And the fact that we didn't have the money to really fix the place up completely at the time. Still now after a few very wise investments, we're doing a few rooms at a time, when we have time that is to say. Most of the place is still uninhabitable."
It was after midnight, when the three cars finally reached the Hyperion Hotel. Walking through the front doors, the other half of the fang gang met them.
"Yo peoples!" Gunn called out happy to see his family back home safe
"Cordy!" Fred called out happily and ran to hug her
"Fred" Cordelia smiled and hugged her back "Gunn, how's everything going?" she asked
"Been quiet." Gunn admitted "We were just enjoying movie night." he added as he looked at the strangers curiously. Fred hid a bit behind Gunn, still a bit nervous around others.
Cordelia noticed immediately and tried to belay Fred's fears.
"Guys let me introduce you to our new friends from San Francisco." Turning to the
Halliwell's "This is Fred, half of the brains of Angel investigations, and Gunn a third of the muscle. This is Phoebe, Paige, and Piper, that's Leo, and this little handsome one is Wyatt and the baby is Chris."
Gunn and Fred shook hands with the others.
Fred especially looked excited, "Wow, really the Charmed ones? I've heard so much about you, well actually, I have read about you. Wow that is really a cute baby, sort of reminds me of Conner at that age. I am so glad that you could come. We…." Fred stopped her rapid commentary as she stared at the surprised faces of the Halliwell's,
"Sorry…" Fred bit her lip and looked to Cordelia "I'm doing it again aren't I." she said embarrassed
Cordelia hugged her best girlfriend, "You wouldn't be you if you did it any differently."
Smiling Fred bounced over and rubbed Connor's stomach.
"Hey Conner did you enjoy your trip?" she asked brightly
Looking around Angel asked "Where's Lorne?"
"Ah taking my name in vain?"
Piper, Paige and Phoebe were shocked to see the green skinned, red-eyed demon, dressed in very loud clothing, that actually looked really good on him. Not just anyone could look that good dressed that loudly. Some how though, the man pulled it off.
"My, my, my." Lorne looked at the assembled group "New visitors. A couple of cupcakes as well." he said eyeing Leo and Champion.
Eyeing Champion, Lorne cocked his head, "Have we met before?" he asked, as he felt familiar feelings coming over him.
"Indeed Master Lorne, we have met once before." Champion inclined his head
"I know that voice." Lorne smiled "I see that you visited that hairdresser." he shook the man's hand
"Ladies." Lorne bowed over their hands "It is such a pleasure to meet you ladies…The charmed ones, you don't say. I hope you can teach these guys here something about magic." he sighed dramatically, "Whenever this lot does it, it always seems to go wrong somehow."
Staring at the confused faces of the Charmed ones, Angel almost laughed, "Lorne is a Pylean demon, he can read your mind."
"Only if you sing for me." Lorne smiled then turned to Spike who was holding a droopy eyed Connor in his arms.
"Ah there is my little button, all tuckered out from his long trip. Did you miss uncle Lorne?" he asked holding out his arms.
Carefully Spike placed Connor into the demon's arms.
"I'll just pop this one upstairs and put him to bed." Lorne excused himself and made his way up the stairs.
Champion watched the others, his head beginning to spin. Confused he grabbed the back of the chair in front of him. He began to sway more, and his confusion and the disoriented feelings grew by the second.
Fred was the first to see what was happening, "Is something wrong?" she asked a bit frightened by the man
Piper looked at him, "Champion? What's wrong?" she asked nervously
Champion shook his head violently trying to rid himself of the light headedness that was settling down upon him.
"I know not Lady Piper." Champion grabbed his head "I feel strange, light headed, my stomach…"
Cordelia stared at Champion and thought, then it suddenly hit her, "Champion, when was the last time you ate?"
"Huh?" Champion looked at the woman totally confused
"Wes!" Cordelia called out quickly, "Bring one of those candy bars from your desk. Hurry!"
Wes hurried and was by Cordelia's side in seconds holding out the candy bar.
Taking it, Cordelia quickly tore off the wrapper and fed it to Champion.
