Chapter 14 Running up that Hill
So if you guess who the old foe is at the end Angel will spend the entire day with you. Hope you like it.
It was the weekend which for Isabella meant freedom, no homework, no school; no books just train and watch TV. The best TV was in her father's room, fifty two inch LCD TV to be exact so to watch anything you had to go there. She poked her head inside the room and saw her father was not asleep and the bathroom light on under the shut door. She smiled, walked in and climbed up into the bed and turned on the TV and begun to channel search. Angel came out of the bathroom wiping his face dry and sighed seeing her there.
"You know its Saturday right?" He asked.
"Hmm hmm," She acknowledged and nodded her head.
"You're a young and vibrant girl, it's Saturday, the sun is out and you're here watching TV,"
"Just for a little bit, I'll go outside later." She quickly said and looked to her dad and he leaned up against the frame entrance to the bathroom. "What?" She asked and he continued to stare at her. "Ok fine," She picked up the remote and turned the TV off. "I'll go." She then went to slide off the bed. "Oh I do have one question?"
"What?" He asked hoping is relevant in some way.
"You have no reflection right?" She confirmed.
"Yes…" Angel didn't know where this was going and to be honest he didn't want to know.
"Well then how do you shave?"
"Ok out be a normal girl," He said pointing and she smiled.
"What it's just a question?" She stated and he walked over to her pointing to the door as she smiled and left.
"Go, beat up Evan or something." He suggested and she left. 'Where does she get this from, Buffy she's your daughter I blame you.' He thought as he turned back into his room. Isabella headed downstairs and found Evan and Levy and ran up to them.
"Hey guys." She said.
"Hey Izzy Evan and I were heading out want to come?" Levy asked and she nodded so the trio headed out. Willow smiled seeing the three going out together history was repeating. It was like looking at herself, Xander and Buffy now all that needed to happen was a tortured mysterious hot vampire to come in for Izzy no wait bad idea, Angel would kill the vampire; he would never stand a chance. That thought made her smile though and she turned around to get back to work on a spell.
The trio walked down the roads of LA as normal kids and headed for the local park. The three laughed as they walked together. These three were the future of AI, the future of the world but that was something they didn't think about right now they were more concern about getting some ice cream and funnel cake. Later tonight Izzy would train and Levy would learn how to do some transfiguration spells and Evan would learn how tell the difference between sub demon species. But then as they walked together Isabella picked up on something. She was in the middle of Levy and Evan and grabbed them. They knew that look, something was up.
"What is it Izzy?" Evan asked as she looked around the area.
"You hear that?" She asked and the other two looked around but all they heard were cars, people the usual. "I do." She said and walked forward and they followed.
"Hey if it's demon or something we should tell the others." Levy suggested but once Isabella gets focused on something you can't stop her. Isabella went from a brisk walk to a run and they followed her. She turned down to an ally way and looked around. "What's going on?"
"She has bat hearing how do I know?" Evan asked.
"At least she's not blind like one." Levy commented and then Isabella stopped abruptly holding out her arms to stop Evan and Levy. "What?"
"Shh," Isabella hushed them and looked around. Isabella then looked up and she pointed and the three saw some demons hopping from roof top to roof top.
"Oh that can't be good." Evan said and Isabella hit him lightly on the chest pointing to two abandon bikes.
"Levy," Isabella turned to her. "Go back to the hotel and get help Evan and I will track them."
"Wait what?" Evan asked.
"But your father it's broad day light."
"He'll find away but we'll need help." Isabella stated and Levy nodded. "We'll stay on them."
"Ok," Levy said nodding and took off back to the hotel.
"Evan let's go." Isabella stated and grabbed one bike.
"Why do I get the pink one?" Evan whined.
"Shut up and ride." Isabella hissed and Evan got on the pink bike that had old pom poms on the handles. Isabella looked at him and couldn't help but smirk a little. "Come on gorgeous." She said and Evan sighed.
"This never happened." Evan stated and they were off in the streets. Evan had to follow Isabella because only she could hear them. "Are they after someone?" Evan asked as they rode through the streets.
