Redemption

by kinoa

This is the final book in the The PTB'S Boss Sends Help trilogy. Angel will become human a little at a time. He is being given time to adjust. The families will increase. Who will die first Angel or Cordelia?

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

A Flame of Love

On Monday morning Cordelia contacted Fr. Barris and told him that they were ready to start interviewing people to help with the hotel and cooking. Of course Fr. Barris understood the necessity for only certain types of people to be sent so he worked with one of the Sisters that ran a shelter for migrant workers. By asking certain questions he was able to get the information he needed and thus send only the "right kind" of people.

Cordelia started interviewing applicants on Tuesday and in all she saw 7 couples through out the week. All were either too old or too young and she was looking for someone closer to their own ages. They had to be able to move quickly if need be and that left out those that were too old. She didn't want anyone that was too young because she knew they would leave as soon as they finished their schooling for a better job or they just didn't know how to clean house or repair anything. By Thursday she was starting to think that it would be impossible to find anyone until the last 2 applicants of the day walked in.

They introduced themselves as Mr. Joaquin Sanchez and his wife Mrs. Connie Sanchez. Cordelia guessed that they were among the many former farm workers that were trying to get out of an endless cycle of seasonal farm work where they and their children lived in poverty. The woman was dressed in a long, brown, cotton skirt that went to just below her knees. Her blouse was also of cotton and was a bright orange which went with her skin color perfectly. Her jet black hair was braided and hung just below her waist which was small although not too small and Cordelia estimated she wore about a size 6. She was about 5'3" with most of her height coming from her legs. The man beside her was dressed in jeans, boots and a flannel shirt along with a cowboy type of hat which he removed when he came into the hotel. He looked as though he worked out with weights regularly and she could see that his hands new what hard labor was. His skin already showed the affects of long hours in the fields under the hot California sun.

Cordelia walked over to them and introduced herself. "Hi I'm Cordelia Chase-Martin and this is Angel Investigation. Are you here for the housekeeping job?" "Yes Mam." The woman answered. Cordelia took them over to Angel's office. She pointed to the two chairs in front of the desk then sat in the chair behind the desk. "Before we start would you fill out this short form and give me at least one reference if possible. I am going to leave you alone for a few minutes to fill these out." Cordelia gave them the forms along with a couple of pens. She went into the kitchen then to make some hot tea.

The men came up from the basement after a workout. Angel had told Cordelia that Wesley was working hard to get himself back into shape because he really was looking forward to going camping this weekend. "How's it going?" Angel asked. "The two that just walked in look promising. They seem to be about our age, not you of course, but the rest of us." "Ha ha, very funny. I'm going upstairs by the back stairs so I don't disturb them." Angel grabbed a glass of blood and took it upstairs. Cordelia picked up the tray of tea and returned to the office.

"I brought some hot tea." She picked up the forms they had filled out. "Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez would you like some tea?" She put the forms down then reached for the teapot. "Yes may I have some." Mrs. Sanchez said. Cordelia poured her some tea then looked at Mr. Sanchez. "No thank you." "Well then give me a second while I read about you. She took a few minutes to read the forms then put them down.

"What did Fr. Barris tell you about the job that your applying for Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez.?" "Please call me Connie and my husband prefers Joaquin." Cordelia noticed how good her English was. "Okay Connie and Joaquin. Can you tell me what Fr. Barris told you about the job?" "He said that we would be cleaning an old Hotel that a private investigation group called home. He said that the job included room and board and we would be cooking and cleaning all of the first floor and the hallways. He also said that babysitting would be expected when needed. He said we would be given two days a week off and two weeks paid vacation and on occasion we would be expected to go with you to another home that you have in Sunnydale." Cordelia noticed that Connie did all of the talking while her husband didn't say a word. In fact he didn't seem to be interested in the interview at all. She did notice though that his eyes were scanning the books behind Angel's desk.

"I noticed you looking at the books behind me Joaquin. Do you like to read?" "Yes, I love to read so much that my Connie is always having to tell me to put whatever book I am reading down so that I can get some sleep." "Well Joaquin and Connie I have a good feeling about this interview. I think we have found our helpers but I would like you to do one thing before we finally decide to hire you or not. Can you make dinner for us tonight so we can see how well you cook?" "Yes but it's kind of late. Can I see what you have in the kitchen so that I can see what you have for me to use?" "Sure just follow me. You can leave your things here if you want."

Cordelia took them to the spacious kitchen. "As you can see we have a large kitchen and I have a large pork roast over on the counter that has been thawing out." She showed them the pantry and the well stocked refrigerator and all of the equipment that was needed to cook enough food for the usually large group. When she was done she asked "So what do you think?" "I don't think that I will have any problem. May I ask if you like Mexican food?" "Of course we do in fact we have a very pregnant woman upstairs that dreams about Mexican food. The only thing that I am going to ask you not to touch is this refrigerator over here. My husband's personnel stock is in here and he is very touchy about anyone getting into this refrigerator. If he needs anything from here either he will get it or I will." "Yes Mrs. Martin. May I ask when you would like supper served?" "We usually eat around 7. At this moment we have 6 men and 6 women in the Hotel but make enough for 14 and of course yourselves. We have two people that I never know if they will be here or not so I usually make enough for them also. If you need anything that you can't find just come and get me I am going to be downstairs washing clothes." Cordelia went downstairs then and Connie started pulling out things to be cooked. She put her husband to cutting up the pork and she started making a batch of tortillas after putting on some pinto beans.

By 7 p.m. people started coming down the stairs. Dr. Martin had been working at the hospital all day and had just come home at 5 o'clock. She had enough time to take a shower and a short nap. As she came down the stairs with Giles she sniffed the air. "Oh my goodness Rupert that smells heavenly. I am starving." Connor came running downstairs followed by Toby. "Common Grandma or its all going to be gone by the time you get there." He went running downstairs but put his brakes on as soon as he saw strangers.

