Chapter 23 Working Together

The hotel was quiet as the council members walked around looking at things such as the training room and the library that held the books and Willow and Tara's magic ingredients. Angel was uneasy as these people were in his home taking notes hopefully they didn't complain about dust or anything. As Angel stood there watching these men dissect his place he caught site Quentin as he strolled around the lobby. The kids were at school and would be home soon and Angel was busy preparing Isabella for a test and now these guys had to blow into town. Quentin looked to Angel and they both exchanged looks that they needed to talk so Angel walked into his office as Quentin followed. The old man was a little nervous to be in the same room alone with Angelus. Angel offered Quentin to sit and he did.

"Angelus I know you don't want us here but we need to make sure the information we have is safe." Quentin explained to the vampire as Angel just stood there.

"You know the last time you and your men came around Buffy's powers were taken and she was nearly killed. When she told me I was maybe two seconds away from finding you and snapping your neck." Angel started and Quentin shifted uneasy in the seat. "Now you're here for my daughter the information you have might be useful but its Isabella you want."

"Ok Angelus we are here to observe Isabella." Quentin confessed. "She is rather remarkable when you think about it. She's human but has the vampire strengths she won't live forever but she is gifted with long life. And the day she becomes a slayer she could be unstoppable." Quentin explained.

"Thank you for telling me what I already know." Angel deadpanned. "My answer is no she stays." Quentin nodded knowing if he tried to take Isabella away well then his neck might get snapped. "No test of any kind and if I find you did put her or my team through a test,"

"Angelus we won't hurt her." Quentin was trying to reason with the vampire but when it came to Angel's daughter there was no reasoning.

"I'll decide what is and isn't hurting her like say a hiccup." Angel threatened and that statement meant there wasn't going to be a test of any kind.

"I never thought a vampire could ever learn to love." Quentin started. "Let alone fall in love with its mortal enemy and on top of that create a child with that enemy and love that child." Quentin paused for a moment. "Let's say Isabella does die,"

"Then I kill the one who killed her and then I'll sit and watch the world burn." Angel answered if Isabella dies before Angel then there was no reason to keep living no reason to become human. He would destroy the world and then die himself he would truly lose what humanity he had left. Losing Buffy was a blow and if she had died and he was left no child then Angel would have lost it a long time ago. Isabella was everything to him she is the reason why he wakes up, why he fights, why he still keeps going when all he sees is darkness. She like her mother is his light and an extension of his soul. If that light is ever snuffed then he dies too. Quentin wouldn't be able to get close to Isabella not with her father around.

Isabella sat on the ground with a blanket under her and Angel stood behind a headstone holding a book. It was night time and these two were on patrol which was nice to get away from the Council although they had a feeling that when they return they might ask Isabella to do something what was she some show dog? She doesn't do tricks like jump through hoops she was a person a kid that goes to school likes to have a coke once in a while and thinks that boys are actually cute these days. She wasn't an experiment but they were treating her like one.

"And on that tragic day an era came to its end. That's all there is," Angel finished reading the passage and then looked up to Isabella as she sat there with her book and a pencil. "You ready?" He asked and she looked up with her cute hair that was braided on both sides.

"Hit me." She confirmed she was ready.

"Which of the following best expresses the theme of the passage," Angel started and Isabella listened. They were studying while patrolling it was like killing two birds with one stone. "A violence breeds violence, B all things must end, C," But before Angel could finish Isabella blurted out her answer.

"B!" She said as she filled in the bubble on her answer book. "I'm going with B we haven't had a B in like forever." She said to justify her answer even though Angel wasn't done reading the last option. Angel gave an unnecessary sigh looking at his daughter as she looked up at him.

"This is your honor's qualifying exam not connect the dots." Angel explained and Isabella fought not to smile. "Please pay attention a low score might not get you in the classes you want." Isabella was very smart and the teachers recommended that she takes the honor classes in high school which will improve her grade point average and help her with colleges later. Angel was excited to hear his daughter was recommended for this and wanted to help in any way possible. But first she had to take the qualifying exam to get in and this was the dry run.

"Gee thanks that takes the pressure right off." Isabella stated and Angel rolled his eyes 'where did she get the attitude? Oh right thanks Buffy.'