"Eat!" she ordered
As Champion began to chew, Cordelia turned to Angel, "Angel make him something, he needs to eat, his blood sugar is low."
Finishing the candy bar, Champion felt the sudden rush of sugar into his system. He felt his head become less foggy and things were coming back into focus. However, now his stomach was growling furiously.
"Thank you Princess." Champion sighed, "I am feeling much better."
Paige looked to Cordelia, "What happened?"
Cordelia shrugged, "I just realized, I haven't seen Champion eat since we have met him. Then all the running around of today, I figured his blood sugar must be really low."
"The sugar in the candy bar gives a sugar rush." Leo nodded in understanding as he held Champion's shoulder keeping him upright.
Piper looked to the man angrily, didn't the man have any sense at all. Was he so incapable of taking care of himself.
"Champion." Piper began angrily, "When was the last time that you ate, or drank anything."
"Or slept." Added Phoebe suddenly, "I don't remember him sleeping either, he was awake when we went to bed and he was awake when we got up, and he hasn't slept at all during the day or the drive here."
The three Halliwell sisters stared at their champion waiting for an answer.
"Well?" Cordelia demanded as well, also wondering what was going through the man's head.
Champion concentrated and tried to remember, "I seem to remember that it was a week before the final battle of the white kingdom. That would be the year of our lord 532." he told them "So that means 1,473 years ago."
The group looked at him in shock.
"You haven't eaten in 1473 years?" Piper asked incredulously
"Aye Lady Piper, I have not drank or slept in that time either."
"Why not?" Leo asked staring at the man in shock.
Champion shrugged helplessly and confused by their anger, had he done something wrong?
"I have had no need of it, in the place where I stay while I await thy call. There is no need for food or drink, I never feel tired so there is no need to sleep. I must always be ready to come to thy aid." he explained to the sisters.
"OH, I understand." Fred said excitedly "You were in a frozen dimension! I read about those."
"A what?" Spike asked as he lit up a cigarette
Cordelia saw the excited expression on Fred's face and knew what was coming.
"Slowly Fred." Cordelia reminded her "We want to understand you."
Smiling she nodded "Okay Cordy." Then continued, "A frozen dimension is a magical creation, not a spatial one like Pylea, or any other hell dimension, which you can get to through a gateway, like I did." Fred explained slowly to the others, "In a frozen dimension, nothing changes. There are no passing days, the sun doesn't rise or fall. There is no need of anything, because it is all just one long day, without end. Am I right Champion?" Fred asked as she sat on the edge of her seat.
Champion nodded, "Thou art correct Lady Fred, although in my case. It is a long never ending night. There I sit and wait."
Gunn looked appalled, "No changing days? No food, no sleep? Damn, that would drive me nuts!" he exclaimed, then looked to the others, "I mean how long till you run out of things to say to people?"
Champion shook his head, "No Master Gunn, I am alone in that place."
Cordelia felt her heart breaking for the amount of sheer suffering this man had been put through. No one deserved to endure what this man had, and what was worse, this man had committed no crime. He was just born in the wrong time period, the wrong place and time, and had to wait until the right time and place came along. It also explained so much, for instance why he talked to his shadow. It was like that Tom Hanks movie where he was on that island, he had talked to that volley ball, calling it Wilson. It also explained why he had not eaten at all today. It's been so long since he'd eaten anything, he probably forgot that he had to eat and drink.
"You have been alone for 1,473 years?"
No one had noticed that Angel had returned carrying a plate with a large omelet.
"You have been in hell, haven't you." Angel said softly "Worse, cause I've been to hell. At least I wasn't alone there."
Champion looked up at Angel, "Aye, I have been to hell."
Holding out the plate, Angel didn't know what else to say, "Here, eat this."
Champion took the plate, the smell of the food alone, was enough to trigger long repressed instincts. He felt his stomach growling violently and impatiently, his mouth began to salivate in anticipation of tasting actual food once again.
Grabbing the omelet in his hand, Champion began to devour the food, barely pausing to breathe. His long denied taste buds exploded and his stomach turned in excitement wanting only to be full again.
"Slow down mate." Spike grimaced a bit, it was like watching one of those nature shows where a lion tore into his prey. "No one is going to take it from you."
