Angel tried to enter the hotel room quietly, but the sudden switch of the light by the bed let him know that his son was still awake.
"You should be resting. That was a pretty hard fight last night and I doubt that's the last one we'll be seeing while we're here," Angle said as he slipped of his suit jacket and sat at the edge of his bed. Connor sat up on his bed and swung his feet over to the side to face his father. Angel didn't look up as he removed his dress shirt.
"So, I guess that means we're staying for a while. What is going on with you and Catherine anyways? I know there's more to the story than you guys just being playmates."
"There is, but another time. It's been a long night and I don't really feel like discussing this with you right Connor," Angel grumbled as he kicked his shoes off and lay down, "Get some sleep." Angel reached over to turn off the light when Connor's next question stopped him.
"Does it have to do with the bite mark on her neck? The one that looks almost the same as Buffy's?" Connor asked in a serious tone. He wasn't' planning on sleeping anytime soon Angel realized. Angel brought his hand away from the light and sat back up. He kept his head hung low, not wanting to see the possible disgust in his son's eyes when he learned what happened.
"When I was turned, I destroyed everyone I knew. First I slaughtered my family and all the servants next I moved on to Catherine and her family. Catherine's father was a merchant and was usually gone. It wasn't until later that he was only gone to help fight for the Tuatha. Anyway he wasn't home when I came calling. Catherine was gone, I know now probably training, so the only person home was her mother," Angel stopped and took an unneeded breath then continued. "She invited me in thinking I was there to discuss the marriage plans to Catherine. She had just turned sixteen and the family was ready to see her wed."
At this last statement Connor's eyes widened. Married? Angel was supposed to marry someone else. Angel glanced up and saw the surprise in Connor's face. So he explained about the engagement
"Mine and Catherine's family set up a betrothal shortly after she was born. Long before I became an embarrassment. Even when I started becoming a scoundrel, the Sloane's never broke off the engagement. I think they were hoping that Catherine could have a normal life. For awhile I didn't mind the idea. She was so feisty and full of life, but then she suddenly changed and started acting like all the other girls in our village. I think that's part of the reason why I didn't want to marry her anymore. I had no idea she was training to be a slayer. She changed so she wouldn't stand out anymore."
Angel swallowed hard, trying to keep the pain of remembering the past down. He had at one time really loved Catherine and felt so bad that he had shoved his feelings for her away when she changed. Connor sat silently, letting the knowledge sink in and understanding Angelus' motive.
"Angelus wanted to kill Catherine because Liam had loved her." It wasn't a question, Angel realized. It was a fact that Connor understood. Angel rubbed his forehead, and then continued the story.
"I came into the house and killed Erin. Right before she died I told her that I would soon kill her beautiful daughter, after I'd finished with her. I quickly killed the servants by snapping their necks and waited for Catherine. She walked and soon realized what had happened. She started to cry when I grabbed her from behind and bit down. One good gulp and I got sick. Faery blood is like poison to a vampire. It can give us seizures and hallucinations. I released her when I tasted the poison in her and spit out the blood. I shoved her to the ground and called her a freak, told her that she was evil, and said that Liam never would have married such a horribly grotesque thing like her. Then I left. I know now that she ran away afterwards and found her father and what her real heritage was."
Angel stopped for a second letting the pain wash over him. He hung his head again in shame at the past memories. Connor still sat motionless. He could tell that Angel cared for Catherine than he'd realized. Maybe more than his own father realized.
"I just assumed she died or that she was killed. To survive something like that, people would've thought you were the devil. After I left, I don't know what she did. You'd have to ask her that. I never went back to Galway until I joined forces with the PTB. Right after I first saw Buffy. I went to the graveyards and in one of the oldest ones I found her headstone. When I knelt down I noticed that part of the carvings were loose. I moved them and found a note. Catherine had left it for me, saying that she didn't want to die without me knowing that she had forgiven me. That she knew it wasn't my fault and releasing me from our engagement to find love with another."
"Sounds like Catherine really is as beautiful as she looks. So the cladaugh ring she was wearing tonight, did you give it to her?"
"No, it was her mother's I think. Everyone's family had an heirloom one. Maybe someday, you'll get mine," Angel said twisting the ring around his finger. Connor smiled at the thought of who he might like to give one to in the future. Angel noticed the smile on his son's face and smiled too. The pain and guilt were still sitting heavily in Angel's stomach.
"I want to ask your forgiveness too, Connor. You shouldn't have to hear all the horrible things I've done."
"You shouldn't have to ask for my forgiveness. I understand everything a bit better. And if Catherine could forgive you and move on I think I could too. Maybe you should think about doing the same. We all know that you're not Angelus, I'm sorry if I don't remind you that I know the difference a little more."
Angel looked up at his son with hope. Not long ago, Connor would have used this as another reason to stake him. Now, Angel realized that Connor had finally moved on, and that maybe he should too.
"Okay, now I'm really tired, so how about we get some sleep?" Angel asked this time turning off the light. He heard Connor settle down in the bed across from him and began to slowly drift into sleep, when Connor spoke once more in the darkness.
"You know, this whole time I kept thinking Catherine reminded me of Buffy. But maybe it's the other way around. Maybe you fell in love with Buffy because she reminded you so much of Catherine." With that said Connor closed his eyes and dreamt of Dawn. Angel lied awake a few minutes more, trying to process what his son had just said. Soon Angel dismissed the idea and fell asleep. For the first time in years, Angel dreamt of someone other than Buffy.
Across the hall Dawn thanked Giles to herself in a low whisper. She finished downloading the last bit on information Giles' had into her laptop and shut it off. She thought she had heard voices coming from the guys' room but decided to wait till morning to read the documents that had been sent her in the morning. Stretching out on the bed Dawn closed her eyes and drifted into a hard sleep.
In a warehouse across town, Malcolm kneeled before a dark-haired vampire. Sobbing and pleading for his life Malcolm told the Fir Bholg General what had happened at the club. The man rose from his chair and walked over to where Malcolm sat groveling. He brought his foot up and kicked the demon in the face, knocking him out cold. He silently strode over to a large mirror and stood waiting for her to appear. Suddenly the mirror shimmered and a gorgeous woman stood. Her dark hair tumbled down her shoulders in curls. Her dark eyes were fierce and black sparks flickered from her fingertips. The man quickly knelt before the mirror and bowed his head.
"Rise Lord Quinn. My ever faithful servant," she commanded in a haunting voice.
"Princess. I apologize for the time it is taking to bring in the Tuatha Slayer. My observations of her are paying off and we will soon have her in time for the sacrifice. And then, my glorious lady, you will bring chaos to the mortal world and be declared Queen of the Fomhoire."
"This pleases me. However, I sense a champion in our midst. Find this champion and destroy him before he can further save our prize." The mirror shimmered once again revealing the reflection of the room. Quinn stood up and started preparing his minions.