"This isn't meant to be easy it's like a rite of passage imagine when you take your SATs and ACTs those are harder." Angel explained 'SATs and ACTs she's growing up way too fast and needs to stop.'

"Is it too late to join a local tribe where you get your face painted and something pierced?" Isabella asked and Angel just stood there and glared at her and she just shrugged.

"Concentrate." Angel said and looked back to the book but something was coming behind the trees and Isabella spotted it.

"Vampire!" Isabella yelled and Angel turned around as Isabella got up and jumped over the headstone and kicked the monster. Angel stepped back ready to help Isabella but this was a newly risen vampire an easy kill for her. The vampire got up and threw a punch and Isabella ducked and the stabbed him with her pencil. "Broke my pencil oh well let's go home," She said as she walked to her blanket but Angel whistled and Isabella looked to him and he tossed another pencil and she sighed.

"The answer is C all systems tend towards to chaos." Angel said as Isabella sat down huffing. "Don't look at me like that."

"You really want me to leave you and go to college someday?" She asked and that was a hard question. The answer was yes and no. Yes Angel wanted Isabella to go to college but then again he wanted her to stay here too.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there next question." Angel looked back to his book and Isabella sighed. She was truly something else.

The Watcher's Council was back at the hotel waiting for Angel and Isabella to come back. They could not test her in any way without Angel present. While some of the members felt this was a waste and go against Angel Quentin knew that would be an unwise decision and one that would cost their lives. As much as Quentin held his ground around Angel there was still fear and a sense of feeling so little and helpless around Angel he was Angelus to them. Angel had two sides and most saw his good side and being a father it came through even more. But if anything threaten his team mostly his daughter in anyway shape or form then prepared to fight for your life and prepared to die while in the process. Nigel was one of the members who wanted to test Isabella and possibly take her back to England to further test her. In his mind and the entire Council's she could very well be the next super solider in fighting evil and superior to the slayer. The slayer would become obsolete to a degree. They would try to find ways to use her blood knowing that's where the power lies and maybe make more.

That wasn't the first the reason why they were here but it was something they were thinking. But to even mention the idea to Angel to take his daughter away let alone experiment on her they would be dead so quickly they wouldn't even have known it happened. Angel and Isabella then walked through the doors with the Council waiting.

"Go upstairs please," Angel said quietly to Isabella and she nodded looking back at the Council and then Giles and Wes came out as Angel stood there crossing his arms.

"So how was patrol?" Quentin asked and Angel shrugged.

"Nothing unusual." Angel answered. "Got some studying done." Giles looked at Angel with a curios look. "She's taking her honors qualifying exam."

"Oh really," Giles looked pleased. "That's wonderful how is she doing?"

"Excuse me," Nigel butted in and Angel looked to the Watcher. "There are more urgent matters to discuss."

"Right just trying to have my daughter get the best education so yeah no big deal so what's so important to you?" Angel shot back and Wes smiled a little while the other Watchers just stood there.

"If it's possible," Quentin started and Angel stood there listening. "We have a small test to perform on Isabella nothing serious just a check of fighting it's rather simple." Quentin assured him and Angel thought about it for a moment and nodded.

Everyone piled into the training room as they started to set up. Isabella stood there with Angel close by as they set up what appeared to be a headless person and it was stuffed with hay. Giles inspected the dummy as it suspended in the air. Isabella had no idea what was happening as a few members tied off the rope. Angel walked right up behind her wrapping his arms around her shoulders and everyone looked confused on what was about to take place.

"Agility, clarity, stamina and strength these are the four qualities a slayer must present." Quentin begun and Isabella nodded. "You are not a slayer but you are stronger than one and these qualities should be heighten already." He then motioned for a member to come over and he held a piece of cloth holding it Angel. "Angel if you'll blind fold her," Angel took the cloth and then begun to tie it around Isabella when she whispered something.

"This is stupid why am I doing this?" She asked and Angel leaned in ear while tying the cloth around her head to cover her eyes.

"Because they're old men that can split us all up so we must kiss ass up to them." He whispered back and she giggled a little. "Now go make me a proud vampire." He spanked her and she took a few steps forward. Isabella then stood there folding her arms for further instruction.

