22. Original Episode for Angel Series between 3x02 That Vision Thing & 3x03 That Old Gang of Mine

Title: " Better Safe than Sorry"

In this chapter, Wesley needs to decide what is best for everyone when his powers start to strengthen.

PS: Please read end notes because this chapter will leave you very confused!

Something was always not right.

Of course ever since Angel's return, their portal problems seemed to be decreasing in number. But of course, Wesley though to soon and their new case, alas, was a portal problem.

The demon from the recent collaboration (if you can call it that) with Wolfram and Hart was filed under to be dealt with in the future. Wesley couldn't keep himself from thinking about the creature. Although Angel had said he had taken care of the demon, who was named Skip, and the demon won't be bothering them at all.

Wesley was still weary of him and he couldn't stop himself from playing the words he had heard from the demon over and over in his head.

This new case on the other hand…

"Maybe your wrong," offered Cordelia as the Host sat in the lobby and everyone else stood. Wesley was the farthest away, leaning on the counter. "How can one person bring an entire world into this place?"

"Wasn't that what your friends back in Sunnydale prevented?" offered Gunn.

"No Glory just wanted to return to her home dimension," replied Wesley. "What he is saying now is that a whole dimension being merged into our own."

"And that is catastrophic my pretties," replied Lorne. "We have less than 24 hours to track this stupid warlock who think he is bringing salvation to the world and stop him from even beginning this ritual of his."

"But how will he be doing this anyway?" asked Angel, as he turned to Wesley. "It's not like he's that strong to do anything."

"He just has to initiate it and natural powers of the both our dimensions will do the rest," replied Lorne. "Remember this is the guy that wanted the powers of the universe that you had already stopped…so he's a bit pissed."

Angel turned to the three as Cordelia answered, "Long story."

"One that I would like to hear," replied Angel as he turned to Wesley who sighed and took off his glasses to clean them.

"Lorne heard this demon who through the mixture of science and magic, concocted a potion that will allow him to suck in the energies of the universe," began Wesley.

"We stopped him while you were on your soul-searching retreat whatever," replied Gunn with a smug smile. "We can do it again, I'm sure."

"We have to find him first," replied Wesley, not sharing the younger man's confidence. "We barely made it the last time and he had already created the potion when we did stumble into his hideout."

"Well you have him now," pointed Lorne to Angel. "I'm sure with his broodiness, your intelligence, Gunn's muscle and Cordelia's sunshine…you can all stop him in time before the end of the world."

"There's a thought," mumbled Cordelia. "You forgot the other genius from upstairs."

"Yes well if our dear little Fred decides to join the world, she can have her own super power," mentioned Lorne. "But for now, you're all I got."


Wesley had a dozen or so books open on the floor, opened to random pages to Cordelia but apparently they all were connected as the Watcher tossed one book after the other.

Angel and Gunn had gone out to look for their crazed end of the world initiator and left Wesley and Cordelia (though mostly Wesley) to do some research into the warlock's plan of merging two dimensions.

First, they had to identify what other world the warlock was trying to bring to their plane. And that was something Cordelia couldn't do or even help with.

So she just sat there, watching Wesley flip through books after books and feeling like a complete waste of space bit by bit like the books Wesley had toss aside.

It was a huge sigh of relief when Angel and Gunn had entered, both looking defeated.

"Almost everyone has skipped town," said Gunn, planting himself right next to Cordelia. "Looks like we are in for something big and mean and scary."

"Any luck with whatever world he's deciding to bring to this one?" asked Angel as he shed his coat.

"I wouldn't know," replied Cordelia. "Wesley has been quiet since you left and—"

"That's because he's no currently with us," cut off Angel as he motioned with his head and Cordelia and Gunn both turned to see Wesley still sitting on the floor, reading.

Cordelia turned to Angel, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I've seen it with Giles," replied Angel. "They go to their personal library and all that and just get loss in their own little reference hub of demon and magic information."