"No idea!" Isabella responded and they kept going until they came to the park.
"If they go through the park you'd think people would see them."
"You'd think." Isabella commented and they rode through the park as Isabella was tracking them. Isabella could sense them and kept an eye out but she was so focused on trying to find the demons that she didn't see that the sidewalk in front of her was uneven. Her front tire caught it and the bike flipped forward. Evan stopped his bike as Isabella was on the ground. Evan got off his bike to check on her as she moaned. Isabella sat up and saw two people with her.
"Isabella?" Connor asked and she looked at him. She reached for the back of her head to check for bleeding but nothing it was just a little painful. "Wow uh," Connor said looking around as people passed by whispering. "That, that was awesome."
"Yeah it felt awesome." Isabella said as she got slowly.
"Maybe you should head home get some rest." Connor suggested.
"Yes I agree you should your father could help." Evan emphasized the word father to her but she ignored him and grabbed her bike.
"Love to stay and talk Connor but chasing after demons." Isabella said quickly and got on the bike and begun to ride off.
"Uh right better follow her make sure she's ok." Evan said and got back on the pink bike.
"Hey Evan nice bike." Connor commented with a grin.
"Yeah it goes with my completion." Evan said sarcastically and got on and chased after Isabella. Connor knew something was up and went to the tree where his bike was and decided to follow them at a distance. Isabella pedaled faster picking up the trail again and Evan followed and noticed they were heading to a not so nice part of the town. As the two rode around looking Isabella pedaled into an abandon building. "Hey Izzy remember the last time we were in an abandon building?" He asked but she ignored him. Then one demon jumped out of nowhere, Isabella turned her bike rolling off of it allowing the bike to skid into the demon. She then ran to Evan and he got off his bike and she picked it up and tossed it. "You didn't bring weapons?
"I wasn't planning on this!" Isabella yelled and she grabbed Evan by the arm and pulled him along the opposite way of the demon that chased them. There was another one around but she didn't want to wait and see. But as she ran she picked up someone else was here. Connor's bike turned the corner and he saw Isabella and Evan running towards him. "Go back!" She yelled but he didn't know what and kept riding closer to them so to stop him Isabella held out her arm catching him kind of like fish lining someone and Connor fell off his bike on his back. Isabella got up seeing the demon still charging their way and she then looked back down Connor who was still flat on his back. Evan got down to the ground as Connor grunted getting up.
"What's wrong with you?" Connor asked but then he heard a shrill and looked to the direction.
"Get up, get up now." Isabella order
"What is that?" Connor asked as a demon came charging after them.
"Run!" Isabella yelled and grabbed Connor and Evan by the arms pulling them along and the three rounded the corner and kept running. Connor managed to glance back looking at the ugly thing.
"What the heck is it?" He screamed.
"Demon!" Isabella quickly answered as they ran through the rubble in the building.
"Kill it Izzy kill it!" Evan yelled as they kept running.
"I can't!" She yelled at him, there was no way she now weapons, maybe hand to hand combat but the demon was twice her size.
"You're trained to kill these things!" Evan shot back.
"You kill demons?" Connor asked but she didn't answer but saw metal pipe. She upped her speed, dropped rolled to the ground and picked up the pipe and stood there twirling the pipe as the demon got closer. She then swung the pipe as the demon causing it fly back a little. She then kept running after Evan and Connor.
"Go! Keep running!" Isabella yelled to the two boys.
"Where's your father when we need him?" Evan yelled as they kept running. Isabella quickly looked behind her and saw the demon was joined up with another one. Just as Evan said that a black Plymouth came roaring into the building and was airborne as it made its entrance. Isabella stopped running knowing she was safe for a second. The car made the demon pull back for a moment. The Plymouth did a sharp turn to the three and the passenger door opened.
"What's going on!" Connor asked frantically.
"Get in the car Connor!" Isabella ordered as she grabbed his hand pulling him to the Plymouth, Evan already was climbing in.
"Wait what's happening?" Connor asked again, his mind was spinning he had no idea what was happening, it all felt like a bad dream.