"Are you the one that's creating that heavenly smell?" Connor asked Connie. "Si I am guilty as charged." Cordelia came from the basement when she heard so many foot steps upstairs in the dinning room.

"Connor would you help me set the table and I'll introduce them to everyone at the same time. Connie do you need help with anything?" "No Mrs. Martin everything is ready and as soon as everyone comes down we will put the food on the table." "Okay we should have everyone here in the next 10 minutes." Cordelia and Connor set the table and made ice tea for everyone. When the table was set Joaquin started bringing out bowls of chopped tomatoes, sweet onions, green onions, shredded lettuce, sour cream and bowls of shredded cheese. By now everyone was downstairs including Wesley and Fred. Hunter and Dr. Thompson came in also. Connie saw the extra people coming in so she started making more tortillas. After two more sections of the table were put in and more place settings added Connie and Joaquin started bringing in the hot food. Three large bowls of pinto beans, rice, meat, and red chili were placed equally around the table. Cordelia also brought out three bottles of Beano. Everyone laughed when they saw the Beano.

When Angel sat down he looked at the food and wondered how he was supposed to eat it. He looked at Cordelia questioningly. "Uh Connie, I think we are supposed to put this together in a certain way but we've never had such a magnificent display of food. Could you or your husband show us how to put this together?" "Oh yes of course. I'm sorry I didn't think. This is a dish that is common to Albuquerque New Mexico. I will show you. May I have someone's plate please?" Connor offered his first. Connie took it then placed a fried corn tortilla on the plate first then some beans and red chili, then another fried corn tortilla. On top of this layer she placed a spoonful of rice and meat with more chili. Then she put some tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese and a spoonful of sour cream on the top. "Now some people put 1 or 2 fried eggs on top of the last layer before you put the tomatoes on. Some people call these Haystacks but in Albuquerque we call these enchiladas." Connie gave the plate to Connor and he cut out a fork full.

"Oh, oh this is good, this is really good. It's hot but it's good. Lorne should be here to try this." Connor started cutting up more and eating. Everyone else started making their enchiladas. At that time Lorne walked in.

"Hi everyone, I was passing by and I smelled this delicious food and I knew Connie and Joaquin Sanchez were cooking in here and I just had to come in." Connie and Joaquin went over to Lorne to greet him.

"You know Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez?" Cordelia asked. "Of course, who do you think sent them to Fr. Barris when I heard you were looking for help? They used to work for me back in the kitchen." Lorne looked around as though he was looking for someone. "Where is Mama Lucinda and Jr.?" Connie waved her hands to tell him no.

"Is there more to your family Connie?" Both Connie and her husband looked nervous. "Yes Mrs. Martin I have a son that is 13 months old and my husbands mother is out in our car with him." "Joaquin please go and get your mother and son and bring them in so they can have dinner with us. Cordelia went to get 4 more place settings while Gunn and Rupert found 4 more chairs. Everyone scooted down to make room. When Joaquin returned his mother carried his son who looked like he just woke up. His mother looked to be around 60, she had long braided black and gray hair. Her face showed the affects of working in the fields picking fruit and vegetables for the big farms. Her back was slightly bent from the long hours of being bent over while picking those vegetables. Connie came and took her baby from his grandmother.

"Mrs. Martin this is my husbands mother Mrs. Lucinda Sanchez and my son who we call Junior because he was named after his father." For the first time Angel spoke up. "Please sit down everyone and join us in this magnificent feast that Mrs. Sanchez has prepared."

Everyone sat down and started serving themselves. The chili was hot and the ice tea was being drunk by the buckets. As Mr. Sanchez ran out of corn tortilla he took some flour tortilla and tore off two small pieces and made scoops out of them. Without the assistance of spoons he scooped up the rest of the food and ate them like this. Connor was watching how he was doing this and tried it. It took a couple of attempts but he got the hang of it. "Hey guys look how Mr. Sanchez is using the tortilla to get the rest of the food without using a fork or spoon." They all watched him then tried doing the same thing. When they were done they all leaned back in their chairs. The men loosened their belts and you could hear them say ahhhh.

"Okay I am putting it to everyone raise your hand if you think we should hire them." Cordelia said. Hands went up all around the table and the vote was unanimous.

"It looks like you're hired. Welcome to Angel Investigations." Cordelia got up and shook their hands. "Now let me introduce you to everyone. I don't expect you to remember everyone's name so don't worry about it." Cordelia started with herself then went to Angel. She put her hands on his shoulders and said "This is my husband Angel Martin. Our investigation business bears his name because he started it. This is our baby girl Mary Kathleen Martin. We call her Kathleen." Cordelia went around the table telling them what each persons name was and what they did. Connie and her mother in law were very happy when they heard they had so many doctors living in the hotel.

Joaquin was sitting next to Lorne so he leaned over and whispered something in Spanish in his ear. Lorne then answered him out loud. "Yes he is that Angel. Spike here and Hunter are also Vampires but they are like Angel they both have souls. Buffy here is also the legendary Slayer." Joaquin gave a low whistle. Again he asked him in Spanish, "Do you think they would like to taste my specialty?" "Well I really don't think they have any room for it but I'll ask. Angel, Spike, and Hunter Joaquin here makes a drink out of blood that my bar was famous for. In fact I think I am going to loose a few clients when they find out he isn't working there anymore. I told him I didn't think you have any room but that I would ask. Would you like him to make you some?" "None for me I think I'll explode if I have anymore." Angel said as he patted his stomach. "But Mr. Martin you haven't eaten very much you must have room for more." Joaquin said. "I haven't been eating solid food that long besides my wife likes me slim and trim. I'll try your specialty tomorrow though." Joaquin looked at Spike and Hunter. They both answered with a no.

