Chapter 20 Tik Toc
A/N: Ok we need a pallet cleanser after the last chapter because I know it was a happy yet very sad chapter. So what's happening with this one? The title says something if you know the song by Keisha but it has another meaning and you'll find out about at the end, double meaning. This chapter will mimic Buffy the Vampire Season 3 episode 6 Band Candy and season 4 episode 5 Beer Bad so I think you might see where this is going. Enjoy.
Isabella and Angel explained to everyone what had happen in the dream, what Buffy did and there was an incredible sad feeling in the room. All of them either wished they could have been in the dream with them or somehow Angel could have brought Buffy back. It was such a tease and it hurt. But the hurt wasn't as deep for them as it was Angel and Isabella.
Isabella sat on her mat in the training room and the look she carried was of disappear and grief. Angel walked in as he was going get her ready for a training session he saw nothing but sadness. He knew that feeling all too well. Isabella didn't even look up to her father as he walked through the training room grabbing his own mat and set it next to her and sat.
"Hey?" He asked and she finally looked up at him. "I'm going to tell you something and I know right now you'd rather be alone and plus what do I know right?" Isabella said nothing. "I know exactly what you are feeling. You feel like you were betrayed, there's questions that are left unanswered. And all the while you live inside your head trying to recreate that perfect feeling and no matter how hard you try it's not even close." Angel finished, he was right, why was he always right?
"How come you have to be right all the time?" She asked.
"I'm your father I'm always right." Angel smiled a little and there was a small smile trying to tug at Isabella. "I had to give up on a dream too years ago. Did you know I was human once?" He asked.
"Well duh I mean you have to be human before you become a vampire." Isabella added and Angel shook his head no.
"No I was human for a day, full twenty four hours. I fought a demon and its blood mixed with mine and it made me human." Angel explained and Isabella sat up a little more. "Your mother and I were together for a whole night. I went to Oracles and they told me I was relieved of my duties."
"You were human like a real human?" Buffy asked and he nodded.
"But the demon came back and I went to kill and if your mother hadn't been there I would died. I realized that I couldn't protect your mother not as a mortal. And if I remained mortal and you were born I won't be able to protect you. So I asked for the Oracles to change me back." Angel explained.
"Dad," Isabella protested, she was on the verge of anger. Her father was human and he took that back, the very thing he always wanted he took it back. "Why?"
"Because I knew my purpose I was that champion of the hapless human race. The Oracles turned back time so I could kill the demon before its blood mixed with mine. That day never happened, no one knows except for Doyle and Cordelia." Angel finished. "I know what it feels like to have something that you wanted, it's all you ever wanted it, it made you whole. And then for it to be gone like it was dangling before you, I know what that pain feels like." Isabella nodded. "You will never know how strong you are until you've been tested. So far Isabella you're passing." And she smiled.
"Wow you being human I hope the Shanshu happens I'd like you to be human." Isabella commented.
"It wasn't my time to be human yet it was an easy way out." Isabella nodded; her father was the real deal. He was given many chances to be happy but chose the hard way a way most people would back out from. People were too afraid to give up things for the greater good, too stupid to see if they give up the petty and fake things then they could have the real thing. But Angel he's sacrificed more than his fair share and she just knew someday he had to be rewarded for it. "Before we start training I need you to understand something."
"Ok." Isabella was going to accept his words; he was close to three hundred years old he knew a thing or two about life.
"Isabella you're so unique there has never been anything like you created and because of that you can be unstoppable." Angel finished. "Focus and there may be nothing out there that can't touch you." Angel then took something he had set on the floor. Isabella didn't notice it when he came in. It was a long rectangular box. "I've lived in this world for almost three centuries and there's one thing I've learned. In this world you can't trust anything but you. Because in the end there is only you in the end all you'll ever have is you, just you." He then handed her the box and she took it. Isabella took the top off and a beautiful sword laid in it. "Late birthday gift." Angel added quickly.
Isabella grabbed the sword by the handle and set the box down. The blade was new, shiny and sharp. Then as she looked up and down this weapon she noticed at the base of the handle there was an engraving two actually. One side was Angel's tattoo of the gryphon with its feet forming and 'A' and on the other side was the claddagh ring with the heart, hands and crown. Those were parents' symbols. But also she could feel the handle had some engravings on it too. She looked to it and her father's and mother's names were edged into it. She smiled looking at her brand new weapon.
"I told you once if you learned to use your head I would teach you to use a sword, here's your own." Angel explained and she smiled her own unique weapon.
"Can I kill something with it?" She asked and Angel smiled.