"You want to live kid get in!" Angel yelled as Isabella shoved Connor into the backseat next to Evan and she got into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut. The demon hissed and started to chase the car.
"Go, go dad!" Isabella yelled and Angel shifted the gear into reverse, released the clutch and slammed on the gas. Angel drove backwards with ease as Connor watched the demon chase after them. Isabella leaned forward and found a crossbow on the dashboard and picked it up. A second demon then joined in the chase.
"Oh god we're going to die!" Connor yelled.
"Don't worry my dad's a good driver." Isabella assured him as she loaded the arrows on the crossbow. Then the Plymouth drove through a glass window which made Evan and Connor flinch. She put the window down and hung out the side of the door and began to fire. The car was still going backwards but Angel didn't want to keep going backwards he wanted to get out.
"Izzy hold on!" He yelled and she pulled herself back into the car as Angel swerved the car around so now it would be going forward, he shifted and was off. The demons were still after them though which was odd, usually they would give up by now. "I think we know who they're after." Angel said and Isabella turned her head looking at Connor, Connor looked around panicking.
"What? Why me?" He asked.
"Later," Angel said and nodded to Isabella and she looked to the side mirror and saw the demons. She went back outside the window and fired some more but unless the energy balls were destroyed the demons were still coming. Isabella pulled herself back into the car.
"I'm out." She indicated she had no more arrows and the demons were still chasing them through the building.
"Evan," Angel said and he looked up. "Under your seat." Angel indicated and Evan looked under his seat and pulled out what looked like to be a gun, sniper rifle was more like it.
"Whoa," Connor's eyes went wide as Evan passed it to Isabella and she check it to make sure it was loaded. Connor couldn't believe what was going on and there was no time to ask questions. Connor looked out the back window seeing the demons still after them.
"Drive." Angel said to Isabella as he took the weapon from her.
"What where you think you're going?" She asked as he had the weapon and she scooted into the seat. She was hoping to use the rifle but not today. Isabella knew how to drive, Angel taught her so if she ever needed to she could. Not only that, she could hotwire a car as too. Angel hung out the window and shot at the demons. The bullets didn't kill them but it slowed the down enough. Angel saw it worked and slid back into the car and Isabella scooted back into her seat taking the gun and handed it back to Evan and he placed it under the seat.
"You guys always go around packing heat like that?" Connor asked but he got no response as the Plymouth pulled out into a normal street. Connor looked behind him seeing the demons were not after them anymore
"Ok they aren't behind us anymore." Isabella said and turned to her father. He glanced at her and she knew he was upset. "Dad they could have killed Connor." She defended herself. "Besides you're the one who told me to go out,"
"Hey, not in the mood for a smart mouth at the moment." Angel snapped at her.
"Sorry," Isabella whispered looking ahead and it was quiet, uncomfortably quiet. "Seeing you go airborne like that was cool though." Isabella slipped in and from the corner of her eye she saw a small smile tug at the corners of Angel's mouth. "Can you teach me to do that?"
"No," He said quickly. "And if I ever catch you doing that," Angel looked to her and still had small smile. "I'll knock you silly." He finished and she smiled and he reached out pulling her closer and she hugged him.
"So what's going on?" Connor asked.
The Plymouth pulled around back to the hotel so Angel could have the cover away from sun light. The four piled out and headed inside the hotel together but then Connor stood there and Isabella turned back looking at the frighten kid. Angel could see he was pale, he was in fear.
"Connor it's ok." Isabella said as he stood there. "Come inside." But he didn't want to.
"Why?" He asked and then Angel walked closer to him and Connor looked up to the man clad in all black with a black trench coat.
"Because don't you want to look back on this and say you had the guts to walk in?" Angel asked and Isabella smiled and Angel headed back into the hotel with Isabella following and Connor followed. Angel always looked back and was in fear of following Buffy down that dark ally. Yes she kicked him in the back of the head but he would never regret it. The four made their way into the kitchen and Isabella ushered Connor to sit down as Cordelia filled up a glass of water for him.
"Hi I'm Cordelia if you need anything just let me know." She said giving him the glass and he took it. "Welcome to Angel Investigations where we help the helpless."