"Ok," replied Gunn, dragging out the word. "How do we get him out of it then? We kinda need the books and the research right about now."

Angel shrugged. "We just have to wait it out."

But just as the words left Angel's mouth, Wesley head snapped up and shouted, "Cordelia!"

Cordelia had a split second to prepare herself just as a vision hit her dead on.

It was done. She saw Angel being thrown across the park right into Gunn and she herself was thrown back as well by a magical force.

The world was ending.

The warlock demon thing was laughing triumphantly as the sky cracked into two, a purple night sky breaking free from a mist of green that came from whatever magic he had done.

Cordelia gasped. Angel had his arms wrapped around her, Gunn standing above them with pills and a glass of water while Wesley stood where he sat previously, looking concerned.

He had been getting precise in sensing when she would be getting visions and it was nice having a warning…or a split second to prepare for the massive headache that she was going to get.

"What did you see?" asked Angel as Gunn handed her the pill and water.

"The park," said Cordelia after a moment. "We were there but we were too late."

Cordelia turned to Wesley. "I think they're telling us that it's about time to look into Plan B."

"There's no plan B sweetcakes," said Lorne as he entered the hotel. "Frankly, there's no plan A." He stopped and eyed Angel. "Unless you count the end of the world and us all dying as Plan A."


Everything was all set. The ritual only needed one last thing, the shine of the moon and it would start. The world he was promised was going to come to Los Angeles and he would rule.

There was no way to stop his impending reign.

That was until he saw the black convertible stop and the vampire with a soul charged towards him with the other humans who had foiled his plan the previous time.

But they were all thrown back by the barrier he had created. There was no way he was going to be stopped this time.

Wesley groaned as he lifted his head. The barrier shimmered on impact but became invisible again.

"Wesley, any time," called Angel. He was already back on his feet and helping Cordelia.

Wesley stood and eyed the demon who was looking at the sky. If what he had researched was correct, the final ingredient for the ritual was the shine of the moon and right now, it was covered by a cloud that was slowly moving away.

"Wesley!"

Angel's shout snapped him back into action and he raised his arms. The barrier was strong but it was still magical energy. He could dismantle that—

The cloud was gone and the moon had already casted its light on them. The barrier immediately disappeared as the ritual was put into motion.

Angel immediately rushed towards the demon and attempted to engage him in combat, Gunn following his lead. Cordelia stood in the distance and aimed a crossbow at the demon but none of this were working.

It was a series of repetitions. They would lunge at the demon and the demon would just throw them back just as the sky above them broke into two with a loud roar.

Cordelia raised her head and saw her vision play out before her.

Angel was thrown across the park right into Gunn and she herself was thrown back as well by a magical force.

The world was ending.

The demon laughed triumphantly as the sky continued to part, a clear division of black and purple and green from the demon's magic.

"It is done!" the demon shouted. "There is nothing you can do!"

And it was true. Up above, Angel could see a different world forming, ready to crash down and erase what was down below.

"Say good bye to your world," the demon hissed as he turned to Angel.

"I don't think so."

They al turned to Wesley who had his crystals clutched in his hand, his eyes glowing green. "The world is not ending tonight."


Giles remained silent, eyes wide as Wesley ended his recap of the what had happened two days prior.

The Council had sensed the outburst of magical energy and were even afraid that they had been too late to stop it. But after an hour or so, the energy normalized and everything looked to be all clear.

It had been Wesley. Of course, it was the only explanation.

Giles still stared at the younger man. He had managed to stop an unstoppable ritual by using his powers in not only forcing back the world that was brought to their own but closing the portal the ritual opened even without it fulfilling what it was intended for.

Wesley stopped a world from merging into their own. A feat Giles didn't even know if the previous Gem was even capable of.

When Giles had returned to England, the Council had immediately called him and made it clear that they wanted both of them back in England. Not so they could keep an eye on them, but rather they wanted Giles to focus on training Wesley and for Wesley to focus on harnessing his power.