Cordelia was watching Connie feed her son a mixture of pinto beans that was mashed with the bean liquid and one teaspoon full of red chili. This was all mixed in with a spoon full of rice. Dr. Martin saw the look on Cordelia's face. "It's okay Cordelia, the Mexican people start their babies eating food like that early in life. That's why they can stand the chili being so hot when they are adults." "Let's see if Kathleen will like it." Cordelia made up a small bowl of the bean liquid and a few beans that she mashed then added the rice and just a half spoon full of chili. Kathleen eagerly opened her mouth and took the food that her mother offered her. She pushed it around in her mouth with her tongue then swallowed. Cordelia was surprised when she opened her mouth for more so she gave her the rest. "That's my girl." Angel said. Then Angel quickly grabbed a glass of ice tea and drank it down. His mouth still felt like it was burning though. He looked at Kathleen and realized it was her mouth that was burning so he took an ice cube and held it for her while she rubbed her tongue all over it.

"Look at her she didn't even cry even though it was burning her mouth." Angel said.

"Dad we have to introduce them to Toby and we probably have to go through the same thing with the Sanchez baby as we did Joyce." Connor said. "Yeah let's take care of it now. Besides I need to get up from here and walk some of this off. Connie, Joaquin and Mrs. Sanchez would you come over here into the Lobby we have to go through a kind of ceremony and introduce your baby to Toby." Angel said as he got up. "Who is Toby? I thought everyone in the Hotel is right here?" Connie asked. Connor came over to the other side of the table and called Toby who was outside. Toby was now a large full grown German Shepard and he scared the Sanchez's when he came running in and up to Connor. "Don't be afraid he is very well trained and he is also Kathleen's playmate and protector. That's why we have to show him Junior so that he will know that he has another playmate to protect." Connor then took Toby over to the Lobby. Everyone else went in also.

Angel told the Sanchez's to sit on the floor with their baby. The grandmother was given a chair to sit on since it wasn't necessary for her to hold the baby. Angel and Cordelia sat on the floor with Kathleen. "Connie and Joaquin hold your hand out for Toby to smell then Connor will tell him to protect you. Mrs. Sanchez put your hand out also. When he has smelled them Connor go back and let him see the baby. He may act differently with him since he is much older."

Connor took Toby to Connie first. She put her hand out and Toby sniffed her hand then licked it. When he did that it made her feel more at ease. "Can I pet him?" "Yes." She pet him and scratched the area between his ears. Connor gave Toby a command to protect her. He then went to Joaquin and did the same thing. When he went to Lucinda she spoke to him in Spanish and they all laughed when he tipped his head as through he was saying "What did you say?" Connor then took him back to the baby. Connor got on one knee and took the baby's hand and held it so Toby could smell it. Toby looked at Angel and Cordelia then at Connor. Connor once again gave the command for him to protect. Junior squirmed his way out of his mother's arms. He wanted to touch Toby.

Everyone's eyes, except for Connie and Joaquin, went to Kathleen. Kathleen sat up when she saw Junior reaching for Toby. Toby turned around then and went to Kathleen and licked her face. Kathleen used him to stand up and then he went to the new baby. Kathleen let go of Toby and went to her knees and crawled over to Junior. She took his hand. Everyone thought she was going to kiss him but she surprised everyone when she put his hand in her mouth and bit him. Of course Junior screamed and started crying. What happened next surprised everyone even more. Toby barked at Kathleen and pushed her away with his nose. Then he grabbed the back of her clothes and pulled her over to the playpen and lifted her up and jumped into the play pen with her. He put her down then jumped out again and went back to the little boy. He licked the little boys tears and his hand until he stopped crying.

Angel fell backwards laughing. "What is so funny? That was something else that he did. I thought only Lassie could do stuff like that." Cordelia said with a smile. "I'm laughing because she is mad as hell at Toby but she isn't crying. I don't think she'll ever do that again. What he did was better then any punishment that either you or I could have handed out." Toby went back to Connor then and Connor patted his side and gave him a kiss on his head to let him know that he did good.

"Well Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez it looks like he has accepted you and your baby without a problem. You can feel safe in leaving your baby with Toby and he will protect him. Don't be afraid of him hurting your baby because as you just saw he is very gentle when handling them. I have to get back to my studies now so I'll be saying goodnight. Dad do we have to go shopping for any camping gear?" "Yes we do, we can do that tomorrow night after we put Wesley through his daily exercises. We need to find a place that sells dry ice also." "If you're going for a walk Angel wait for me and I'll go with you. I have to walk some of our dinner off also." Wesley said as he helped Fred to go back to their rooms and helped her to get settled in then went back downstairs. Spike and Gunn were ready to go with them also. "Why don't we go over to Forest Lawn and check it out for any new Vampires?" Angel said. Before he left he told Cordelia where they were going. They all piled into his car then and took off.

When they arrived at the cemetery Spike and Angel went to the right and Connor, Wesley, and Gunn went to the left. They agreed to meet at the other side by 9 and walk back down the middle together.

Angel and Spike walked in silence for awhile. Angel felt that Spike had something to ask. "Okay Spike I know you have something to ask me so speak up."

"Okay here goes, part of the penance that Fr. Barris gave me is to keep a diary that I have to list any laws of God or Church that I have broken that day. It doesn't matter if it is in action or in thought. At the end of each month I'm to turn it in to him to read. At the beginning of the diary I have to use my medical knowledge to write a description of what Christ went through when he was tortured and crucified. He said that it would help me to understand how badly He suffered for us before He died."

"So what is it exactly that you wanted to ask me?" Spike stopped walking and went over to a bench that was beside a new grave. "I think I hear someone stirring around in there." Spike said. Angel came over and listened. "Yeah I hear it also. But now I want you to stop hem hawing around and ask me your question before I have to punch your lights out for making me go crazy." Angel sat down on the bench one way and Spike sat the other way so that he wouldn't have to look at Angel as he asked his question.

