AN: Hey guys! So I decided to make this either into a full chapter story or a mini story, maybe 5-10 chapters, or more, I don't know. This type of fanfiction does not get a lot of traffic, but I love it too much to leave it where I left it.

So just to clarify this takes place a few years after Edward leaves, and Bella is trying to put the past behind her. She also has Victoria somewhere out there, and this new breed of vampire. If you are familiar with the Angel universe, Connor and Angel have had their struggles, but I will be changing their animosity up a bit. Cordelia was never sent to a higher plane, Wesley is still an outcast, and Fred and Gunn are still together. So this is amid Season 3 and 4 of Angel.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 2: Sanity is a Misfortune

It's been just hours that Connor has brought Bella to the Hyperion, and she was sound asleep. Angel and Cordelia were talking softly about what it all meant, wondering how much their lives, specifically Connor's life would change. "He has a purpose now. This is his destiny." Cordelia had a wide smile on her face, finally at ease knowing that Angel would be at ease.

He couldn't stop the smile on his face, shaking his head in astonishment. "Who has a purpose?" Connor jumped down the last three steps, making his way toward them.

Angel and Cordelia shared a look, deciding not to tell him what they know. They didn't want anything to alter his path in life. "No one. How is she?" Angel asked, coming to a stand. Things are still shaky between the two, and while Angel would give his life for his son, he had a hard time accepting the pure hatred that rolled off of him from the moment he arrived. Connor's lips turned at the corner, a thoughtful expression on his face. "She's fine. Asleep." He answered, moving a stand of hair from his face.

"She say anything else about these vampires?" Angel asked, wanting to know just what kind of trouble Bella was in. Connor shook his head, stopping abruptly, tilting his head. Angel did the same, his brow drawn down in concentration. "I hate it when you do that." Cordelia whispered, looking up as if she could somehow hear what they could.

The two sprang towards the stairs taking them three at a time, Cordelia running to the weapons cabinet, unsure of what weapon she would need. She grabbed the axe, traveling behind them. Connor kicked open the bedroom door, freezing for just a moment at the pale creature that stood over the bed. Her bright red eyes were hard as she hissed. "You're too late. She's mine." She grabbed Bella by the throat, jolting her awake. Bella didn't even have a chance to scream, her air supply being cut off immediately. She clawed at Victoria's hands, flailing in the air. Her legs hit nothing but stone, clawing at rock.

Connor sprang forward, only to get slammed backwards by Victoria's fist, the blow knocking him out cold as he hit the wall. Angel pushed on the barrier between the door and Bella, growing frustrated. "Let me in Bella!" Her eyes were wide in fear, face turning blue. "Nod!" He snapped, his body moving forward at her small admission.

Victoria had never seen a man move so fast, or one stronger than she. The shock of it all released Bella from her hold, the poor girl dropping to her bed gasping for breath. Cordelia was by her side in seconds, warily watching as Angel and the vampire struggled. Angel turned towards them, his face deformed making Bella gasp, holding tightly to Cordelia's hand. "Get her out of here!" Cordelia pulled Bella along, the two running down the steps and into the lobby.

"Who is she?" Cordelia asked, wincing at the loud snarls coming from above. Bellla shuddered at the sounds, her eyes tearing up. She swapped slowly, looking away. "A vampire out for revenge. My vampire boyfriend at the time sucked the venom out of me while his brother's killed her mate. That was almost 2 years ago. She blames me for it. There's nothing she wants more than my death." Bella rubbed her scar, clearing her throat. "Can I get some water?" She softly asked, eying the paper and pencil on the chair.

Cordial nodded, patting her shoulder before heading towards the kitchen. Looking in the woman's direction, Bella grabbed the pencil, pulling the pad towards her.

She frowned, breath hitching at the sudden break of glass from above.

Connor,

Thank you.

You saved my life, and I can't thank you and Angel enough, but I can't ask you to protect me forever. Danger follows me everywhere, and this is my burden to bare. By the sounds of it, Victoria just escaped, and it's only a matter of time before my life is over.

I can't stand someone else getting hurt because of me. We met by pure chance, and if I shall ever see you again, I guess it's fate.

-Bella

Before Cordelia could even make it back, Bella slipped out the lobby doors, making her way down the darkening street. She knew what she was doing was risky, but she had enough of people dying around her, fighting.

She couldn't get rid of the chip on her shoulder, and Bella knew that it wouldn't end until she was finally dead. Not to mention, the Cullen's were out there in this world, living life as if she never existed. That was a blow to Bella's life that she'd never get over.

She needed to start over, in a new place. That only seemed like the best thing to do. She reached into her jacket pocket, feeling around for some cash or change. She scoffed as she started to rain. "Fuck my life." Her fingers curled around the bills, eyeing the bus stop.

She moved her wet hair from her forehead, pulling her hood to cover her face. There were people all over the streets, but she never felt more alone.

She waited in line, her foot tapping against the concrete. She snuck a glance in the direction she came, frowning. She used to think being around the Cullen's felt like home, but there was something about Connor that made the term seem more real.

The line moved forward, and she was only 5 people away before starting over. She had enough money to get her to the next state, and she didn't have a plan after that.

She lost herself in her thoughts, only to jump as long slim fingers wrapped around her upper arm. She looked up, staring into greenish grey eyes, a frown upon her face. "You shouldn't be here." She said softly, moving from the line letting someone else pass. Connor purses his lips, shaking his head. In his right hand was what she assumed was her letter, crumpled in his fist. "You shouldn't be here. Victoria's dead. Angel took care of it. Tracked her down before she could get to you. Do you know how insane you are? Do you want to die?" He asked, pulling her to the side.

Bella glared, pulling away from him. "You don't know anything about me. You got hurt because of me. I can't have any more blood on my hands." She grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer as she desperately tried to convey how much this was eating at her.

"I'm fine." Connor replied, looking around briefly before meeting her eyes once more. "I need to be honest, I haven't even known you for 24 hours, and I feel like you're the only person that understands me. You give me something that I've never had…"

He paused, running a hand through his now wet hair. "Hope. You can't run from me. Not now. Please." Bella blinked rapidly, turning towards the bus, and then back to him. Her bottom lip wobbled, and she closed her eyes tightly. She didn't understand this strong reaction to him.

She couldn't help gravity as she leaned forward, her head on his chest. His heart was steady under her ear as she hung her head. Victoria was gone, and maybe Bella's life could change.

"Stay with me." He pleaded, tilting her head up. "You keep me grounded. I don't understand it, but...I don't ever want to lose this feeling." Bella nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. There was a feeling crawling inside her heart, and it scared her more than anything.

"Okay." She whispered, huddling closer, his arm wrapped in hers, the two walking back into the night.