"When your homework is done and we go out on patrol." Angel stated and she nodded looking back at her sword. Angel made it himself, he made the steel blade, he wield the metal, made all the engravings. The sword was a symbol of Angel and Buffy's love, strength and power. Then it would be used by the very gift out of that love, out of that strength, out of that power they created together a real true gift a force no one should underestimate. No one knew for sure how Isabella came to be and there were a few theories but Angel's belief and for mostly everyone else it was she was created out of love. Angel and Buffy had that forbidden love but it was love. It wasn't lust it was love that was true and solid. A love few rarely found and in it came Isabella. She was the perfect blend of Angel and Buffy down to her green eyes and brown hair. Angel never thought once he could have children and yet here she was the best thing he could ever have.
Angel sat at his desk reading in the dark. Isabella and the kids were at school and it would be at least another two hours before they would be home. But then Spike poked his head in and then back out. Angel could sense him knowing her was itching to ask a question.
"What?" Angel asked without even looking up and Spike stepped casually in the office.
"Oh nothing mate." Spike answered and slowly walked in looking around. "Can you even read in the dark?" Spike asked and Angel looked up. "Oh right suppose you can vampire right so can I." Spike cleared his throat.
"What do you want?" Angel asked and Spike sighed as Angel kept reading.
"It's Friday night," Spike started.
"No." Angel answered without letting Spike finish.
"Oh come on mate when was the last time you unleashed it?" Spike asked and Angel kept reading. "Back then you were the vampire to party with come on it'll be fun." Angel said nothing trying to ignore Spike. "Fine." Spike left and Angel thought 'thank god.' And he went back to his book until he looked up and everyone started to pile into his office and stood there. "We're doing this the hard way."
"Angel," Cordelia begun. "You need to get out more so all of us are going out tonight and being normal people." She explained.
"Uh what about the kids?" Angel asked hoping that would get him off the hook.
"First they're fourteen they can pretty much watch themselves." Gunn added.
"But just in the off chance Giles and Lorne have agreed to stay here and keep an eye on them." Willow finished smiling. Angel sat there looking at them as they were eager for him to say yes. Angel knew he wasn't going to win and they drag him out no matter how much he kicked and screamed. He did that sigh which meant yes and there were a few 'yeses' as they won.
Isabella, Evan and Levy came home and Connor came over to join them when they smelt dinner. But it was a little early for dinner the three thought so they headed to the kitchen with Connor following.
"Oh good you guys are home." Willow said as she cooking with Cordelia.
"Yeah what's going on?" Isabella asked.
"We're all going out tonight well the adults at least so gotta make sure you guys eat plus we need to get ready." Cordelia stated. "Connor joining you guys?" And Isabella shrugged nodding as in 'yeah I guess.' "Ok well sit." And the four of them did and Willow and Cordelia served them some pasta.
"Wait is dad going out too?" Isabella asked and Cordelia nodded. "How did that happen you torture him or something?" Isabella asked taking a sip of her water and Cordelia shook her head no. "Wow that's a shocker."
"Why?" Connor asked as he was about to take a bite of his spaghetti but the noodles unraveled and fell back on his plate.
"It's kind of like an eclipse," Levy started to explain. "Doesn't happen that often." And that made Isabella smile.
"Love to see your father drunk." Evan added. "That's even rarer than an eclipse."
"That's the plan." Cordelia stated.
"What get dad drunk?" Isabella asked.
"Oh yes," Spike said walking in. "Little history lesson nibblet your father back in the day before he became all soul having he knew how to put it down couldn't keep up with him." Spike explained.
"Ok I want to see that." Evan added and Isabella shook her head smiling while eating.
"How drunk?" Isabella asked she was little concerned mostly because she would be the one taking care of him in the morning when he had a hangover. Spike had to think about it.
"So much so we will have to carry him home." Spike answered and Isabella sighed.
"Well be careful with him I kind of like need him." She warned and they nodded.
Isabella, Evan, Levy and Connor all sat at the dining room table working on homework when Angel walked in. Isabella looked up he was dressed in nice black dress shoes, black slacks, a black button up shirt, black vest, hair was neat and done up.
"Wow dad." Isabella commented and Angel stood there.
"Is this clubbing...clothes?" He asked confused and Isabella got up smiling.
"Whoa looking good mister O'Brien." Levy said turning around while Evan and Connor were shocked. Isabella walked up to her father and button up his vest. "Your dad is hot." Levy blurted out, she meant to keep it to herself but sometimes she just spoke her mind. Everyone then looked to her and she was blushing.
"Ok ew and I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Isabella commented as she buttoned up the last button. Isabella went to touch her father's hair to keep it spiked but he pulled away.