But Wesley has proven that he could harness his power without any help from his mentor. The only thing that troubled Giles was this…until when could Wesley control it?

By the look on the younger man's face, he too was a bit worried. But it was for a totally different reason.

"Rupert…please don't be mad at what I did."

"What?" asked Giles in disbelief. That was why he was worried? "Wesley, do I look like I'm mad?"

"No," answered Wesley. "But that look on your face is making me uneasy." He admitted with a shrug. "What are you thinking about, then?"

"Something the Council had immediately discussed with me as I arrived back in London," began Giles. "One that at first I was totally against the idea…"

"And now?" asked Wesley, the hesitation evident and Giles sighed. They were a team with this. Whatever they decide, they were going to do it together.

"Now I think it might be necessary," said Giles as he sighed and took off his glasses. They had timed their visits and it was a bit tiring to teleport across continents, but not that much. It felt like climbing 5 flights at his age.

"I'm all ears," replied Wesley and Giles fought the urge to roll his eyes. He wouldn't after he hears what the Council wants.


"WHAT?"

Wesley expected the reaction. Frankly, he expected tantrums. Cordelia would be throwing books at him, Gunn shaking his head at his direction and Angel just giving him a wide-eyed look.

"You are not leaving us Wesley," ordered Cordelia. "You're the damn person in charge. You cannot just leave like that!" She turned to the other two. "Talk, now!"

Angel and Gunn turned to each other and both shrugged, Wesley raising an eyebrow at the two. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not on the same boat as Cordelia?"

"Because we're not," replied Gunn with a sigh as Cordelia smacked him in the shoulder. "Sorry Cordy but it's the truth." He turned to Wesley. "We don't know anything about Wesley's powers. If he thinks it'll be better for him to be back in England to learn to control his powers, who are we to stop him."

"He doesn't need to control it," argued Cordelia. "He can already use it without it going psycho on us."

"Until when Cordelia," replied Wesley. "I'm not a 100% sure of the idea myself…but all I can think about is losing control and hurting one of you." He stopped and avoided their gaze. "I just can't bear the idea of hurting you just because I wasn't able to handle my powers."

"So what?" argued Cordelia. "You're going to pull an Angel and walk away?"

She glared at him before heading up the stairs to find an empty room to blow off some steam. Wesley turned to Gunn who shrugged and also left the lobby, leaving him alone with Angel.

"I'm not going to guilt trip you into staying," began Angel as he finally moved and sat down on one of the couches. Wesley rubbed a tired hand over his face and sat down next to him. "It is your choice."

"What would you do?" asked Wesley, not missing a beat, though his gaze was faraway.

"Honestly," began Angel, turning his head to study him. "I would go with Giles."

"What would you about her then?" Angel chuckled at that. That was the real problem for Wesley currently and Angel just couldn't fathom why they were all afraid of one Cordelia Chase.

"She'll just miss having someone to boss around Wes," began Angel, relieved when Wesley finally turned to look at him. "Just be in constant contact and Cordy will come around."

A loud cash was heard from above, like a vase or lamp being thrown across the room and shattered on impact against a hard surface, probably the wall.

"Maybe get her something expensive first before talking to her."


Knock.

"Go away!"

It was a good thing Wesley had a stock of chocolates that Cordelia always tried to steal without him noticing. If he could bargain with her, this would be his ace.

"Well I guess you don't any of the chocolates I have left—"

The door opened and Wesley could already see Cordelia's retreating back as Wesley entered the room, which looked to have met a tornado recently.

She sat down on the bed, leaning against the headboard and stretched her hand out to him. Wesley placed the bag on her hand and she began to unwrap a piece as Wesley hesitantly sat down.

One thing he has learned about people, they eat when they're stressed.

After she's eaten about five, she finally met his gaze. "It's just unfair."

"I know," replied Wesley. "I wish there was some other way—"

"We're a good team now," continued Cordelia, not letting him speak. "I mean it's like when we get our mojo into gear, the universe decides to throw us a curve ball and we have to get used to it all over again."