"Angel I need you to relive that night and tell me what you felt as they tortured you and especially what the pain felt like when they nailed you to the cross. I can write down the medical techno babble but I can't say what it actually felt like."

"You're asking a lot Spike. Here I've been doing my best to forget it and now you want me to remember all of it." Angel rubbed his hands together as he thought about it for a few minutes. "I don't know if I can do it to your satisfaction but go ahead and ask me about specific things and I'll answer as best I can."

Spike asked his first question. "What was the first thing they did to you and how did it feel?" Angel looked down at the ground and tried to recall that terrible night.

"Unlike Christ I fought them all the way until they got me on the ground. Their must have been 10 of them on me. They tied my hands together with a long rope. I don't remember too much after that until we arrived in the desert by the race track because they must have hit me with something that felt like a hammer. Anyway when I came to they had me hanging from a tall gate post. My feet were just barely touching the ground. They were all drunk except one guy. He just stayed by this limo drinking blood from a tall glass. They left me hanging there for about 30 minutes then the guy by the limo called one of them over and gave him a couple of whips. When he turned around to get the whips I could see an assortment of them on the hood of the car. I didn't think anything of it at the time but I remember that he had gloves on and was holding a book. I think he was getting information from that book on what the Romans used to flog their prisoners or it may have been a Bible. I wasn't too scared about what they were going to do because I've had it done to me several times. These guys though, it felt like they were trying to play tic-tac-toe on my back. At least when I had humans beating me they would tire out after awhile but Vampires can go on for just about forever.

"You've never been whipped have you Spike." "No, as I recall Angelus would usually rescue us. The closest I ever came to being whipped was when Angelus told me to take the women someplace and we were jumped before I could get them to this run down barn. They didn't know what we were and they only had eyes on Darla and Drusilla as an easy piece. I was tied up to a tree outside of the barn but I could hear them raping Drusilla and Darla. Then when Angelus caught up with us he went crazy and showed his true form. By the time he got done he had killed all of them. I think he even ate one or two and I don't mean their blood. When he finally calmed down and returned to his usual form he came looking for me. He was so mad at me for putting the women in danger that he broke a branch off of a nearby bush and started hitting me with it. I came very close to losing my sight because he kept hitting me on my face. Fortunately Drusilla came out and threw herself between Angelus and me."

"I don't remember that part but I do remember that every time my body was being whipped he would let my consciousness take over so I was the one who felt the whippings and he would hide out inside." Angel stopped talking for a few minutes. Spike turned around also so that they were now both facing the new grave. They listened for the sounds of the new Vampire digging his way to the top. "I'll let you have this one Angel since I am putting you through so much." Spike stood up and took a step back while Angel helped the new Vampire to get out of his grave by pulling him up by the fancy jacket he was wearing.

"I'm here to help you my dear boy. I am a Master Vampire and I am going to teach you what you need to know to live in this new world of yours. First though you need to change your threads we kind of look down on anyone that dresses so nicely. I have some new threads for you over here. I'll go and get them while you take your clothes off. Angel walked over behind a bush as though he was getting some clothes for the new guy. He waited for the young Vampire to take everything off then he took aim and threw a spike right through the Vamps heart and he turned to dust."

"Why did you have him take his clothes off?" Spike asked. "No reason to waste the clothes. I'll just take them with me and put them in a clothes collection bin." Angel picked the clothes up and motioned to Spike to join him. "We better get going or we'll be late meeting up with the others. We can continue with our talk as we walk along." They continued walking through the cemetery as they talked.

"Where was I?" "You were saying how they had stopped whipping you." "Yeah now I remember. They stopped because the guy at the limo had called one of them over again. When he came back he had something a lot more nasty. Those Romans were mean bastards. One guy hit the post with the tip of the whip right by my head and when he pulled it back the tips of these special straps pulled out a chunk of wood." Angel stopped, Spike could see by the look on his face that he was remembering how it felt. Angel fell to his knees. Spike got to his knees next to Angel and put his arm around him.

"It hurt so bad when they hit me with the first one. I felt it dig into my flesh and tear a chunk out of me. For the first time I screamed. As they hit me over and over again I could feel the chunks of flesh being torn from my back. The pain was the worst that I have ever felt. Occasionally they would step closer to me so that the whip would wrap the tip around so that it tore at my chest also. One of them wrapped around my chest and the tip of the whip dug into a section where it had already pulled the flesh off and it hit my bottom rib. He pulled at it hard and when I screamed in pain he pulled even harder on it and even though my back was toward him he pulled so hard that I turned around." Angel stopped for a moment before he could continue. As he relived the whipping he started to perspire so heavily that the sweat started to come out blood red. Angel grabbed at his chest and rubbed it where he remembered the whips hitting him.

"When the guy saw what the tip of the whip was caught on he came over and just pulled it off as though it was a mere annoyance to him that he had to come and pull it off. I could feel my blood pouring out of me and I was getting more and more weak as the minutes passed. When everyone saw me on the cross Spike a lot of the worst damage had healed but that was the last of the fast healing. They continued with that whip until they got tired and bored with seeing the same pattern to the damage. I finally passed out from the pain Spike and the last thing I remember at that time was calling out to God to help me." Angel fell forward into Spikes arms and cried so hard that he started coughing and finally vomited his dinner. Spike gave him his handkerchief that Buffy always gave him to carry in his pocket. All he could do was hold onto Angel and rock him as he cried. Spike realized then that this was the first time that Angel had really thought about what he went through. They had reached the other side of the cemetery when Angel had collapsed and without Angel and Spikes knowledge Gunn, Wesley, and Connor had just been approaching from the other side. They heard Angel and saw him collapse into Spikes arms and start crying. They all looked at each other and by unspoken mutual consent they waited for Angel to get control of himself and stand up before they approached them. They acted like they had just arrived.

