Chapter 12 Connor
Babysitting wasn't happening tonight. Angel had to take care of a nasty demon on his own since everyone else at the hotel decided to go out and the vampire decided to stay in. Isabella decided to stay with her father as well but because no one was here to look out for her he had to bring her on this mission. He didn't want to it was a nasty demon, four legs, two horns, long ugly snout and one eye. Angel was thrown to the ground as the demon roared. Isabella was on the side lines for this. She wanted to jump in and help. She was no longer little but a young preteen, twelve to be exact which Angel found it hard to believe.
"You ok dad!" She shouted as Angel sat up regaining is barrens.
"Just great." Angel answered and the demon came charging at Angel. His favorite axe was gone on the other side of the room. Angel put his back to the floor and as the demon jumped Angel reached out grabbed the demon and with his legs kicked the demon back to the other side. Angel rolled over as the demon got up slowly and the shook of the pain.
"Dad let me help." Isabella begged but Angel got up and braced himself to wrestle the demon as it charged. "Dad,"
"Not now!" Angel yelled as he blocked the demon's swipes as it walked on its high legs. Isabella scoffed and then plopped on the ground folding her arms literally pouting. She sat there watching the wrestling match as it went on. But something caught the girl's eye. She looked up and saw something shinning. She looked back her dad as he was busy and he finally vamped out. Isabella stood up and climbed up the wall to this shinny object. She found it and it was a glowing ball of some kind. She reached it and took it in her hand. She climbed back down the wall and jumped down and held the ball in her hands. It was pretty as it glowed.
"Hey dad?" She asked as she still looked into the glowing ball. "What's this?" She asked and looked up but her father was still fighting the demon. She sighed again, ok she thought this was getting annoying. She looked back at the ball and it felt fragile. Isabella was always good at finding stuff that was fragile and breaking it. Willow said Buffy never broke things on purpose but Angel did a small laugh to himself hearing that and thought 'I did' but Isabella didn't break it just to break it. Usually she broke something to get attention she'd prefer it to be big and heavy so it made noise but a lot of times it was something that broke. She held out the ball and dropped it. The little glowing ball shattered into pieces and the demon stopped fighting Angel and looked at the shattered pieces and screamed and charged at Isabella. She didn't move however she just stood there, she wasn't afraid not only that Angel charged after it. You don't mess with this vampire's daughter and live to tell the tale.
The two walked back into the hotel room after that little ordeal.
"Next time you stay home." Angel said and Isabella stopped walking as Angel was about to head into the kitchen, he was hungry he got that bad habit from Buffy, eating after slaying and it didn't help that Isabella did it too. He turned around looking at her as she stood there.
"Hey if I hadn't smashed that glowly ball thing it would have never lost its strength." Isabella said in her defense. Angel sighed and Isabella crossed her arms leaning on one leg much like Buffy did. She was right though. She was getting an attitude these days very much like Buffy's demeanor and he loved it. "You know I'm right."
"You hungry?" He asked and she nodded.
"Starved." And she went after her father as he made his way to the kitchen taking off his coat and she ran into the kitchen but as she passed him he reached for her tickling her. She laughed and was able to pull away and headed into the kitchen waiting for him, it was snack time. As he walked into the kitchen he realized they actually made a good team a very odd and dysfunctional team but a team.
Isabella was about half way through her food when they both heard people walking in. Cordelia came in sighing and set down her bag.
"How was speed dating?" Isabella asked but she got the answer with the look on Cordelia's face.
"What did you two do tonight?" Cordelia asked and Isabella shrugged as Angel sipped his blood.
"Nothing." They answered at the same time and Cordelia nodded and grabbed her bag.
"Well I'm going to bed." She stated and the vampire and his daughter nodded.
"Night." They both said at the same time again and Cordelia left. It was a Saturday night which Isabella would be up until three. Angel looked over to her knowing she was restless.