The omelet gone, and his face covered in egg and cheese, "I have never tasted anything like it." he said happily, his stomach growling for more.
"Here." Cordelia handed him a napkin "Wipe your mouth, Angel could you…"
"I'll make another one." Angel smiled and headed back to the kitchen
Cordelia smiled at Champion, "This time would you mind using your fork?" she joked
Confused Champion looked up, "What is a fork? Princess." he asked
Shaking her head Cordelia took him by the hand, "Ladies?" She called to Fred and the sisters, "It's about time we taught someone table manners."
"Yeah." Paige agreed feeling a bit nauseous , "I don't think I could watch that again."
"No way." Phoebe agreed, "Come along Champion."
Champion was led towards the kitchen, "Would it be possible to drink something?" he asked as the door closed.
After four omelets and a gallon of orange juice, an exhausted Champion was led to bed by Lorne and Spike. Champion was asleep before his head even hit the pillow.
Angel looked up as Spike came down the stairs,
"How's he doing?"
"Dead asleep." Spike shrugged as he picked up his steak and pulled out a battle axe
Piper looked nervous watching as the men of Angel investigations began to load themselves down with weapons.
"You guys going to war or something?" she asked lightly, yet gulping loudly when she saw the size of Angel's battle sword.
"Nightly patrol." Gunn told the women as he put away his trusty crossbow.
"Yeah" Spike grinned, cigarette dangling from his mouth, "Time to go out and kill the big and bad. Vampires, demons, the usual." he shrugged nonchalantly
Cordelia moved to her husband and kissed him quickly, "You will be careful right?"
"You know I will." Angel promised hugging the most important woman in his life tightly
Cordelia turned to the others, "You all be careful." she rubbed Spike's arm.
Spike smiled at the cheerleader, over the past year he had truly come to love and respect this woman. Cordelia had been the only one who had seen past the fact that he was a vampire, that in fact he was a creature who had reclaimed his soul. The fact that she had accepted him, had made it easier for his grand sire to accept him back as well, and from there for the rest of the team to accept him and to trust him with their lives. Spike knew that he wouldn't want his life any other way now. Back in Sunnyhell, not one of the Scooby's had ever let him forget who he was. Sure there was history there, most of it bad, yet there was history here as well, even more so considering he was with Angel again.
Yet here he was treated with respect and trust, in Sunnyhell always distrust and in fact treated pretty much like shit. It was all down to Cordelia, the cheerleader, the spoiled little rich girl, who now patched up his wounds, cooked his blood and treated him like a brother. Buffy on the other hand would come to him, when she wanted, have sex when she wanted, and hated him afterwards, throwing his love for her back into his face, as if it meant nothing. Cordelia would never do anything of that sort, she actually cared for him, not the way that Buffy did. Then again, Angel would kill him if he laid a finger on the cheerleader in a sexual way. Angel always was the jealous type. Still life or un-life if you like, was treating Spike pretty good now that he was in LA. In short, Spike knew that there was nothing that he would not do for her, or the rest of his new LA family.
"Don't worry sis." he said using his nickname for her, "I won't let anything happen to the Poof." he joked
Cordelia smiled, she knew as did Angel now, that Spike was just joking, and that calling her his sister was a term of respect and affection from him.
"Don't let anything happen to you either." she warned
Angel kissed her temple, "We'll be back in a couple of hours." he promised "Call if you need anything."
"I will." Cordelia promised
Gunn kissed Fred, "See you soon baby."
Fred nodded as Gunn followed the others out into the night.
Cordelia turned to the Halliwell's and smiled, "Well, let's get you to your rooms." Turning to Fred, "Which rooms are we putting them in?"
"I thought that Piper and Leo could have the Blue room, since it is the biggest and has the connecting door to the Green room." Looking at Leo and Piper, "I already set up Connor's old crib's in the Green room so that you can keep the babies there. Then I put Phoebe in the Lilac room and Paige in the Rose room."
Cordelia smiled, "Perfect Fred, I couldn't have done better myself." Fred smiled at the compliment, "Good, okay guys, let's get you settled in."