"So let me get this straight," Giles started hoping he was understanding the task. "You want her to attack the dummy?" Angel looked confused yeah she can attack the dummy and probably kill it this all seemed very pointless.

"Oh no Rupert, Philip will attack the dummy," Quentin explained although that made little sense either and Angel thought 'oh yes because that makes even more sense.' "Isabella's job is to protect it."

"Protect the dummy?" Angel asked.

"Yes as if it were precious." Quentin now stood before Isabella. "Now Isabella getting the best of Philip will require agility, listening to my instructions at the same time will demonstrate clarity and then stamina and strength will win out the fight." Quentin finished and everyone in the training but the Council all looked confused.

"Then what she gets a gold star?" Spike asked but the Council ignored him.

"So good luck," Quentin begun but Isabella was still hung up listening to commands direction. Everyone begun to clear the area as Philip walked in.

"Instructions?" Isabella asked.

"Yes I'll be telling you what to do how to counter Philip's thrusts, assuming you're familiar with Japanese names for Iketo, jujitsu," Quentin looked to Giles and Wes and they realized even with Buffy they never taught in that language.

"Japanese?" Isabella asked.

"And go," The female Watcher started a timer.

"Oh wait just two seconds," Isabella started. "I can speak Gaelic can we do that instead?" Isabella asked but she got no answer. Quentin then said something that Isabella did not understand. "What?"

"Oh uh he wants you to bow. Uh take a bow." Giles translated and Angel just stood there as Isabella turned completely away from Philip and bowed to no one which made Angel smile. Then Philip begun to walk around her and Isabella listened in. She could hear the quiet shuffling of his feet and then threw a few punches but hit air. Philip then threw a punch and Quentin said a command. "Uh punch him." Giles said but it was too late Philip had punched her. Angel had to fight really hard not to take Philip out. Yes he knew this wasn't anything that could really hurt her but to see someone attacking his daughter all his feelings were telling him to defend and project his baby.

"Thanks Giles," Isabella grunted and held her defense.

"Sorry," Giles apologized and the little fight continued on as Philip planned another attack and Isabella listened again. Then Quentin spoke a slew of commands to her. "Uh back kick, elbow uh strike." But that came out wrong but Isabella followed his commands. Everyone watched somewhat with their eyes closed knowing this was going so wrong.

"How have you been training her?" Quentin asked.

"I train her to win." Angel answered and Giles and Wes nodded.

"And he's the boss." Wes added.

"You know what," Isabella started. "I'm gonna have to do it my way guys." She stated and focused on her hearing and she could hear the axe coming her way and she blocked it. Isabella jumped into the air kicking Philip while tossing the ax away but it actually ended up hitting the dummy. Isabella removed her blind fold seeing the ax in the dummy's chest and Philip was moaning and she knew some of this wasn't right. "Uh," Other Council members came over to help Philip up as he grunted in pain.

"I think she just broke my rib." He stated.

"Yes well," Quentin had to think for a moment.

"I didn't mean too I can do a redo I know I can do better." Isabella sounded nervous because one she hated failing at anything and this could be considered a failure and two she knew how important this was.

"I think we've seen enough." Quentin stated but Angel was getting agitated and walked over to the old man.

"You want to see her in action?" Angel asked. "Take down the dummy everyone clear the area." Angel ordered as he took off his coat and shirt so he was just in an under shirt and slipped off his shoes and Isabella knew what he was doing. They took center of the training floor as everyone cleared the area. The AI team smiled as they knew what was about to happen. "Focus Izzy don't worry about me ok?" Isabella nodded and held a defense pose likewise with Angel. They begun to circle one another and Giles smiled their sparing was something really fun to watch. Angelus the legendary vampire almost mythical verses Isabella his daughter his own flesh and blood the daughter of a slayer. Isabella was barely fifteen and she took out vampires and demons with ease. The two then begun with Angel throwing his first punch and Isabella ducked.