"Need to burn some energy?" He asked finishing the last little bit of blood and Isabella nodded while taking another bite of pasta. "Train?" He asked and she nodded while putting down her fork and took a gulp of her water and the two headed to the training room. They would probably train for the rest of the night.
Isabella turned on the CD player and a song came on. Angel grabbed the boxing mitts as Isabella finished taping up her hands.
"What's this?" Angel asked as the song played it was fast with a low bass.
"Music." His daughter replied.
"No this isn't this is noise."
"Ok ready." The twelve year old said and Angel held up his hand and Isabella had her hands up for attack.
"Start off with a jab and hit ok." Angel said and she nodded and begun.
About an hour into the training session Giles came in and looked around as the music was playing.
"What's this noise?" The Watcher asked.
"Music." Isabella said quickly as she dodged her father and went back to boxing. Giles rolled his eyes and came in further holding a book.
"Angel," Giles begun, Angel still held up his hands as Isabella still punched his hands. "There's a demon that has been spotted." Giles stated and Isabella kept punching her father's hands. Giles could tell they weren't interested at the moment.
"Don't drop your shoulder." Angel said to Isabella and she stopped.
"I'm not." She protested and went back to punching.
"You did it again." Angel interrupted and Isabella stopped, sighed and stood there. "Take a break." And Isabella walked to the side to grab some water. Giles stood there waiting to be acknowledged and finally the vampire looked up. "Yes Giles."
"We have a serious demon running around, four legs. The perk is it has an energy ball, once the ball is broken it can be defeated." Giles finished and Isabella looked up to her father and he looked back to her. "The real danger is this demon if killed others will find out and hunt it's killer." Angel nodded thinking oh great.
"Awesome." Angel said walking to the side grabbing a towel.
"Not finished yet." Giles stated looking at his book. "This clan of demons is commanded by a master they're mostly it's servants and hunters. The demon master sends out these…hunters and they gather a human family. The family is a sacrifice and the demon master eats them." Giles finished.
"Ok guess we go and find the demon master and kill it." Angel stated plainly.
"It's quite powerful Angel you'll need some help." The Watcher informed the vampire. "Maybe Cordy will have a vision of the family we need to help." Isabella stood up ready to go at her training again. Angel walked to the wall of weapons and took some wooden poles off the wall and tossed one to Isabella and she caught it with one hand while in her other hand holding her water bottle drinking. She set it down and walked to the center of the room.
"Ready?" Angel asked and his daughter nodded. Giles knew he wasn't getting much more from these two and turned in for the night. Once Giles left the two stopped fighting each other.
"Uh so now what?" Isabella asked her father.
"Not sure yet muirin." Angel replied.
It was dark, grungy, and wet. Isabella looked around wondering where she was. She wanted to find her father she wasn't ready. But then something came out of the shadows.
Isabella shot up from her bed looking around. Her heart was pounding as she looked around the room. She got out of her bed and left her room. It was around four in the morning as she headed down the hall to her father's room. She opened the door and walked in. She crawled in and went to sleep.
Angel was jolted awake for some reason and reached over for the lamp and turned it on. He looked to the nightstand and there were four black and white photos. One was the wedding picture another was just Buffy sitting there smiling, another was Isabella as a new born baby being held by him. Cordelia managed that shot, Angel was asleep with baby Isabella sleep curled up in a little ball on his bare chest sleeping. That's how Isabella slept for her first two months of her life on top of her father. The last photo was a resent one of Isabella, she was smiling just like Buffy it was almost identical. Angel rubbed his eyes seeing the clock it read five in the morning. But he felt that someone else was in the room. He turned over and his daughter was asleep, well half asleep.
"What are you doing here?" He asked still squinting his eyes from the light. Isabella rolled over trying to avoid him.