Angel turned away from them and wiped his face and blew his nose. Spike saw them looking at Angel so he came up with an excuse for him. "This becoming human is getting tough on my old Sire. We came across some fresh flowers and he started sneezing like crazy." Angel turned back to them and said "let's go men. I think I need to get out of here." The others acted like nothing was wrong and started telling Spike and Angel about a group of Vampires they had dusted after a brief fight.

"Yeah we came across one that we could hear clawing his way up. You should have seen him. Angel introduced himself as a Master Vampire that was there to teach him how to be a Vampire. He told him that his clothes were too fancy and to take them all off and he'd give him some clothes he had brought along with him. The guy actually believed him and took every thing off and that's when Angel threw a spike and dusted him."

"Can I see the clothes Dad?" Angel pulled them out from under his arm and gave them to Connor. They stopped for a minute while Connor looked the clothes over. "Hay guys I think this will fit me." Connor put the jacket on. Unfortunately the arms were too long for him. "Oh well I guess someone that really needs it will be a happy camper when he sees these." Connor took it off and they continued back to the car. Angel didn't say anything on the walk back and no one pushed him. They were all surprised when he turned into the Dairy Queen that was down the street from the Hotel.

"Common men let's close the evening with some ice cream like they do in Sunnydale after patrolling." They all jumped out of the car, ordered their ice cream and sat around enjoying it.

"Why do they always end up a patrol in Sunnydale with an ice cream cone?" Connor asked no one in particular. "When I was in Sunnydale helping Spike we went to get ice cream almost every night."

"Buffy told me it was because she had come to Sunnydale at the beginning of the school year which meant it was still hot then. She said that stopping for ice cream seemed to be the logical thing to do. After a while it just became a tradition. That was the first solid food I had consumed since I was turned. The only time they don't have ice cream is during the nights when it's too cold." Angel told everyone.

"Well I'm done with my ice cream so I think I'll walk the rest of the way home." Angel threw the car keys to Connor and started walking. Without asking Wesley joined him. Angel stopped and looked at Wesley. Wesley just stared back at him. "I would rather be alone for awhile Wesley." "No Angel, those days are over. You need someone to talk to about what you went through back then. We've been through too much together Angel. You have your family to walk with you now. If you fall I'll be there to help you get up again and I know that you'll do the same for me if I should need another man to walk beside me." After thinking about what he said Angel turned then and continued walking back to the Hotel.

"You heard what I was going through?" "Yes, we were just approaching the meeting point when we heard you and Spike. Why were you reliving what happened?" Angel proceeded to tell him why. "I guess I had been repressing the memory of that night and when Spike asked me to relive it so that I could tell him what the physical feeling of each thing that was done to me was it all came flooding in on me just as though it was happening again." Angel stopped and sat on a cement block fence that was only about 2 feet high. Wesley sat next to him.

"You know Wesley the wounds that everyone saw was only half of them. I guess those bastards thought it was pretty funny to tape the chunks of flesh back into position and watch it heal. The closest I can come to describing what it felt like is when I am cleaning a large fish and having to clean the scales off and cut out the fins or large bones. I haven't been able to cook fish since then and now I know why." "Come on Angel we had better go before our wives start getting nervous and wondering where we are. Let's see how well I can run. I'll race you back to the hotel." "Your on, I'll even give you a three minute head start." Angel watched his watch as Wesley took off across the street and continued running as fast as he could. After three minutes Angel took off. By the time he caught up to Wesley he noticed how hard he was breathing. He thought to himself (now I have to start jogging more, come on Angelus give me what I need). Wesley was turning the corner of the Hotel and heading towards the back before Angel was able to catch up. They stopped and sat down by the table in the back. Both Angel and Wesley were breathing hard. When Wesley finally got his breath back he stood up.

"Well I'm going to bed I think we did a pretty good job of taking care of that big dinner and the ice cream. Goodnight Angel, don't sit out here thinking too much. You'll give yourself a headache." Angel stood up and followed Wesley in after just a few minutes. When he opened the door Toby came running out and took care of his business right away then went back in. Angel locked down the Hotel then went upstairs.

Toby followed him upstairs and into his bedroom. He went to Kathleen and licked her face. She was already sleeping and her head was close to the bars. Toby left then and ran upstairs and scratched at the door of the Sanchez's. Joaquin opened the door and was surprised to see Toby. Without waiting to be invited in he walked over to the crib and checked on Junior. After he sniffed at him he apparently felt that he was okay and left. Joaquin and Connie looked at each other and laughed. Toby's next stop was Buffy and Spikes room. He scratched at the door and Spike opened it. Once again Toby went in and checked on Joyce who was getting her evening meal while her Mother sat in a rocker. He sniffed at Joyce's head and gave it a lick. Then he went back to Connor. All of his charges were safe and either sleeping or would soon be asleep. Connor had a test tomorrow so he was still up studying. He noticed Toby coming back in and curling up in his bed. Connor looked into Toby's mind and saw where he had been. Connor checked on the house also by listening for any unusual sounds. "Everything seems to be okay Toby and I think it's time for me to call it a day also. This school stuff is hard and my brain feels like it's burnt to a crisp. Good night Toby." Connor took his clothes off and folded them neatly over a chair then jumped into bed. His mind was so tired that he went right to sleep.

The next day Angel was hungry but he felt that he could only stomach a glass of blood. He was still down from last night and he couldn't stop thinking about it. When everyone came downstairs for breakfast they could sense his mood and didn't try to drag him into the conversations. He busied himself with feeding his daughter. Cordelia knew that something was wrong but she didn't push him to tell her. Kathleen was picking up on her Daddy's mood though and in her own little way she was concerned. When Angel was done feeding his daughter he pulled her out of the highchair and was going to put her into the playpen. Kathleen put her tiny hands on either side of his face. "Why Daddy sad?" "Daddy has a lot on his mind baby, now do you want to go and play or do you want your Mommy." Kathleen turned towards Cordelia and reached out for her.

