Arezue's about fifteen in human years. Angel was about 28 when he died, so he would've had her when he was around thirteen.

"Honestly Angel," Chided Cordelia, dusting the plants in the office. "I told you to chop off the demon's right hand – not put it on fire." Angel blinked.

"Huh?" What the hell was she talking about?

- Ring Ring - And what was that ringing noise he kept hearing?

"And don't you forget to take the cow out for a walk." Cow?

Ring Ring - He blinked, confused.

And you're going to get your tux dry cleaned for the wedding, right?" Cordelia went on. "For Gunn and Wesley's wedding?"

Ring Ring -

Gasping, Angel shot up in bed. What the hell – the phone was ringing. That was the noise.

"Ah – hello?" He buried his head back in the pillow. He was so tired…and the thought of Wesley and Gunn together vaguely disgusted him.

"Hello…" His eyes shot open at the sound of the familiar voice. It was her – Charlotte Jane – Arezue. "It's me."

"Uh, hi." What was he supposed to say? "How are you?"

"Fine." There was an abrupt pause. "I need your help." Her voice was tense and low enough so that if he didn't have vampire hearing he wouldn't have heard at all.

"Is there someone there with you?" There was shuffling on the other end.

"Uh, Yeah. Jack or Jason or something." There was a pause. "Just some guy." He shrugged, even though he knew she couldn't see it. They both knew that she was implying that it was none of his business and that she had no say in what she did.

'Or who she did.' Angel thought, but didn't say. He sighed.

"Charlotte Jane, I - ". He started, but was cut off.

"Arezue, it's Arezue." He gritted his teeth. Now she was pretty much saying that he didn't have a right to call her by her actual name. He scowled.

"I am not going to call you desire." He snapped angrily into the phone. 'Dammit! She is so infuriating.'

"It only means that in Arabic and a few other languages!" She snapped back at him, her voice rising. "And you don't call Spike William, do you? And nobody calls you Liam, do they?" He gritted his teeth.

'Why did I turn her again? I wish I'd just eaten her!' He thought, and then felt bad – she was technically his daughter. 'Or just tortured her a little until she became less annoying.'

"And what is up with you and Spike?" He asked, and then thought about it. "Wait, I honestly don't want you to answer that." There was a groan from the other side.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that Spike was my first real boyfriend and get it over with?" He could tell she was annoyed.

"I am not going to – Ugh!" He rolled his eyes heavenward. "I can't even say it, the thought is so disgusting."

"I walked in on you two making out – don't you think that was gross?" Arezue shot back. He knew she was still mad about that. He honestly hoped his relationship with Spike had been the reason the two'd broke up.

"Charlotte Jane - " He started, but she cut him off again.

"I hate that name." He ignored her answer. "And I bet Spike liked being with me more then you!"

"I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you." Angel told her, rolling his eyes at her childishness. "And by the way, I'd win that bet." There's a sigh from her.

"Fine, you'd win." There's defeat in her voice – which of course makes him feel bad. "Look, I wouldn't call you if I didn't really need your help. Please…" There's desperation. Angel sighed.

"I'm sorry." It's hard to say. 'I wonder if being the worst father ever is enough to damn you.' He mused, disconcertedly. There's a 'whatever' from the other side. Then suddenly he gets it.

She doesn't care how many times he apologizes – to her he's just being "daddy" all over again. And it hurts - to think that she's not even going to give him a chance to prove to her that he's changed.

"Angel," Why can't she just call him dad? His hands form fists but he says nothing. "I have to go – "There's shuffling on the other side. "Um – can we meet somewhere?" Her voice sounds frantic.

"Uh sure…" He frowned. "Why again?" He realizes how uncaring it sounds the moment he says it. "I mean, what's the problem – you never told me." There's a thud from the other side and some more shuffling.

"Look I can't talk about it right now – " Her speech is rushed, there's static on the other side. " We have to meet up as soon as possible." She lowers her voice. "And I'm pretty sure the phone's tapped." Her voice sounds strangely uncomfortable. "I really need your help, please." It comes out strangled and he isn't really surprised. It's probably very humiliating for her to have to turn to him for help after everything that's happened between them.

"Okay." Angel says, running his fingers through his hair. "Tomorrow." He gives her the address for the Hyperion. "When will you – " He starts but she cuts him off abruptly.

"Whenever I can." There's a pause. "I don't really know when I can get out without being spotted." He blinked – spotted by whom? But before he can ask, she's already talking.

"I really have to go – and thank you." 'Thank you', the words are simple but they hurt. He might have ignored her for the last few decades, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care at all.

"Sure," He has nothing else to say. "See you."

"Bye." He doesn't hang up and wonders if she has – but there's no 'click'.

"Charlotte Jane?" He finally asks, hesitating.

"Yeah?" Her voice is blank, as if she too has no idea what to say. He decides to just come out and say it.

"You do know that I love you, right?" There's a gasp and a strangled sob from the other side before the line goes dead. Angel hangs up, wondering if he's done the right thing or just managed to alienate her even more.

"I won't screw up this time." He vows. "I'll prove that I can be a good father – that I've changed." He groans at this sudden thought.

"Great, now I'm going to spend all night trying to come up with ways to do that." Shaking his head, he reaches over and turns the light off.

SS4EVA