"Nightmare." She said softly. Angel sat up slowly rubbing his sleepy eyes and got out of bed. This was the third time in a row he had been jolted out of sleep. Usually it was a dream or a noise that would wake him but not this time he was just awoken. Angel walked to the other side of the bed and stood there and let out a sigh. Isabella sighed too and rolled out of bed and Angel walked her back to her room. Something was waking her up too. It was something he didn't like either, if they were both waking up it meant something or someone was trying to tell them something. 'Buffy if that's you trying to tell me something it's not funny just waking me up for no particular reason.' Angel said to himself as Isabella climbed back into her own bed. Angel then sat on the edge of the bed as she settled in.
"It's coming on the third night you've been up late or not sleeping, what are you trying to do hmm? Set a record?" Angel asked and Isabella shrugged.
"What about you?" His daughter asked and Angel nodded. He couldn't hide anything from her at least not that long. She was smart much smarter than you would think. "Maybe it's time we take a vacation to Galway." Angel said and Isabella nodded. The two noticed over the years when one or both of them couldn't sleep it meant a break was needed. Usually they would pack up and head to the mansion in Sunnydale but Galway seemed to rejuvenate them even more. "Try to sleep." Angel then leaned in to kiss her.
"You too." She replied back and Angel smiled getting up and left. Isabella rolled over to the window not closing her eyes. Angel headed downstairs knowing the Watchers were up and it was time talk to them. As he neared the kitchen he heard a tea pot whistle and saw Giles and Wes preparing their tea.
"Morning Angel, you're up early." Wes stated as he put some sugar in his tea.
"Want me to heat up some blood?" Giles offered and Angel shook his head, he wasn't hungry at the moment and took a seat. The Watchers knew he wanted to talk or ask a question. "What's on your mind?" Giles then took a seat sipping his tea.
"Remember that demon you mentioned?" Angel asked and Giles nodded. "Well Isabella and I already killed one."
"Oh," Giles said nodding. "Well I said you kill one more will come after you." Angel nodded. "We're doing research see where they might nest."
"Where was this one?" Wes asked.
"Sewer tunnel." Angel answered.
"Did you kill it or did Isabella?" Giles asked.
"I did, Isabella destroyed the ball…thing." Angel answered. "So she's not in any danger right?"
"I say she is but not like you." Giles replied and Angel rubbed his face in some frustration which signaled to Giles there was more on the vampire's mind. "What's really bothering you?"
"Izzy has been having nightmares," Angel started. "I don't know but it's like she has a nightmare then I get jolted from sleep. It's bothering me." Angel admitted.
"Well you two share that connection my guess or theory," Wes began, "She's in danger nothing life threatening because it's a dream, you feel her distress and you respond." It seemed logical enough but she hasn't spoken of her dreams and what she's so afraid of. "Now her dreams," Wes continued. "She's not a slayer yet but because she's born from one I can safely assume Buffy passed on the prophetic dreams to her."
"Maybe," Angel started. "Maybe it's like Cordy, she's getting visions."
"No, no these aren't from the PTB." Giles then leaned forward. "These premonitions that usually a slayer gets but I bet half if not all these dreams involve you Angel."
"We've stated before the PTB visions are for us Izzy's is for you and her alone." Wes finished and Angel nodded. It was time to figure out what Isabella was dreaming about that caused him to jump into protection mode.
'No sleep, no sleep these math problems don't make sense,' Isabella said to herself as she sat in school looking over her worksheet that was passed around. She did a big yawn and tried to refocus. Then the door opened and a staff member and a boy walked in. The two walked to the front of the room talking.
"Excuse me class," The teacher started and Isabella looked up. The boy looked a bit nervous. "We have a new student." She said and ushered the boy to step forward and introduce himself.
"Hi," The boy paused and looked around. "My name is Connor and I'm from Santa Monica." He paused again. "Uh my parents got a job here so yeah." The teacher nodded smiling.
"Well Connor I hope you like it here just take any empty desk oh and here," The teacher gave him the worksheet and he left the front of the room. He walked down the aisle slowly as none of the student looked up and then he passed one girl. She looked up at him and he was taken back. She had long brown hair and these green eyes that just saw right into you. The seat behind her was empty so he took it. Evan and Levy sat on either side of Isabella giggled but Isabella shook it off and went back to her work.