"Cordy," Angel said and she nodded.
"Right, you probably have a lot of questions. Well this is Angel which you already knew that so he'll explain things as best as he can." She then left and pulled Isabella out even though she wanted to stay.
"Hey," Isabella said in protest but it was too late. Angel stood at the end of the table while Connor sat at the other end. He looked at this young boy and already picked up he had the hots for his daughter but he needed to put that aside at least for now. It was going to be a long conversion.
"How long have they've been in there?" Willow asked Cordelia as everyone hung around the entrance of the hotel.
"I don't an hour maybe two." Cordelia answered.
"Well it's not every day you find out a demon is chasing you." Fred added and sat down on a seat.
"Yes I can imagine he's shell shocked right now." Wes commented Isabella looked up at them a little confused. "You were born knowing about vampires and demons he wasn't, I can imagine everyone here was surprised when you learn what actually goes bump into the night."
"Except me," Lorne said. "You know I was also…born into it."
"You know what I mean." Wes stated and it was quiet again.
"You really think we should have let Angel explain it to him?" Gunn asked.
"He's been in this world the longest, most experience, elder," Giles started.
"We get it Giles…" Isabella interrupted. "Dad's old."
"I kind of agree with Gunn though," Xander said. "I mean dead boy's been there and all but is he the one that's fit enough to say hey demons are after you, I'm a viscous vampire that's been reformed, married a slayer that kills my kind, we made a baby and now I run a paranormal investigation team with another vampire, two witches, a demon and an ex-demon?"
"And that's why you aren't the one talking to him." Cordelia said with a fake smile.
"Ok well what about Wes or Giles." Xander stated. "They are Watchers from the Watchers' Council."
"They'll spell out useless facts." Isabella added casually and the two Watchers looked at her.
"Our facts aren't useless." Wes defended.
"Well there's no way to break it easily usually you find out like how Connor did at least he's getting answers and won't think he's crazy." Willow added.
"He'll think we're crazy." Spike added into the conversion.
"Well if he doesn't believe us then Angel and Spike can vamp out and Lorne's here so what more proof do you need?" Xander asked.
"It's not that, he'll believe it but it's accepting the fact that these things are real is hard." Giles explained. "I don't think he's ready to except it and when he does it'll be face to face with a demon."
"Poor Connor." Willow said sadly and then Connor walked out of the kitchen with Angel following him. He looked pale and confused. Isabella stood up but avoided her eyes, he avoided everyone actually.
"Fred, Tara," Angel said knowing these two were the friendliest of the group to do this and they looked up. "I need you to get his parents and bring him here. If what Izzy said is true then the demons are after his family." The two nodded and headed to the training room for some weapons and then headed out. "Izzy," Angel said and motioned her for to come over to him. He bent down to her level. "Keep him entertained; answer any questions he has ok." She nodded and he walked away back to his office motioning for Giles to follow him. Isabella looked at Connor and nodded as he sat down.
"So…you're half vampire." Connor said and she nodded. "And your mom was a slayer?" She nodded again. "And your dad is a vampire?"
"Yup," Spike added. "You see he was once a bad ass vampire but love and pesky curse defanged him and now he's just a big fluffy puppy with bad teeth." Isabella looked up at him with a death glare.
"Really?" She asked. "Are you twelve or something?" Spike shrugged.
"How is that possible?" Connor asked. "I mean a slayer slays vampires why would she be with one?"
"It's a long story but it's like Romeo and Juliet." Willow stated with a smile. She always loved the Buffy and Angel story, romance, betrayal, heartache and heartbreak it encompassed pure love to the extreme. It was like watching a play but it was real. "But Angel and Buffy were madly in love with one another."
"Yeah dead boy's heart if it could would beat just for her. He'd call Buffy his slayer." Xander said.
"Dead boy?" Connor asked.
"Nickname see me and him never got along we just put up with one another, it's all cool though." Xander assured him.
"In love with a slayer how's that for a perversion." Spike scoffed.
"And you have a soul too?" Connor asked Spike.
"Nope got this chip, long story but it I hurt anything that's good I get this bone crushing pain in my head." Spike explained.