Before leaving the table Angel turned to Hunter. "Hunter would you let Spike borrow your ring for the next three days so he can go camping with us?" Hunter looked at Mike next to her. "Only if you take Mike camping with you he needs to get out and away for awhile. You can get another Doctor to cover for you. I think Doug owes you a weekend doesn't he?" "I'm so honored that you have decided to ask me about something. Why do you want to get rid of me?" "I don't want to get rid of you dear I just want to have some time with the girls. Cordelia tells me we are going to have what they call a pajama party that is just for the girls. She says they do things like watch girl movies, and put mud on their faces, and eat popcorn and fix each others hair up. I have often heard of this ritual but I have never taken part in one so I won't have time for you because this is strictly for the girls."

"Well what about Giles and Joaquin here. Their wives aren't kicking them out." Mike asked with a grin on his face.

"From what I understand Connie and Joaquin are going to be going to get the rest of their stuff and move them upstairs. Connie is going to play with us Saturday night and Joaquin promised to help Lorne out tomorrow night so he'll be out. Giles is going to Sunnydale to check on the store and he won't be back until Monday."

"Well if the guys don't mind having a Greenhorn along I guess I'll be joining you guys for the weekend." Hunter took her ring off and gave it to Spike. "Be careful you don't get sunburned Spike."

"Thanks Hunter I'll take good care of it." Spike said as he put it on his index finger.

"Mom, Spike and Wesley I want you to go someplace with me at 4 o'clock tonight. We'll be gone for anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Spike we'll continue with what we were talking about last night. Wesley already knows what I am talking about and I would appreciate it if you would tell Mom. Cordelia I am going to be up in 412 for the rest of the day working on our portrait and I would appreciate it if I wasn't disturbed." Angel gave Cordelia and his daughter a kiss then went upstairs. When he was half way up the stairs he turned.

"Oh and Cordelia I don't want you going into room 412 at all until I am ready for you to see it and I am going to put a spell on the doors and windows so that I'll know if you do. I'll take care of the cleaning so it won't be necessary for anyone to go in their. I think that I've now covered everything that you may have up your sleeve." Angel then called Connie, Joaquin and Lucinda out to the dinning room. He talked to them in Spanish so Cordelia wouldn't know what he said. As soon as Angel turned to go upstairs the rest of the way Cordelia called to Connie. "What did he say Connie?" "I'm sorry Mrs. Martin but he told us not to tell you."

"That man knows me to well. This is going to take some thinking." Cordelia started to pick up the dishes and was so deep in thought that she forgot that Connie and her husband were here to clean up the table.

"Mrs. Martin." Cordelia looked up at Connie. "Oh I forgot." Cordelia gave her the dishes then turned around and picked up Kathleen and went outside to the patio.

"I could practically see her brain cells cranking up. Angel has presented her with a challenge and I would wager that she has at least 3 weeks to come up with something before he will have painted enough to make it worth her wile." Dr. Martin said as she watched Cordelia walk out of the door.

"Did I hear you correctly you said that you are willing to make a bet on it as to who will win?" Gunn asked. "You heard me correctly." "Okay then I'm willing to bet $50 on Angel that he will be able to keep her from seeing the portrait until he is ready."

"You're on. Any one else want to lose?" Dr. Martin pulled out her little black book and started to write down names. "My money is on Angel." Wesley said. Buffy bet on Angel, Spike bet on Cordelia. Giles bet on Cordelia. To everyone's surprise Willow bet on Angel and Tara bet on Cordelia. Hunter bet on Angel and Mike bet on Cordelia.

"If Connor bets on Angel then it will be even because I am pretty sure that Fred will bet on Cordelia." Dr. Martin said as she finished writing the names down. "Let me know if I'm correct when you tell Fred Wesley."

"I guess I better get going and call Doug. And what are you going to be doing the rest of the day my dear?" Mike asked Hunter. "Mary and I have some work to do so I'll be busy with her." Mike bent down and gave Hunter a kiss then left.

Everyone else started to get up and go to whatever they were going to be doing that day. "Spike would you join me in Angels office." Dr. Martin asked him. They both went in and Spike closed the door. Dr. Martin had a seat on the couch and Spike sat next to her.

"So what is this all about Spike?" Spike proceeded to tell her all about the penance he had received from Fr. Barris and what had happened to Angel last night when Spike asked him about what he went through on the night he was crucified.

Dr. Martin didn't say anything for awhile as she thought about what Spike had told her. "This is good for him Spike. I know that he has been having flashbacks when he sees something that reminds him about that night just like it did when you guys went out to the race track. No one goes through anything like Angel did Spike and not have residual memories that affect them for the rest of their life. At least now he'll be able to take out those memories and look at them in the light of day so to speak. Thanks for telling me Spike." They left then to perform their individual tasks for the day.

Later in the afternoon Angel finally came down stairs by way of the elevator. He went into the kitchen where he saw Connie sitting at the kitchen table and nursing her son. As soon as she saw Angel she covered herself with a blanket. "I'm sorry Mr. Martin I didn't think anyone was down here." "That's alright Connie my wife and Buffy do it all of the time. It's like my mother said when she first showed Cordelia how to nurse our new daughter. She said "See Angel this is what they are really meant for and not as your toys." Connie laughed at Angel telling her something so personnel. Angel continued to make his glass of blood in the mug that Cordelia had bought for him to use while Mr. and Mrs. Price were here. I don't know if Cordelia told you or not but my mother, Spike, Wesley and I will not be here for Supper. We have someplace to go tonight and probably won't be home until late." "Thank you for telling me, Mrs. Martin has been busy and forgot to tell me I guess." Angel went to the Lobby and waited for the rest to come down.