Isabella was at her locker dropping off some books when Connor the new kid came over.
"Hi," Isabella said with a smile and Connor nodded smiling.
"H…hi," He stammered. "So I was hoping you could help me."
"Sure," Isabella said and took his schedule looking at it. "Well we have all the same classes except fifth, I go to gym that hour. Oh I'm Isabella by the way, Izzy for short." Connor smiled.
"Izzy!" A voice said and she turned around seeing Evan and Levy coming her way. "What's up?" he asked putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Connor these are my best friends Evan and Levy, guys Connor." Isabella introduced them.
"Hey what's up?" Evan asked holding out his hand and Connor shook it. "Well I'm hungry."
"Yeah let's go eat." Levy said and Isabella nodded.
"Connor you want to join us?" Isabella asked and the new boy nodded following his new friends down the hall.
Meanwhile at the hotel everyone was doing research on the new demon. Giles got the dry erased board ready and then the adults could hear the kids coming in.
"Oooo oooo meeting." Levy said pointing and the three kids dropped their things and rushed over. Isabella took a seat next to her father and he kissed her head.
"How was school?" He asked and she shrugged.
"Normal although new kid today his name is Connor, he seems ok." Isabella added and Angel nodded.
"That's nice." Angel said and Giles stood there waiting for everyone's attention.
"Go G-man." Isabella said and Giles rolled his eyes and begun to write. He finished letting everyone read. The title read Gyron Demon.
"Ok this is the master demon," Giles stated. "Now from what we've read this demon likes to feed off of families." Then Isabella raised her hand. "Yes,"
"Why?" She asked.
"It states family blood is its preference." Giles answered.
"Gross." Isabella commented and Angel chuckled a little.
"Now it has minions so to speak known as Gyronphites they are very strong but," Giles paused looking through his notes. "They have a ball that houses their energy which when broken they become weak. As I understand Angel and Isabella came up against one." Father and daughter nodded. "A gyronphite once killed releases like a chemical and more come for it if they learn the identification of its killer than they hunt them down."
"You're in trouble dad," Isabella added.
"They're just an obstacle we want to kill Gyron." Wes added and stood up. "The gyronphites will protect their master. The master is very powerful, very dangerous and very fast." Wes then began to write something. "It likes cold, dark and wet places.
"Sewers, the usual haunts." Xander added.
"This is all well and good but," Isabella began. "There's thousands of families which one would they pick?"
"And there's our dilemma." Giles stated. "So tonight Angel and Isabella will go back to the location where they killed a gyronphite and see if we can catch one." Angel crossed his arms. "It has to be you both, your scents are still there. But Spike and Gunn will go as back up and bring Willow she will need to subdue it in order for us to study it."
"Do we have enough time?" Cordelia asked.
"Yes, the Gyron is particular with the family he or it wants to eat." Wes answered.
"Ok well if I get a message I'll let you guys know." Cordelia said.
"Anymore questions?" Giles asked. "Oh one more thing if you can Angel don't destroy the energy ball." Angel nodded and Isabella saluted Giles and ran off.
Night was now here, Angel put on his long coat and headed downstairs to the training room. He didn't like the idea of Isabella tagging along but she could hold her own quite well these days. Angel reached for his axe and saw Isabella grab her sword and a crossbow. Angel then pulled her aside.
"Stay close." He said and she nodded and followed him out. She was excited she loved going on missions with them. The group headed out back to the sewer entrance and jumped in. They would follow Angel and Isabella and hopefully bag a demon. Angel and Isabella walked ahead of them. Isabella held out her crossbow once she knew they were getting closer to the site. She checked corners and tunnels as they headed deeper into the tunnels.
"Smells like donkey piss," Spike commented.