"Oh not the hair never the hair." Spike said as he walked in and Angel looked over as Spike set down his jacket. "He's got his nancy boy hair gel that he likes so much." Angel did his best to ignore it. "But other than that you look good mate." Spike was in black slacks too with a red button up shirt and would wear his long jacket. The kids wanted to see what all the adults looked like as they got up and headed to the main lobby to see. Willow was dressed in a knee length red dress while Tara was dressed in green dress that was just a little longer.
"You two look like Christmas." Levy pointed out. Xander was in a nice shirt and blazer while Anya was in a blue dress that came just above the knees.
"Whoa mom, dad." Was all Evan could say. Cordelia came down the stairs in a black mini dress while putting her ear rings in. Wes walked in with a nice casual suit and Fred was in a nice brown dress. Gunn walked in wearing black slacks, a white button up shirt and a blue vest.
"Wow you guys." Isabella said, they all looked great.
"We're not too old to party?" Willow asked and Tara shook her head no. Giles and Lorne walked in looking impressed.
"You sure you two can watch them?" Angel asked hoping one last time to get out of this.
"Dad we're fourteen." Isabella stated, she really wanted him to get out and actually enjoy himself.
"Plus misses Anderson thought it would be really funny to assign a ten page paper on the Civil War over the weekend and make it due Monday." Evan added. Giles was excited about that he could help with their papers.
"Ok come on guys better get going or we won't get in." Cordelia said in a hurry voice.
"What club?" Isabella asked.
"Some new place." She answered.
"Izzy," Angel started while putting on his trench coat. "Be in bed by midnight," Isabella rolled her eyes. "Also the number where we can be reached is in the kitchen,"
"Yes I know," She said while fixing her father's coat and then started to shove him out the door. "Also by that number is the police station, fire station and probably the National Guard yeah it's going to be fine." She insisted as everyone moved outside. "Now go have fun, I order you to have fun." Angel turned around to say good bye but first handed his keys to Spike to drive the Plymouth, Angel was taking one of the motorcycles, and he didn't want to be jammed into a car.
"Go easy." He said as Spike smiled taking the keys. "Ok I'll be back in a few hours."
"The night is young go shoot a Russian unicorn." Isabella said and Angel looked at her funny.
"Is that a youthanism for something?" He asked and Isabella rolled her eyes.
"Dad be normal get tipsy, dance, party until the sunlight." Isabella said and he couldn't help but smile and they shared a quick hug and he was off. The kids all waved to their parents as they got into the Plymouth or on a bike.
"Have fun!" Levy called out as the engines started. Giles couldn't help but smile as they all pulled out of the driveway.
"Oh god I'd pay big money to see your father dance and get drunk." Giles said while crossing his arms, he was almost sad he wasn't going as the vehicles started to pull away.
"Oh yes." Isabella added and then the parents were gone and the kids headed back inside.
The adults all walked together to the club and waited to be let in. It was early but the amount of people showing up meant this place was the place to be. The group was only four people away from getting in so they had a spot. Angel was dreading it, it meant lots of people. He was only doing this so they would get off his back for the moment. The bouncer then let them in and the place was big, loud, lots of flashing lights and of course lots of people.
"This is neat." Spike said as they all looked around the place. Angel just wanted to head to the bar but he knew that wasn't going to happen.
"Let's get a table and then some drinks!" Cordelia had to scream and they all nodded and went to look for a table and found a booth. Angel scooted in thinking, it was early and the place was already filling up meaning it was only going to get worse. But as Angel was about to get settle he felt Spike grab him by the shoulder.
"Come on Peaches drink run." Spike said and Angel thought about it. To get him through this hell hole he would need at least five shots of Jameson to get him to relax.
Meanwhile at the hotel Giles had a dry erase board up and writing down notes on the Civil War for the kids. Lorne came in holding a drink and sat down for the history lesson.
"Now you had the Union and the Confederates," Giles begun as the four of them either listened or jotted down notes.
"Not to sound like a party pooper but this is really boring." Lorne stated while sipping on his colorful drink. Giles sighed as he kept writing. Lorne was mostly saying how he wanted to be out partying with the others but got stuck with babysitting. The gang wasn't going to a demon bar just a normal human club and Lorne didn't fit into that crowd. Angel and Spike did as long as they didn't vamp out.
"It's an important piece of history that the children should know and understand." Giles explained and Isabella sighed, this was going to be her weekend it couldn't get any worse.