"Shock collar." Isabella whispered and Spike shot a look to her. "What?"
"I'm your number one uncle be nice." Spike said.
"Wait you and Angel are related?" Connor asked.
"To Peaches? Psh no but he is my Sire." Spike stated but Connor looked confused. "Oh right he's the vampire that made me, Sire, he sired me." Connor nodded slowly but still felt uncomfortable.
"Still odd two enemies would fall in love." Connor said.
"When you've seen what we've seen," Lorne jumped in. "Odd is just a normal day."
"It's not hard to fall in love with your enemy especially one like Angel." Fred began to explain. "I mean he's handsome, sweet and kind, you know if you go for that sort of thing." She trailed off.
"You know what Connor let me break it down to you on the Angel and Buffy history." Cordelia said and stood up walking to the middle of the room. "Oh Angel," She begun with poor acting and everyone watched. "I know that I am a slayer and you're a vampire and it would be impossible for us to be together," Willow didn't want to laugh but a smile tugged at her. Xander had a huge smile same with Lorne, Evan, Levy and Spike. Gunn chuckled a little and Isabella rolled her eyes. "But,"
"But," Wes said standing up and Cordelia jumped a little looking at him as he took off his glasses and set them down. He then squinted his eyes and deepened his voice a little. "My gypsy curse sometimes prevents me from seeing the truth, oh Buffy." He said looking up being way too dramatic which made Spike fight really hard not to laugh.
"Yes Angel," Cordelia said turning around looking at Wes.
"I, I love you so much I almost forgot to brood." Wes replied and now Spike couldn't back and Gunn laughed a little more. Xander shook his head and again Isabella rolled her eyes.
"And just because I sent you to hell that one time doesn't mean we just can't be friends." Wes then grabbed Cordelia still squinting his eyes.
"Or possible more."
"Gasp no we mustn't." Cordelia was now being way over dramatic. Wes then pulled Cordelia closer.
"Kiss me," He said.
"Bite me." Wes pulled her closer bending her over and pretended to bite her neck making sounds.
"How about you both bite me?" A voice said and the two stood up quickly seeing their boss standing there and Giles standing behind with a small smirk of amusement. Cordelia walked away fixing her hair and everyone cleared their throats trying to get serious. The subject of Buffy and Angel and their love was a very touchy subject around Angel. Connor sat there and while the little play was awful at best he understood the story or at least he thought he did.
"Angel we were just you know explaining and sometimes visuals are better," Cordelia explained herself and Angel looked at her curiously. "And besides if Connor remains friends with Izzy he's got to know all the history especially with you and Buffy I mean that's why we're all here."
"Right," Angel said and walked away and Cordelia sighed. Connor got the feeling he didn't want to share his and Buffy's story it was too personal and intimate and just for them. As the group was about to split off Tara and Fred came back running looking panicked.
"His family is gone." Fred said and Connor stood up worried. He checked the time and they should be back by now. "Their car was there."
"The place was trashed." Tara added.
"Willow," Angel said.
"On it," Willow got up to prepare a locator spell.
"Let's move it people like we've got a purpose." Angel said and they all headed to the training room for weapons. Connor felt lost and followed them in as they reached for swords, crossbows and axes. Isabella then saw him as he looked dazed and she walked over to him.
"Hey," She said and he looked up. "We'll find your parents and I know this is all well…over whelming at best."
"What can I do?" He asked, these people all knew how to fight, he could barely punch something.
"Grab a weapon you can carry." Isabella said and then Willow came in.
"Angel, ready when you are." She said and he nodded and they all filed out to the vehicles. The sun was setting so Angel and Spike had no worries. Connor followed Isabella and while Angel wanted Connor to stay behind he understood that wasn't going to happen. If Isabella was captured he'd follow those who were trying to save her. Connor crawled into the back with Isabella in the Plymouth while Spike got into the front seat and Angel turned the car on and backed out. Willow released the spell and all Angel had to do was follow it. Connor was nervous as they drove mostly because he was in a car with two vampires. Angel picked up on Connor's erratic heartbeat.