Five minutes later Spike, Dr. Martin and Wesley came downstairs. "We're going to take Cordelia's Sienna." He didn't say anything else he just walked outside to the van. Wesley sat up front with Angel, Spike and Dr. Martin sat in the second row. It took them almost 3 hours to get out to San Bernardino where the race track was. They had hit the freeways during the rush hour plus it was a Friday when everyone was either heading for Vegas or going camping.

When they arrived it was 7:30 P.M. and the desert was getting cold. Dr. Martin and Wesley were glad they had brought their coats. Instead of going to the Race Track Angel took a dirt road that looked like it was well traveled and well maintained. They traveled on the road for 4 or 5 miles and finally came to a stop by a large gate.

"This is it. This is where they tied me to a post." Angel opened his door and got out. He went to the back of the van and pulled out a long rope. He walked over to the large gate post that the gate was hung from. Spike, Wesley and Dr. Martin exited the van and followed Angel to the gate post.

Angel was looking at the post carefully he pointed to the top where you could see that the very top of the post was starting to break up from the dry winds that flowed through the desert almost every day. Angel threw one end of the rope over the top of the post and it caught on the broken parts of the post. Angel took his jacket and T-shirt off and threw them to the side. He grabbed the ends of the rope and stepped close to the post. "Look Spike you can still smell my blood on the post." Spike came over and smelled the post where the wood was darker then the surrounding area. He took his pocket knife out and dug at the wood and smelled it. "Yes I can smell it. It's very faint now but it's still there."

Angel closed his eyes. Dr. Martin could see that he was traveling back to that night. After a few minutes he looked up and slowly began telling them of what he went through the night he was tortured and crucified.

"They started with just a regular whip. Two Vamps were doing it so that they could get the maximum amount of damage as fast as possible. The tips of the whips sliced into my skin. It felt like they had razor blades attached to the tips and they were repeatedly slicing my skin with the razors. I counted 50 times before they stopped. It didn't bother me too much because I had, had it done to me many times when Angelus was in control. Before they would start in with the whips Angelus would release my consciousness and he would back off so that I would be the one to feel the pain instead of him. You know Spike I think he let himself get caught just so he could watch me suffer. I remember being tied up and my arms stretched so I couldn't move them then the men starting in with the whips. He must have had a good laugh over that." Angel was quiet for awhile then he continued.

"The next whips they used had sharp metal blades at the ends and going sideways. When they started in with those I would have left Los Angeles right then and there if they had given me the chance." He closed his eyes again and was remembering so clearly that his body jerked repeatedly as he went through the past torture in his mind. As he had done last night he started to sweat profusely. It made his body look like it was bleeding because the sweat was coming out blood red.

Angel was breathing fast as he continued to tell Spike what he went through and what it felt like. Angel threw his head back and screamed "God help me they are tearing pieces of me off one inch at a time. I can feel my flesh hanging down. Please God help me I can't stand anymore. Make them stop, make them stop." They could see tears falling down his face, but it wasn't crying tears they were tears that were forced out of him because of the intense pain that he was remembering. Angel let go of the ropes then and he was back in the present. He had put so much of his mind into remembering that he didn't have the strength to continue standing. He fell to his knees and leaned against the post. They waited while his breathing returned to normal and he was able to continue.

"I guess God took pity on me then and I lost consciousness. When I came to again I could feel the pieces of flesh back in their original position. Apparently they had taped the pieces of flesh back and Angelus obligingly healed them fast but he was very selective with his healing and only healed the ones that were letting me bleed to fast. They must have given me some blood because I was starting to feel stronger and that is exactly what they wanted. Their fun time wasn't over yet."

As Angel started to feel better he stood up with Spikes help. He opened the gate and walked in. The rest followed.

"Before I could stand up again they cut the ropes off of the post and tied me to the back of their truck. They made the rope long so that when they made their turns I would roll over and over. As the truck started I was able to run fast enough but then the driver stepped on the gas and I couldn't keep up any longer and fell. They dragged me around this dried lake bed several times. By the time they stopped they had to lift me up because I was too weak to stand on my own. My pants were in shreds because of the gravel, brush, and cactus that they dragged me through. All I had left was what you saw.

"The head Vampire that was running the show told me to get out of town or else they would take further measures. He said he was going back to town then and told the one he left in charge to nail the message home. For the life of me I couldn't understand what he meant by that until they took me back to the warehouse where we had fought them. When I saw them bringing the wood over to the truck and join them together on the top half of one of them I knew with crystal clarity what they intended to do to me. I had seen too many crosses not to know. I was more afraid then I have ever been since I was turned Spike. I remembered how Christ had gone to the Garden of Gethsemane and asked our Father to let the cup pass him by if it was at all possible. I knew at that moment why he shed blood as he prayed. If I had known ahead of time what was going to happen to me I don't think that I would have had the courage to stay and go through it.

"When they forced me to lie down on the center beam I tried fighting but I was too weak. I decided to let them do as they wanted without fighting because I would need what strength I had left just to survive and get back home to Cordelia. Through the whole ordeal I kept her face in my mind just as she thought of putting Kathleen into my arms during all of her labor."

Once again Angel closed his eyes and he took his mind back to when he was being nailed to the cross. "They held my hand open and put the point of the spike to my hand. With the first blow they pushed the spike through to the wood. A pain shot up from my hand like a bolt of electricity. It hit my elbow and felt like they had hit it with a sledge hammer. The pain quickly traveled up to my shoulder. I tried moving my fingers after they were done but they had nailed the spike so far in through my hand and into the wood that I couldn't move them at all. As they pound in the spike I kept Cordelia's face in my mind and I remembered the last time I had made love to her. They moved to my right arm and did the same but this time the bolt of electricity went up my arm, to my spine and jumped over to my other shoulder. The back of my head pounded on the wood beam involuntarily. When they started in on my feet though I could no longer hang on the pain was more than I could bear. When they pounded on the spike and it went through the first foot then to the next I think I screamed until I passed out from the pain.