Isabella countered his attack with a roundhouse kick that Angel caught her foot but she jumped and twisted her body freeing herself up and delivered a one two punch combination as Angel blocked. They would throw punches and kicks but they would either dodge them or block them all together. Some of the Council were taking notes and Quentin while he didn't show it he was impressed. Isabella was fast she had incredible speed and everyone from AI wondered how fast could she get as she trained and matured let alone if she became a slayer. Isabella jumped into the air and managed a good solid kick in her father's jaw sending him back a little. Angel regained focus and delivered a kick to her chest and she went to the ground but jumped right back up to her feet then rolled to the ground extending her leg swiping it and Angel landed on his back. Isabella ran up to him put one foot to his neck and then mimicked stabbing him with a stake.

"I win," She stated and Angel gave her a small smile of approval. He didn't go easy on her maybe two years ago he would ease up a bit. But these days she could take him out rather quickly and Angel wasn't going all soft either he was upping his game which on the battle field really helped. She kept him check and challenged ever since she was a baby Angel was on his toes. Before when she was a baby especially when she figured out how much fun it was to walk she got into everything. Children up to a certain age have no fear and Isabella being born from a vampire and a slayer she really had no fear. For a few months her name was 'No Izzy.' Her fighting style had become more defined and more focused and she knew how to calculate moves almost before they happened. She still had a ways to go but if this is any indication for the future then vampires and demons don't stand a chance.

The next day came around and today was the so called review. Because the Council did not interview anyone liked they planned or could close enough to Isabella well there wasn't much to go on. They got to see her fight but they couldn't test her like they wanted to. Giles and Wes knew Angel didn't want them here and not to test anyone but the way the Council is they will use that against him. They also knew the Council might try to justify why Isabella should go to England and that would upset Angel maybe enough heads would roll.

Angel poured out some M&Ms on the table as Isabella sat there. He walked away putting them away as Isabella picked them up eating them. Chocolate and peanut butter or M&Ms seemed to help relax her more than any other treat. Angel leaned up against the counter watching her eat and smiled remembering when she was little and how she ate M&Ms back then.

'Angel reached into the bag and put a little less than a handful of M&Ms on the table for her.

"More?" She asked.

"No that's enough." Angel said to his four year old and she sighed and started to sort them. She sorted them by color in rows after that she would make sure there was an even amount.

"Dad one more?" She asked and he came over knowing if they weren't even there could be big problems.

"What color?" He asked.

"Uh," Isabella looked at her M&Ms. "Blue." She answered and he searched for a blue one and set it in the blue row she had. "Thank you."

"No problem." Angel then reached into the bag and ate a few himself just to get a faint taste. Isabella hummed to herself as she ate her little treat but then she had question for her dad as he cleaned up the kitchen a little. She would be going to bed after the snack.

"Dad," She started but he didn't look up. "Dad I talkin to you." She raised her voice a little.

"Oh yes," Angel acknowledge her.

"Why," She looked around and saw Willow passing by with Levy. "Why do little girls have little boobs?" She asked and Angel's eyes widen and if he could blush he would. Willow heard the question and stopped to hear Angel's answer because this moment was priceless. Angel had no idea how to answer that and these were the times he wished Buffy was here to explain these kinds of things.

"Uh," Angel thought the best way to answer this as Isabella sat there waiting. "Why?" He asked and she nodded. "Uh good question uh you know what how about you ask your aunt Willow or your aunt Cordy." Angel suggested and she nodded and went back to eating her M&Ms.'

She was so cute back then now she was just gorgeous. She doesn't sort them out any more but she still preferred even numbers. As she finished Giles came into the kitchen signaling it was time for the review. Isabella sighed as she got up and Angel took her hand and they walked to the lobby. Quentin was sitting behind the main desk trying to look official and the man in charge. Isabella stood in the center of the lobby and Angel took the corner near the door. The AI team sat on the stairs while Giles and Wes stood opposite of Angel by the door.

"Well let's begin shall we," Quentin put on his glasses looking at his notes as Isabella stood there. "Well we'll begin with,"

"No," Isabella cut him off and the old man looked up as the teen stood there. "No," She said again. "You came into our home trying to throw your weight around because of a few rules so no. I am not the slayer so by all accounts I don't have to listen to you." Isabella paused and Angel gave a small smile. "There isn't going to be a review, no integration, no hoops, no jumps, no questions that you know I don't have the answer too let alone the one you want." Isabella then crossed her arms defensively. Then Nigel started to say something. "And no interruptions." She added and Nigel backed off. "First no I will not go to England I'm not a something to look at under a microscope so scratch that off your list. These last few days you've guys have been telling everyone here how unimportant they are even threatening some." She meant Lorne and Spike.