"It's ok." Angel assured him and Connor nodded and took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Just hours ago he was enjoying the afternoon at the park and now he was in the process of saving his family. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Isabella and she tried to give him a reassuring smile.
The locator spell led them the outer parts of town and hovered over a huge sewer covering. Everyone piled out of the cars and walked over to it.
"Yup the usual haunts." Xander said and Angel handed his axe to Spike and bent down removing the covering and looked down. "Ladies first." Xander said and Angel jumped down and looked around and saw nothing. Isabella sat down and scooted in and Angel reached for her and helped her down. Spike reached in and Isabella took the axe passing it back to Angel and Spike jumped down looking around and everyone started to jump in.
"Yuck smells awful." Cordelia commented as she took a look around. Connor was the last one in. But before anyone could react Angel raced to Cordelia catching her as she was having a vision. Everyone crowded around her waiting for it to subside. "His parents," Cordelia said. "They're down here, there's others too, owe." Angel looked up to everyone.
"Be on alert." Giles stated looking around and they waited while Cordelia recovered.
"This is going to get ugly." The Seer said as she got back onto her feet. Angel stayed close and looked around.
"All I smell is sewage." Spike said and Angel nodded, he couldn't pick any human scents except for those around him. "Well let the locator spell do its thing." Willow nodded and looked at the glowing light as it hovered over them. The floated down and was off.
"Everyone stay close," Angel stated. "No stragglers." He pulled Isabella closer to him and they all bunched up. Spike went to the back of the group watching the rear as they moved down the sewer tunnel. Connor was shaking as they moved, he was scared and still processing the fact that demons were real, that vampires were real.
The group had followed the little light and then Isabella grabbed her father's jacket.
"Whoa," She said.
"Yeah I'm getting it too." Angel confirmed what Isabella was smelling and feeling. "We're close, ok listen."
"You're plan right?" Spike asked. "Go in full out back against the wall." Angel rolled his eyes.
"Listen we'll sneak and surround them, Willow, Tara and Levy I need you guys to take out the energy balls ok." The three witches nodded. "Xander and Evan get Connor's family to safety and if there's anyone else help them." The two boys nodded. "Everyone else take out the demons."
"It's go time." Gunn said and they all headed to where the demons were. They all walked down the sewer tunnel which then widen and fanned out but something wasn't right, there were people but there was no fear. Angel had everyone hang back and he went forward with Spike and the two peered around the corner and saw men in suits walking.
"What the hell?" Spike asked and Angel looked to Spike. "What's the plan Sire?" He asked and Angel began to follow. Spike snapped his fingers indicating for everyone else to follow but be quiet. Angel snuck behind them as one man stayed standing there and the others walked ahead of him. Angel snuck right up behind him and then he knew exactly who these men in suits were, Wolfram Hart's people. Angel covered the man's mouth and with one quick move he snapped his neck and Angel eased him to the ground. Connor's eyes widen and Isabella could tell that dramatized him. Spike saw Connor's eyes and walked over to the kid placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Makes you wonder a few things, what's he like when he is evil and if god created us out of his own image who the hell created Angelus?" Spike then went to follow Angel and Connor pressed on with the rest of the group. They followed the men in suits and saw that the sewer tunnel fanned out even more and there was light, it was like a huge room they were coming to that led to stairs that went up. The group all fanned out and climbed up the ledge and peered over. Connor's family was there along with others as they were tied up. A huge demon sat on the far wall and the men and suits stood next to the demon master.
"Wolfram Hart," Isabella said to her father and he nodded. Wolfram Hart hadn't showed their faces to AI in a long time. This wasn't all by accident. Angel climbed back down and the AI team regrouped together.
"Same plan ok, just wait for my signal." Angel stated and everyone broke off except Connor stood there. "Go with Evan and Xander." And he nodded now it was just Isabella and Angel. Angel went to the base of the stairs with Isabella next to him. "Be careful."
"You know me," She said but his face was stern.