At the local police station Kate just wrestle a man into a cell for being drunk and disorderly. It was a Friday night so yes it was to be expected but she noticed there were more drunks than normal. Plus the time of the night it was, it was rather early for this.
At the club Angel had eighth empty shot glasses same with Spike.
"Go, go, go!" The adults cheered on Angel and Spike as they both downed their ninth shot. Angel slammed down his little glass on the table and everyone clapped. The table was getting full of beer glasses, wine glasses, mixed drinking glasses and shot glasses.
"Wow," Gunn clapped as Spike was showing signs of giving but Angel wasn't even done drinking. If he had stayed human he probably would have died of cirrhosis of the liver because back then he was a drinker heavy to be exact. When he was a vampire he could drink even more as alcohol takes a little longer to affect a vampire. So nine shots he was feeling good and loose.
"Let's dance." Cordelia suggested and they all agreed and they piled out of the booth while drinking the last bit of liquor at the bottom of their glasses. Even Angel got up and followed. They all made their way to the dance floor and begun. Angels stood there for a second watching others dance studying them. It was really just mating while standing up he thought. Everyone cheered as a new song came on and the lights went crazy and some people went even crazier.
At the hotel the kids were on a small break after putting an outline together for each paper. Giles wasn't a bad teacher and they felt they learned a little more than their actual teacher taught. For an English man he knew quite a bit of American history. Isabella yawned as she was bored of this and really wanted to go out kill something.
"Angel?" A voice asked and everyone in the dining room looked up. Kate then came in and she saw the kids, Giles and Lorne there and that was odd.
"Kate what's up?" Isabella asked.
"Not sure your father here?" She asked and Isabella shook her head no.
"He and the others are out clubbing." Lorne said with a little sadness in his voice.
"Wait," Kate begun. "Your dad is clubbing?" She asked Isabella shrugged smiling. "Wow I would love to see that." Kate couldn't help but laugh a little. Angel didn't come off as a clubbing type.
"Well is something wrong?" Giles asked while sipping on his tea.
"I'm not sure," Kate started as she sat at the dining table. "Lately we've been getting more drunk people at the local police stations it's becoming a problem. Like right now our jail is full of nothing but drunk people." She explained.
"Wells its Friday right?" Connor asked.
"Yeah but to have that many drunk people plus smaller police stations are full too and the night is young. Maybe at three or four in the morning do we get the drunks but it's eleven." Kate explained and that was odd. They all looked to one another. "I was hoping your father could help in this."
"Well we could call I mean we got the place's number." Isabella suggested and she got up and walked over to the kitchen to get the number while Giles followed and she handed him the little sticky note and Giles picked up the phone and dialed the number. It began to ring as he waited.
"Ethan's," A voice said and Giles hung up. Isabella looked concerned and confused.
"Uh hey Giles?" She asked and Giles looked to Isabella. "Giles?"
"We've gotta go." Giles said quickly.
"Hey wait what's going on?" Isabella asked.
"Kate I need you to go pick up Angel and the others." Giles started.
"Hey!" Isabella spoke up. "Hey what's going on?"
"I think I know." Giles stated. "Come on guys I'm going need your help." Giles said and they all left the hotel even Lorne followed.
"Ok explain please." Isabella stated as they piled into Kate's small car and she pulled away and drove.
"Ok Ethan's how long has been open?" Giles asked.
"I don't know never heard of it." Kate answered.
"Wait Cordy said it was new." Isabella added.
"Ok when did you start noticing more drunk people?" Giles asked.
"I don't know maybe three weeks ago and it's getting worse." Kate explained as she drove.
"That's sounds great but who or what is Ethan?" Isabella asked.
"Ethan isn't a very good person guys he's stopped by to wreak some havoc here." Giles started.
They pulled up to the club looking around as people waited outside to get in. The group got out of the car and looked around.
"Ok there's no way we're getting in." Connor stated.
"Even if we could you guys are too young." Giles added. "Now what?" Giles asked.
"Uh guys hello back entrance." Isabella said and they all had that look like 'oh yeah.' The seven of them headed around back to the ally way and saw the back door. Connor ran up to the door and jiggled the handle and sighed.
"Locked, no way in." He said.
"Ok move," Isabella shoved through everyone and looked at the door. She then kicked just right under the handle and the door opened.
"Wow she's strong." Kate commented to Giles and he nodded and they headed inside. They could hear the music blasting and looked for a way to get to the actual club itself. Isabella led the group as she found a door and slowly pushed it open and there were lights and the music was even louder. They all went through the door and were up in the rafters and walked along the walkways.
"This place is packed." Evan commented.
"What?" Giles asked as they could barely hear one another.
"I said this place is packed!" Evan yelled.