"I'm coming back Cordelia," assured Wesley but Cordelia just snorted at that.

"Yeah like those old geezers will let you," argued Cordelia.

"Not much of an argument if I just turn and teleport now will it," replied Wesley with a bright smile and Cordelia couldn't help but return the gesture. "You won't get rid of me that easily, Cordelia. I'm still the boss around here. I'm just taking a long overdue vacation."

Cordelia seemed to take that better and her shoulders slumped and she leaned forward. "You'll come back?"

"I promise." replied Wesley as he leaned in and hugged her. "You won't even notice I'm gone."


Gunn sighed as he slammed a book closed. This was getting boring. Research and research for a demon they had no idea who or what just an image from Cordelia's vision.

"If we had Wes he'd just do his magic mumbo jumbo and send the demon to the next portal," said Gunn to the lobby and Cordelia and Angel both looked at him as though he was insance.

"Wesley doesn't have that kind of power," said Angel, giving him a look.

"Besides the man looks like a good gust of wind could carry him back to London," added Cordelia, looking back at the books in front of her.

"Guys, isn't that why he's not here—"

"Who's not here?" came the question and from the back office emerged Wesley, not looking at all different. Gunn's eyes widened but then they glazed over a bit and he shook his head.

"No nothing, just me rambling…don't even know why I suggested you could just magic these demons away," said Gunn, opening the book again. "It's not like you have any magical powers anyway."

"No I'm just your ordinary man," replied Wesley, setting a few more books down. "With a good source of magical books and spells."

Wesley turned and headed back to his office. Upon shutting the door he smiled, a rather disturbing and menacing smile. The spell had worked…he was now Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, and there was nothing anyone could do to change that.

Not even the Gem who was all the way back in England.


"Rupert?" called Wesley as he searched for his mentor along the Council grounds. They had been back for a good few days and Wesley didn't need time at all to adjust. Being back in his home with his parents, with the occasional visit from Rick and Virginia, was something he did not know he had truly missed.

His father still avoided him like the plague but it was something he was actually relieved to be occurring. He didn't know how to handle a conversation with the older Wyndam-Pryce at the given moment.

Right now, however, he had managed to find a book about elemental spells he had wanted to try. Of course the age old fireball was something he had always wanted to be capable off but maybe flight with wind manipulation wasn't too far out there than he had first imagined.

He just needed to find his mentor so they could start cracking at it.

"Rupert?" called Wesley louder. There weren't much Watchers in the compound during this time of the day, let alone the week since there weren't any scheduled meetings for the heads of the Council.

Getting no response, Wesley closed his eyes and used his magic to try and sense anyone else with immense power, having only one other person as the possibility.

Upon finding it, Wesley inhaled and teleported to stand a few feet from Giles who seemed to be lost in thought looking outside the window of what appeared to be makeshift study. His other hand gripped a phone ever too tight and Wesley wondered what could have happened that made the older man grip it for dear life.

"Rupert?"

The older man jumped and turned to Wesley with confused and worried eyes. "What happened? What's wrong?"

Giles turned to the phone he still held and looked back up at Wesley. "It's Buffy…she's alive."


End Notes: So the big explanation with what is happening with the people in LA will be addressed once we head back episode re-writes. What happens next you ask? We focus on the adventures of Giles and Wesley in England.

But wait who was that with Angel Investigations? All will be revealed in good time. So as far as this story goes, whatever happened with the series from Angel Season 3 onwards (until I post the next episode re-write) is what happened in this universe.

Hope that makes a little sense. The main thing to understand is this, Wesley (the real one) is in England with Giles and is training with his powers and that is where the story is focusing on. So yeah, there's about 6 original episodes lined up after this then we're back to episode re-writes and that is where everything might make a little more sense.

But of course we have Buffy episode re-writes coming up next with Giles heading back to Sunnydale for a while. I might merge them as one chapter, who knows.

Last note, thank you to everyone who still has interest in this story! :)