"How do you know what that smells…oh never mind I don't want to know." Gunn said and kept walking. As Isabella walked slightly ahead of Angel, he picked up one something and reached out for Isabella telling her to stop.
"What?" She asked as he sniffed the air. "I can't smell anything dad." She said but she only had half the vampire senses. Angel looked around and Spike was sniffing too.
"The vampire sniffing thing is still…weird." Willow commented. Angel indicated for everyone to move forward. The tunnel then widen and came to an opening.
"Well here's where we saw it." Isabella said looking up as water dripped in and Angel nodded.
"Then we chased it down this way." Angel stated and they kept going. After a few more feet they came to what looked like a cave, a really high cave. On the floor was a dead thing. It was already rotting away and on the ground they found shattered glass.
"Here we are." Isabella said looking around.
"They might have moved on." Gunn added but Angel shook his head no, he could smell a strong scent. He reached for Isabella pulling her closer which she gave a slight moan in protest. He ignored it as the group scattered looking around. Willow knelt to the corps.
"You did a number on it Angel." She said looking at it. It was ugly and it had a snout like a wolf. Isabella at the same time as Angel snapped their heads up.
"We're being watched," Angel said. "Everyone get back here." He ordered, fighting one of these things was hard so they had to work together. The group huddled together.
"How many?" Gunn asked.
"I'm picking up five maybe six." Spike added. "I get the feeling their really pissed off." Then six of the demons jumped down growling. "Oh yes they are pissed."
"Kill all but one." Angel said and the demons attacked. Angel vamped out along with Spike and the fought. Isabella tossed away her crossbow and took out her sword and swung at one. It swiped its claws at her and in between attacks she looked to where they might be hiding their energy balls.
"There!" Isabella yelled pointing and the group looked up seeing something glowing. Isabella dodged a swipe and jumped up to the ledge. She saw six glowing balls but they were different. She looked to the demons and saw how each matched to each ball. Their talons were different colors. So now she had to figure out which one they would keep. "Yellow!" She yelled and they all looked up to her. "The one with the yellow talons don't kill it!" And she started to toss the other energy balls off the side. The demons screamed in rage and attacked furiously. Isabella picked up the yellow one and jumped down and Willow came running to her. Isabella put it in a bag and Isabella went to help fight but the yellow one they were going to take spotted her. "Oh boy," And it came charging. Isabella held her ground and jumped at her. She ducked sliding under it. She then saw Angel being thrown to the wall and he held the demon by what looked to be its wrists as it snapped at him. Isabella ran to her father, jumped into the air and sliced its head off. Angel threw the body away grabbed his axe and he and Isabella went to keep the yellow one busy while Willow put a spell on it.
Angel and Spike dumped the sleeping demon on the kitchen table while Isabella took out the little ball. Giles was impressed that they did this. Evan went to touch the demon but Xander grabbed his hand shaking his head.
"We should name it." Spike added and everyone looked up to him and he shrugged. Isabella looked at it as she walked around the table. She then stood in front of Angel who was also studying it. "So how do we find out what family it's stalking?"
"Easy, we'll ask when it wakes up." Xander said sarcastically. "Right I won't say anything." But Isabella thought of something, every demon that's she's encountered or heard of they would hide out close to those they were stalking. She left her father and went to get a map of the sewers. Angel saw her come back and she squatted on the ground rolling out the map. Angel smiled as he figured out what she was doing. Isabella looked to the map and pointed to the location.
"That's where we found the first one." She said and Angel nodded.
"So let's see who lives nearby." Angel said and Isabella followed.
They walked up to a nice house, it was still early so they shouldn't wake anyone. Angel knocked on the door and waited. The door opened and Isabella's eyes widen.
"Connor?" She asked and Angel looked to her, 'the new kid?'
Oooo, so now what? Well if you read the Gift you know or at least know what's going to happen and if you haven't well either wait or go read the Gift. Anyways more to come, yes updates are slow but they are coming. Thanks for reading, comments and reviews are welcomed.