"I mean it." He cupped her cheek and she nodded knowing playtime was over. Angel pulled her close and kissed her forehead and she headed off. Angel let out an unnecessary sigh and waited for the group to get in their positions. Wolfram and Hart was back he had hoped that was over but it was wishful thinking. Angel twirled his axe and slowly made his way up the flight of stairs; it was time to crash the dinner party. Isabella climbed up the ledge and to the floor laying flat on the ground waiting. Willow, Tara and Levy chanted a spell that would break all glass allowing the energy balls to be broken. Hopefully there would be no human deaths in this as the demon master was huge and Angel was planning on taking him out. Angel reached the top of the steps and swung his axe at a demon and it hissed. The AI team ambushed the other demons and glass shattered everywhere. Connor ran to his family untying them and they hugged.
"Go run!" Xander yelled as he freed the other people with his son. Angel saw the master getting up and roared. One man in suit talked to his shoulder but Angel ignored it and charged after the demon master. The thing swiped it's huge claws at him and Angel dived under the demon and sliced some of its leg. The demon howled in pain and turned around ready to kill Angel. Isabella cut the head off of a demon and saw her father dodging the master demon's swipes and ran to help him. She ran behind the demon and swung her sword at its tale taking it off. The demon master roared in pain and Angel swung his axe into the demon's side while Isabella went to help him hack it to pieces. This was much easy than they thought.
"Go help them." Angel said to her indicating to help get the families out and she did. She was covered in demon blood and Angel was too. Another demon came after him and he kicked it back and killed it. Isabella untied some of the people and directed them to get out as she fought of f some of the demons. But as she untied a man and woman she turned around quickly catching an arrow and looked to the one who shot it.
"That was cool," The man said. With one hand she snapped it in half and tossed it away. "So it's true, it's the Day Walker."
"Yeah, name's Isabella who the hell are you?" She asked the man with shoulder length hair.
"Old friend." He said.
"Friends don't shoot at friends." The twelve year old said to the man holding up her sword.
"You look just like him except those green eyes." The man smiled. "I do want you Day Walker but right now I'm interested in your father."
"Well he's busy so sorry it's just me." She said and he nodded and he advanced to her with a sword and she blocked every move.
"Not bad," He commented.
"Only learn from the best." She said and swung again, ducked a swing and jumped away from one.
"I'm just going easy on you so here's what I can really do." The man then lunged at her and his blows were harder now. It didn't take Isabella out but she had to work harder. "I really want to fight your father."
"Good thing wishes behold you today." A voice said and Angel jumped over Isabella and kicked the man away. Then man rolled on the floor. "Get out now Izzy,"
"But,"
"That's an order." Angel said through his teeth and with that voice and growl Isabella did what she was told and ran out. The man got up laughing a little.
"Oh Angel, she's pretty," He said.
"You stay the hell away from her Lindsey." Angel warned him.
"Had to see it for myself but now I know exactly how to break you." Lindsey said.
"You touch her I'll kill." Angel growled and Lindsey smiled.
"Just like old times." Lindsey then threw something to the ground and a cloud of smoke appeared. Angel ran to him but he was gone. Angel looked around and saw he was alone and then headed off to the group, Lindsey was back, Wolfram and Hart was back.
Angel had a long talk with Isabella after everyone had got home about Lindsey. He told her if she ever saw him again to run. When Angel got a good hit out of him he felt a change, Lindsey wasn't that scrawny person anymore, something has changed in him and it wasn't for the better.
The awful weekend was over and Isabella sat at the dining room table alone. Tomorrow was school, Connor would he even be there? She sighed and then heard someone coming in well a few people. Cordelia, Giles, Willow and Xander came in and sat down at the table. This was the original group just Angel was missing and they knew why.
"So," Giles started. "All in all it wasn't a bad weekend." He said but that was an understatement.
"Dad told me about Lindsey." Isabella stated.
"Wolfram and Hart is back," Cordelia said.
"Yeah it's just as bad if the Master came back." Willow added.
"There are forces that are about to raid against us." Giles stated and took off his glasses and started to clean them.
"So now what?" Isabella asked. "I'm not two I'm twelve I can take care of myself."
"Izzy," Xander started. "Wolfram and Hart embodies evil it's like LA's version of the Hell Mouth,"
"Yeah just in suits," Cordelia added.