"Why do want an ice pack?" Giles asked and Evan rolled his eyes and kept walking.
"What?" Connor asked tapping on Giles' shoulder.
"He wants an ice pack!" Giles said to Connor.
"Oh yeah we are kind of like a wolf pack!" Connor said and Giles turned away and kept walking. Finally Isabella found a good spot to where she could see the entire dance floor. They all looked trying to find their parents. It looked like allot of fun seeing people dance. There was like a teenage bar that they would go to once in a while but this was cooler.
"Can't wait until I'm twenty one." Levy commented as she looked for Willow and Tara.
"This place is awesome!" Lorne commented and Kate nodded she couldn't deny that. Then a new song came on with the screens saying 'Shots' on them as servers went out passing shot glasses around. Then Isabella spotted her dad as he held up the shot glass and downed it. Wow its true her dad could put it down. But also she noticed he was dancing. Her father was always the classic, waltzing type of dancer. But right now he was dancing or at least trying to dance. He had some rhyme but she kind of crinched at it. Then Angel and Spike took two shot glasses off the server tray and downed one and then another.
Then some woman was trying to dance on her dad. She felt a small sense of protection taking over. But her father didn't seem interested and she left and Isabella relaxed for a second. Spike however was a different story as the screens repeated the word 'Shots' over and over again.
"Well I found your dad and Spike!" Connor yelled and Isabella nodded then the song had a break down moment and Angel and Spike tried to break down too. Isabella wanted to laugh but she knew this was serious.
"We need to get down there." Isabella stated as she looked around but she could tell Kate and Giles were slightly amused by Angel and Spike. Isabella looked around and then pointed to what looked like a way to get down.
"Lorne head back outside and we'll meet you there." Giles said to Lorne and the green demon nodded and headed back to the way they came. The song changed into something techno as Isabella finally got to the dance floor and pushed her way through the crowds to get to her father. Kate and Giles stayed behind the kids to make sure they didn't get lost in the sea of drunk people. The lights were flashing which threw off Isabella's vision a little. Flashing lights for vampires is like what light does to a bat, they can't see very well. Isabella was half vampire so while she could see sometimes it felt like the floor was moving under her. But she continued and picked up that her father was nearby. Then she saw him dancing or maybe that's what he thought was doing in his head.
"Dad!" She yelled to get his attention as she pushed her way to him but he ignored as he moved. "Dad!" She pulled on his coat and he looked down slightly.
"Izzy!" He said smiling and danced a little. He looked really happy a little too happy for Isabella's liking, yeah she was thinking about cutting him off. Him dancing was funny at first but now it was just sad. "Isn't this cool? I'm having fun! This has to be greatest song!" Angel yelled as he started to dance to the techno beat. Isabella looked mortified, something was going on her dad was enjoying techno.
"Dad we need to leave!" She said grabbing onto his arm. "Giles says Ethan is back!" But that didn't seem to bother him as he kept moving. Evan and Levy were trying with their parents and Kate and Giles were trying with the others. "Dad!"
"Ok just one more shot besides the best part of the song is coming!" Angel yelled.
"Dad this is techno you've never listen to techno before!" Isabella informed her father.
"I know it's awesome!" Angel stated and grabbed a shot glass off a tray and went to down it but Isabella snatched the glass from Angel. "Hey that's mine give it!" He demanded as he reached for it.
"No you're done!" Isabella yelled. She could see that the gang looked sad that they were being dragged out. "Giles!" Isabella yelled and handed him the shot glass with the clear liquid. "Here now let's go!" Isabella grabbed her father's hand and dragged him away. As she pulled him along he was dancing as he walked. Isabella was glad that this place had no one she knew that could see this; it was completely embarrassing as Angel danced as he walked out. The kids managed to get their parents up into the rafters but not without difficulty.
"Wow this is cool." Angel said as Isabella pulled him along and then out the back into the alley way. Lorne waited as he saw everyone coming out of the back door. "Steppy step, step." Angel said as he walked down the three steps with Isabella still holding his hand.
"Oh my," Lorne said as he saw the AI team drunk, drunker than he's ever seen.
"No I want to go back in there." Cordelia stated and Giles managed to grab her and she stayed back.
"No you don't." Giles insisted.
"I don't?" Cordelia asked and Giles nodded. "Ok." She seemed ok with that. Giles then looked at the shot glass and walked over to Lorne. Lorne took it and sniffed it and then gave a strange face.
"Well it's a Jagermeister most likely a Jager bomb." Lorne stated.