"We would never threaten our own people." Quentin stated.

"Your people?" Isabella asked.

"We're Angel's people." Everyone said at once.

"Well I just help when it suits me." Spike tossed in there and Angel smirked.

"It doesn't matter I'm tired of me and these people being told how unimportant we are. But I know why you keep saying it its called power. We have that power and I have it and you guys want to control it." Isabella stated. "It bothers you and the Council what we have here because it works and you want it." Quentin narrowed his eyes but said nothing. "You guys didn't come all the way from England to determine whether we were good enough to be let in. You came to beg us to let you in. This would give your jobs your lives some type of meaning."

"This is absurd," Nigel began but Isabella took out a stake and threw it at him. It missed but it was a warning.

"I thought I said no interruptions. Next time my dad will take care of it and it's been a little while since he's killed a human so it might take a while." Isabella said and Angel's smile grew this was truly his daughter this was Buffy now.

"That was awesome." Evan stated as he sat on the steps.

"You're Watchers but right now without us you're pretty much watching master piece theater." Isabella started and Giles and Wes smiled. "You can't stop Wolfram and Hart actually you can't do anything with the information you found except publish it in the 'Everyone Thinks We're Insanos' home journal. So this is the deal," She looked directly to Quentin. "You're going to tell us everything you know then you're going to leave. We won't ever see you again you will never make against anyone here again. You will contact us if and when you have any further information for us. This team stays together and because I will be a slayer someday I need a Watcher and because I'm also some other worldly being I should get two Watchers. So Wes and Giles will official Watchers reinstated at full salary,"

"Retroactive," Giles coughed.

"To be paid retroactively from the months they were fired." Buffy added. "I'll continue my work with the help of everyone here,"

"I, I," The woman Watcher started and Isabella turned to her. "I don't want a stake thrown at me or Angelus to kill me but civilians I mean some are children." The woman started and Isabella looked to the crew as they sat there.

"Two powerful witches, an ex-demon, a demon, the second deadliest vampire, a seer, a genius, a witch in training I don't see children." Buffy commented.

"I mean the three well humans so to speak what about them?" She asked meaning Gunn, Xander and Evan.

"Those humans have more experience than all of you guys put together." Isabella stated Gunn, Xander and Evan smiled. "Now you may all be very good at your jobs but the only way we're going to find is if you work with me. No more working in the dark we want to take out one of the biggest and baddest evil we all need to work together no more power play." Angel smiled he was proud of her. "So what do you think?" She asked Quentin and he nodded.

"Your terms are acceptable." He said and the AI team clapped and cheered Giles cheered a little too but quiet down for a moment. "See no big deal." Angel then came forward and placed both hands on his daughter's shoulders.

"Well I suppose you want know what we know." Quentin suggested. "It's well Wolfram and Hart is allot older than you think and we've managed infiltrate their system." Quentin flipped through the pages. "It's not good they have connection in politics, money if they are stopped then yes their followers will stop too. But they extend beyond this realm."

"What do you mean?" Angel asked.

"Something called the Senior Partners control them and they've recently sent a scout or messenger." Quentin explained. "This thing is powerful something that takes more than a stake to kill and he is putting something in motion to set forth the end of days."

"What are they setting up?" Isabella asked.

"That we don't know our spies were killed before we got the information but it's not good. They mean to strike at you," Quentin didn't look at Isabella but Angel. "You in particular they want you for something because you play a role in the end of days. We believe that they want you to either sign your prophecy away or they want Angelus."

"They failed at getting Angelus." Giles added.

"Once maybe but Angel and Isabella you two are the targets right now." A Watcher added and Quentin nodded.

"This thing they sent they call it Marcus he will either divide you both unless you both join him." Quentin explained. "He's a part of the Hart and he won't stop until one of you is dead most likely you Isabella you pose a bigger threat and they wouldn't mind having Angelus on their team."

"So what do we do?" Angel asked. "How do we kill this Marcus person thing?"