"This isn't going to be easy." Xander finished.
"Angel's the tool, you're project now Izzy," Giles explained. "The key to Angel's downfall will be you, Wolfram and Hart will try to use you in the brutal ways."
"They've tried on us once or twice." Willow added.
"You need to be mindful ok." Giles said to her. Isabella was like his granddaughter and he'd do anything to keep her safe.
"Oh no," Cordelia said and they all looked to her.
"What?" Isabella asked.
"Angel," She said and then Xander went wide eyed.
"What?" Isabella asked again.
"Uh well," Willow started. "For a while if a demon or Wolfram and Hart threaten us in anyway Angel would…I don't know how to put this,"
"Kill the demon or person, string them up and light them up like a Christmas tree." Xander said and Willow glared at him. "What?"
"Dad killed people?" Isabella asked, her father never kills people.
"Yes Izzy but they were bad men ok. They were bad men that tried to hurt us." Cordelia explained.
"If Wolfram and Hart is back," Giles started.
"Christmas trees are going to start showing up all over town." Xander commented and Giles sighed.
"I don't understand." Isabella said.
"It's a warning sign." Giles stated to her. "He'd take what he killed, put up on a high roof top, tie them up and light them on fire as a warning sign."
"Stay away from us." Willow finished.
"You mean he's going to start doing it again?" Isabella asked and they all nodded.
"It's a warning for Wolfram and Hart to stay away from us." She stated as she understood but Xander shook his head no.
"No it's not, we're all ok it's not us Wolfram and Hart are after it's you Izzy." Xander said and they all nodded to her. "Angel's going to warn them to stay away from you." Isabella looked around them room. "If they're smart they'll heed that warning."
Isabella sat alone in her room looking at her necklace, holding it. It was two gifts from her father to her mother and now to her. She knew her father was out there about to string up somebody's body as a demonstration. It should comfort her but it didn't, something was coming after her the only comfort she had was knowing her father would die to protect her.
Angel stood on the roof of a building looking at the dead body. It was a man in suit from the sewer. He hadn't done this in a long time but it was time to send a message, mess with my daughter this is what I'll do to you. He did tied the man to a pole and took out a small glass angel and shoved it down the dead man's throat and then dumped gasoline all over the man. Angel then took a step back and lit up a cigar and took a long drag looking at his handy work. This was Wolfram and Harts warning after that he'd start killing off its people, the kill no human policy was done especially when it came to Isabella. He took one more drag and then flicked the cigar at the body and it caught fire. He watched it burn for a moment and left.
Before going back to the hotel Angel made one last stop, the cemetery to a grave site, Buffy's resting place. He was on one knee before his slayer, his wife, his queen, his goddess. Angel had some flowers and laid them down on the ground looking at the headstone. He kissed his hand and placed it on the headstone and on the inside promised if anyone touched their daughter they were dead, he wouldn't think twice. Angel stood up and headed home backing away from her grave site and left. He needed her now to help and guide him.
Angel returned to the hotel and everyone was asleep. He slowly made his way to Isabella's room and knew she was asleep, her heart was slow and steady. He walked into the room and checked on her. She was asleep, safe and sound. He leaned over and brushed some hair out of her face and leaned in and kissed her cheek. He left the room and closed the door and decided to turn in for the night. As he turned on the light to his room he saw a picture of Buffy on the nightstand and he picked it up touching it and for moment he could feel her, her warmth embraced him and for once he felt calm and relaxed.
Morning had arrived and the roof top with a burnt corpse was surrounded by cops. Kate was there and walked up to the burnt body and with tweezers searched his mouth and pulled out a small glass angel and she couldn't help but smile slightly. She then turned to a man and a woman standing there. She knew these two Lila and Lindsey and she had feeling this man was burned because of them, no one messes with Isabella and gets away with it no one.
So Wolfram and Hart is back, oooo. Hope you liked the chapter and hoped it felt very Angel/Buffy the Vampire Slayer like. So what's in store for Angel and Isabella? Well more on the way so stay tuned. Thanks for reading, comments and reviews are welcomed.