"What's a Jagermeister?" Isabella asked the only alcohol she knew about was Jameson because well that was Angel's liquor of choice and then the Blessed Trinity which was Guinness, Murphy's or Beamish. That was it Angel would only drink those. He'd cook with one of the beers too when he made certain foods for her. And if they had an Irish dinner then anyone of those four drinks would be in Angel's hand. Isabella was interested in tasting one but Angel wouldn't allow it not until she was eighteen and it would just be a taste. She knew a few more Irish drinks but that was it. Angel always said American beers tasted like piss so she never saw anything like a Busch or Budweiser in Angel's hand that was Xander. Angel had a fine taste for his alcohol.
"Well sweetie," Lorne started. "You know how in fairy tales there's a potion that always puts the pretty girls to sleep so a prince can kiss them and wake them up?" Lorne asked and Isabella nodded. "Well it's like that except instead of waking up in a castle, they wake up in a frat house and their reputation is ruined." Kate couldn't help but smirk and Giles rolled his eyes. "Anyways there's more in this bomb than just Jager and an energy drink."
"So someone is spiking…alcohol?" Kate asked confused and Lorne nodded.
"The stars are so nice tonight." Angel stated and Isabella looked up to her dad.
"Dad we're in the middle of LA you can't see the stars." Isabella explained but Angel didn't say anything he was just gazing up at the sky. "Ok so the alcohol is cursed what does that mean?" Then Spike started to laugh as Xander was on the ground laughing.
"Kate anything interesting happening to the people after they sober up?" Giles asked and she shrugged.
"They seem like zombies but that's normal they just talk about going back and they're going to bring more people." She explained.
"So what's his deal?" Connor asked. "Just get people drunk?"
"Too many drunk people can cause a large amount of damage." Giles informed them.
"Well shut the place down." Levy said as she was in the middle of Willow and Tara holding them up as the giggled nonstop they were all giggling nonestop.
"I can't, "Kate started. "There's no indication they're doing anything wrong."
"Loop hole?" Evan asked as his parents started to make out on the ground. "Stop, stop, stop." He tried to break them up. Anya wined as she sat up against the wall and Xander just stayed on the ground. Isabella rolled her eyes and looked to her father who was still star gazing in his mind.
"Look a shooting star." Angel said pointing and the adults looked up smiling.
"Dad that's an airplane." Isabella explained but Angel just stared at it and Isabella turned to Kate.
"It might take time to find one." Kate stated.
"We don't have time people are going to leave and get hurt or worse, we have no idea what kind of effect this will have." Giles informed the sober people as the dunk people just giggled and fought to stay standing. Isabella was getting impatient and then to turned back to her father and grabbed him by the cheeks yanking him down so they were face to face as he smiled and then cupped her cheeks.
"Dad focus," She started. "You focused?" She asked and he nodded smiling. "Ethan Rayne?" She asked. "Do you remember an Ethan Rayne?" It looked like Angel was thinking about it.
"Oh yeah skinny dude, box looking face, he turned everyone into their costumes once and then made all the parents into teenagers once." Angel said and Isabella nodded.
"Good well he's back and I think he's spiked your drinks." Isabella explained.
"What?" Angel asked and looked concerned. "That piece of,"
"Well at least Angel is aware of it." Giles added.
"I'm gonna kick his ass." Angel stood up and went to walk away but Isabella grabbed his arm.
"Dad you're drunk and can't even walk straight no." Isabella said.
"I'm your father and a vampire so you do what I say and go home," Angel started and pointed up to the sky. "And go to bed." Isabella just stood there.
"Dad,"
"Isabella no we'll figure something out." Giles stated no use in arguing with a drunk person you get nowhere.
"Spike," Angel looked over to Spike and he came stumbling over. "We've got a bone to pick."
"Awesome let's go," Spike slurred and wobbled a little. "Whoa," Spike stayed standing and looked at his hands. Angel then looked at his own hands and they just stared at them. Isabella just looked confused then Wes saw what they were doing and looked at his hands followed by Willow, Tara, Anya, Fred, Xander and then Gunn. Cordelia was on the ground on the verge of passing out as she leaned up against Gunn.
"Cool," Xander said while wiggling his fingers.
"Are you sure they're just really drunk and not tripping?" Lorne asked.
"Tripping?" Isabella asked.
"Yeah you know LSD? Acid the phrase is tripping on acid." Lorne stated and Isabella nodded.
"What if they are and drunk too?" Kate suggested.
"No this is something mystical." Lorne stated as he sniffed the glass.