"We don't have the answer all know is Wolfram had some idea to start the end of days and Marcus will be that driving factor. There's something else that will ensure the end but we don't know. We'll leave you the notes and you guys can do whatever you want to decipher them." Quentin said while standing up. "A word of caution especially to you Angel keep her close." Angel nodded and for a small moment had a tiny bit of respect for the man. "Also we have received word that Buffy is being talked about and they fear her because she is Valkyrie and she appears to you. A Valkyrie is not of this plain and so they can't hurt her."

"You mean Buffy is coming to help?" Angel asked.

"You might have been a monster once Angel but the higher and good forces out there favor you." Quentin finished and the Council left as everyone from AI sat around looking at one another.

"Wow what a day." Xander added to the silence and the stack of papers that the Council brought was left on the lobby desk and it was time to sort through them.

"Anyone got a feeling we're going in wave over our heads?" Lorne asked raising his hand and everyone looked at him. "No ok well how about a drink?" Giles picked up the papers looking to Wes it was going to be a long night for the Watchers.

Isabella finally went to sleep and now Angel was going to bed too. He was tired but he knew he needed sleep for whatever was coming.

'Angel sat by the window looking out into the streets. He felt someone in the room and knew who it was.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Nothing just checking on you." She said as she sat down behind him. "Isabella is asleep and fine I'm worried about you," She then wrapped her arms around his shoulders resting her head on his bare back. She felt so real it sent a chill through Angel.

"What's going to happen Buffy?" Angel asked and she then rested her chin on his shoulder.

"I don't know Angel things are getting hard to see. I see two outcomes." She answered and she knew Angel wanted to hear them but she didn't know if she could tell him. "Angel I shouldn't."

"Please I have to know." Angel insisted.

"Outcome one you win, Wolfram and Hart is defeated. But the second outcome," She paused and he felt a tear hit is shoulder. "Isabella and you die."

"I won't let that happen not if I can help it." Angel stated and Buffy nodded and pulled away and kissed the tattoo that represented Isabella and then her tattoo that symbolized her. She kept her lips on his back and then kissed his bird tattoo. Angel just sat there feeling and trying to remember it before waking. He turned around seeing her and she still looked perfect. "Why did you pick me?" He asked meaning why did she fall in love why would she allow him to be the father. "What makes me so special I'm a monster?"

"I don't see a monster." She then reached out and touched his face and with her powers forced him to change to his vampire form. "I never saw a monster, I never saw a vampire just a man like I see before me now." She glided her finger tips on his cheeks to his lips. "I feel in love with a man and now I see in that man a true father and a champion." She then stood up and he stood up too. She then cupped both his cheeks and leaned in for a kiss. She kissed the vampire but in her mind she was just kissing the man she always loved. She kissed him like this once before and this was to prove she saw passed that because she always saw passed that. Angel accepted the kiss and pulled her in closer. She pulled away and his features went back to beginning human. "A storm is coming."

"I know,"

"If you defeat Wolfram and Hart there will be another." She stroked his cheek. "Take care of her." Angel nodded and leaned in for another kiss and she walked backwards leading him to the nearby bed so they could spend the rest of his dream together. This was the only chance to hold her and when he wakes up it felt real but she wasn't there. He longed to wake and she'd be there but this was what he had to settle with. Buffy looked up at him and placed and hand back on his cheek and he nuzzled into it and let out a soft purr and kissed her hand. She was the only person except for Isabella who could tame the monster, the beast. Angel leaned in for a kiss and she pulled him closer wishing he didn't have to wake up. She wanted to be on earth with him with her daughter. There had to be a way to come back and to fight.'

Did I hint Buffy might be returning and not just as an apparition? Maybe if you've read The Gift then you'll know. So next we will kind of do a hop and a skip and Isabella will be in high school and fifteen closing in on sixteen. It might seem like a chunk of time will go missing but not really. I'll fill in the blanks in the next chapter. But the next chapter Angel is going to change and then we see the big battle and then we're in The Gift awesome right. So I'm thinking maybe five more chapters at the most. So getting down to wire pretty cool. Once this is over then I'll start to rewrite The Gift. More on the way comments and reviews are welcomed thanks for reading.