"Whatever how do we get to Ethan?" Isabella asked they can talk all night about what's in the drink but that wouldn't do much. The one who could defeat Ethan was wasted. But then Isabella had a good idea. "Kate?" She asked. "If four teenagers were found in this place how fast would it get shut down?" And Kate smiled and Giles knew what the plan was ok. Isabella then turned to her dad. "Ok dad," She pulled him so he stopped looking at his hands. "Dad I'll be back soon just stay here and don't wonder off ok." Angel nodded.
"Aye, aye captain." Angel said while saluting his daughter and she felt like she shouldn't leave him alone. She looked to Connor, Levy and Evan and they went to follow. Kate headed back around to the front to prepare to walk in the front to shut the place down. The kids headed through the back and made their way to the dance floor. They stayed close as they tried to get to dance on the floor. It was kind of fun but the feeling that their parents couldn't help them made them uneasy. The only comfort they had was the fact Isabella knew how to fight and Kate, Giles and Lorne were right outside. The music was pretty cool and then people started to talk.
The kids stayed close as people started to leave stumbling out it meant Kate did it she had the place closed but for how long? The four stayed close hoping Ethan would show up. The club had over two hundred people in it so they moved out of the way as people left looking confused. Then they spotted Kate walking around as the place started to clear out and they headed to her.
Meanwhile Giles sat down on the ground next to Angel as he seemed to getting sleepy. Then Angel turned to Giles smiling. The good thing about this Angel probably won't remember half of this.
"Why did you become a Watcher?" He asked and Giles sighed. "I mean you've lived here in the states and you still have your English accent I mean I lost my Irish accent a long time ago." Giles tried to ignore Angel because he started to not make any sense. "I said I would go out and have fun but sitting in an alley isn't fun but I am getting hungry maybe after this is over I'll get Izzy a Happy Meal. She use to love them mostly the toys." Then the back door opened and it was Connor. Giles stood up and Lorne would now watch them. Angel watched Giles disappear into the building.
There were a few stragglers leaving as the music started to die down and a man came out to the floor.
"What's going on why am I being shut down?" He asked.
"Ethan Rayne?" Kate asked and he nodded.
"I'm detective Kate Lockely and I was tipped off that there were underage people here." Kate said calmly and Ethan looked to the three of them as they stood there.
"I can assure you detective I don't know anything about this." Ethan said but one of the kids caught his attention as he looked to Isabella. He's sworn he's seen her before but where. "What can do?"
"You tell me what you're doing to the alcohol," Giles said coming in and Ethan looked more than shocked.
"Rupert?" He asked and there was a slight rise of panic in his voice. Giles came over standing behind the children. "New group of brats?" He asked.
"Ethan I'd like you to meet Isabella daughter of Buffy." Giles said and Ethan backed away a little. He heard of the slayer's death but he didn't know about a daughter. Isabella stepped forward.
"I promise I'm just running a bar and," But Isabella didn't buy it she picked up on his scent and was riddle with fear and deception.
"Don't lie Ethan," Giles added. "Because outside waiting is Angel," Ethan remembered Angel too. "Not only is Isabella Buffy's daughter she's Angel's too." Ethan looked back to the young and he could see both Buffy and Angel mixed in. Ethan then went to run but Isabella ran after him. At the same time Ethan ran a few bouncers came out and attacked the kids, Kate and Giles. Isabella stopped running and wanted to help her friends but Giles gave her that look to go and get Ethan. Isabella ran after the older man and jumped over the bar and Ethan stopped as Isabella stood before him. He then grabbed a bottle of alcohol and smashed it against the counter top breaking the glass so now it was jagged and held it up in defense. Isabella stood there plotting her next move. She saw a stirring rod on the floor and with one quick move picked it up with her toe and threw it to Ethan and hit his hand going through it causing him to drop the bottle and scream. He took out the rod and threw it back at Isabella but she dodged it.
Ethan jumped over the counter top as Isabella followed him. He would knock over chairs trying to keep Isabella away but then he tripped and saw a pair of black shoes and looked up seeing Angel standing there. Angel reached down grabbing Ethan by the collar letting his feet dangle and Angel vamped out roaring. He may be drunk but no one throws a stirring rod at his daughter. Angel threw him across the way as he skid and then was at Giles' feet.
"Still playing the same game aren't we Rupert?" He asked and Giles nodded.
"A game you keep losing." Giles then kicked Ethan in the head.
The bar was surrounded by cops now as Ethan was being escorted out. The alcohol at least the cops thought it was spiked with LSD but it was actually a potion. That potion if ingested long enough would cause the person to die. It made the alcohol sweeter and easier to drink. Also it allowed the people to take in more than they usually could. But the upside to this was it wears off. Kate would have a case on her hands but that was ok just one more bad person locked away. As Ethan was carted off he and Giles exchanged looks. Giles knew all too well that this might not be the last time he'd see his old friend.
Isabella walked over to the other side of the cab helping her drunk father out as he was getting more sleepy than drunk. She pulled him out and helped him to the hotel. Levy did the same for Willow and Tara as they giggled. Evan helped his parents, Connor helped Cordelia, and Giles helped Wes and Fred. Kate had Gunn and Lorne was helping Spike as they slowly got to the hotel.
"I won't blackout I won't blackout." Spike repeated as they made their way inside.
"This night was awesome." Gunn stated smiling. "But I've gotta pee." He stated which made Kate realize he probably couldn't stand up without help meaning she might need to help him until he stopped walking and found a tree. Kate turned her back as he went and Isabella thought that was just wrong on so many levels.
"Xander guess what," Anya started and Xander looked to her. "I'm drunk and I've heard drunk sex is great."
"Mom no," Evan pleaded as he got his parents inside. Everyone piled into the hotel but Angel hung back and looked to Isabella.
"Please don't tell your mom I did this." He pleaded and Isabella smiled. "She'll kill me."
"Dad it's ok." She assured him and he leaned in and hugged her. She was lucky she was strong like a vampire because her dad was almost dead weight. "No clubbing for awhile." She felt him nodding on her shoulder. "Ok dad ok come on let's get you to bed." Angel nodded and then almost tripped but Isabella had him and they walked inside. Gunn didn't make it and just laid out on the floor, Spike on the front desk top. He insisted this was his room so he just sprawled out on the desk top. Giles just made sure that the blinds were closed so he wouldn't burst into flames in the morning. Angel giggled as he literally skipped to Spike and shook him while scream.
"Man sod off! I'm trying to sleep!" Spike yelled and Angel laughed while Isabella grabbed her father to get him up to his room. Gunn laughed at that scene as Angel stumbled up the stairs. By the end of the stairs Angel was literally crawling and then sprawled out on the floor in the hallway.
"Dad you can't sleep in the hallway." She said and Angel just laid there and nodded as Isabella leaned over and helped him up.
"Don't tell mom," He pleaded again.
"I won't mom will never know this happened." Isabella insisted.
"Ok good," Angel said as he crawled into his bed and it felt good. "I'm so sorry I drank twelve shots and three beers." Isabella's eyes widen but she wasn't going to say anything.
"Just get some sleep." She said as she took his shoes off.
"You going to steal my shoes?" Angel said and Isabella giggled.
"No dad now sleep." She said and kissed his cheek and left and Angel rolled over to sleep. The morning was going to be rough.
Buffy kissed him smiling before she would leave the dream. Isabella was next to him sobbing. 'The Powers That Be owed me one and I didn't waste it.' Angel saw something flashing a face it was grey with horns, ram's horns almost. Then some monster that was red in skin, thinning white hair with orange eyes. Another that looked like the devil right out the bible, a woman with blonde hair. Three men and a green monster of some kind and in between each image of these people or beings was a circle with thorns on it. The circle was black the thorns were black. These faces stared at him then they disappeared and Buffy was standing there.
'Kill them all Angel.' She said then the most awful image he ever dreamed of was Isabella, her eyes gouged out, bleeding and screaming. 'Angel!' He heard Buffy's voice screaming in terror for him. The faces and the circle with the black thorns flashed everywhere. Then he saw fire, he saw fire consuming LA he saw it consuming the world. He was looking at hell.
Angel woke up looking around and sat up. He ignored the pain in his head as he looked to a picture of Buffy. She was telling him something she sent him a message a vision. He saw faces of these people, people that could make hell reign on earth. They failed at getting Angelus. Buffy did something somehow she made him go away he could feel it so he was out of the equation. But these people, things he saw he knew they were connected to Wolfram and Hart but he knew they were the ones who could hurt Isabella probably because they knew she was one of the only one to stop them. A plan started to form in his head; he knew what he had to do.
Circle of the Black Torn has been introduced… So now what? It's not going to go down like it did in Angel the series similar but not quite. I've got some plans. Now I also hinted something in the last chapter about Buffy. She said "I'll be being seeing you two soon?" Well if you've read The Gift then you know what she means if not then oh you'll love what I have in store. The Gift will be rewritten when I finish this story and my other one. I re-read it and there's so much that I can add and it'll make it flow better and just make it better. The Gift was the second fanfic I've written so there's much to be desired so it's coming back revamped to a FanFiction site near you ;) Thanks for reading comments and reviews are most welcomed.