"I don't know how long I was unconscious but the first time I woke up I remember seeing the floor in the Lobby. I woke up coughing up blood because I was trying to take a breath. That's when I felt the hole in my side that extended into my lung. I don't know why but when I looked down at my side I saw water and blood coming out. In order to take a breath I had to try to push on my feet to release the pressure on my lungs and take in the one breath. I was glad then that I rarely needed to breathe. Before I lost consciousness again I called out to Cordelia through the link we share. I was able to do it just one time then I passed out again."

Angel was quiet for awhile and no one moved or said anything. He lay down in the dirt then rolled over and started crying. In order to give Spike what he needed he had relived each moment of that night. Each fragment of pain was felt again. Each scream that came from his throat was screamed again. Each moment of despair was felt again.

Wesley turned away it hurt too much to watch Angel's naked display of emotion.

Dr. Martin walked over to him and got on her knees. She reached for him and pulled him into her arms. She rocked him back and forth as he gave into the remembrance of the pain and anguish of that night. As she rocked him back and forth she continually ran her hand through his hair and said "It's over now, it's over. You can rest now with the knowledge that you have done all that God has asked of you and he has rewarded you with your family. In a few years you will be given two baby boys and your family will be complete. As Dr. Martin continued to rock him his crying slowed down until he was able to sit up. She gave him her handkerchief that she always carried in her deep pockets. When he had blown his nose and wiped his tears away he looked up at her.

"I now know and understand why you tell me that Christ has suffered so much for us that we owe Him our love and respect. I survived my torture and crucifixion because I am a Vampire but He suffered and died as a man suffers. Give me your hand Mama." Dr. Martin gave her left hand to Angel. He took it and put it on his bare chest and put his hand over hers.

"Do you feel it Mama. Do you feel the small flame that is giving off warmth inside of me? It's a microscopic flame of love and respect for Christ that I now have growing inside of me. All that you and Fr. Barris have been trying to teach me has finally taken hold and I feel like I did when I made my confession. Cordelia asked me how I was feeling when I woke up from my short nap before going downstairs to receive my blessing. I told her that I felt like the weight of the world had been taken off of my shoulders and I was light hearted for the first time since I had been turned. That's how I feel now Mama." He rose to his knees raised his mothers hand to his lips then and kissed it. Dr. Martin rose to her knees and threw her arms around Angel hugged him and cried tears of joy.

Angel then stood up and helped his mother to stand up. He turned to Spike then. "Spike I hope and pray that you won't have to go through anything like I did. I hope and pray that you will be able to learn from what I went through. That is why I went through this so that you could learn from my experience. We are going to get you into heaven Spike even if we have to hog tie you and drag you their. Angel hugged him then and gave him a kiss on his forehead. He turned to Wesley then and put his arm around his shoulder. Let's go home my brother in arms. We have to get ready to go camping tomorrow and I promise to show you something that will knock your socks off."

Angel went back to the post and picked up his T-shirt and jacket. He shook the dirt off of them and put them on. They all got back into the van and Angel headed back to Los Angeles. By the time they returned to the Hotel it was after midnight. They were all starving and went right to the kitchen. They all started pulling out left over food and Angel started warming up two mugs of blood for himself and Spike. Dr. Martin filled a bowl with rice, pinto beans and a little red chili. She went over to the microwave and put her bowl in with a paper towel over it and started it. "Thank you God for microwaves." "Yeah microwaves." Everyone else said. Connie had left a tray of taco fixings in the refrigerator so Wesley pulled this out and Spike pulled the hamburger out and warmed it up. Wesley found Taco shells in a bowl with a towel over it so he put these on a plate and put them in the second microwave. They all sat around the kitchen table and dug in.

When they were done Dr. Martin put the dishes in the dish washer and what was left of the food back into the refrigerator. Angel and Wesley had already left to go to bed. Spike had stayed behind to help Dr. Martin. When she was done putting the dishes in the dishwasher she turned to Spike. "Do you think you have all that you need to put into your diary?" Spike turned from what he was doing and looked up at her. "No, I have what it felt like but I still need to write the medical description." "I can give you that. I can't remember the date that it was written but a number of years ago a group of Doctors got together and wrote down the medical explanation of Christ's torture. They published them in the AMA Medical Journal magazine. When the Journal was shown to the Pope they said he cried. He said "We never knew, we never truly understood what He went through but now we do. Thank you." "I have that Journal Spike but I have to look for it, it may be in a storage unit that I have in the east. One way or the other Spike I will have it for you next week."

Dr. Martin came closer to him. She put her hand on his shoulder. "Spike, do you want to come to know and love Christ and join him in paradise?" Spike leaned forward and put his head against her shoulder. "Because Buffy will be there, yes I do want to go to heaven. I am thankful to Him that He has given me Buffy and now my daughter. After seeing what Angel went through and knowing what he has gone through since he got his soul back ……….. I don't know……….. if I have the courage to go through what he does." Dr. Martin put her arms around Spike. "You don't have to go through it alone Spike. For as long as I can I will help you to walk the road to paradise. Most likely though you won't be going through the exact same thing as Angel. God always designs his teaching lessons to suit the student. Lets go to bed now it's late and you and Angel have shopping to do to get ready for your camping trip." She pulled his head down and gave him a kiss on his forehead and traced the sign of the cross on his forehead and gave him her blessing." They turned the lights off then and walked upstairs together and went to their separate rooms.

The next morning Angel was still sleeping when Cordelia woke up. He had come in too late last night for them to talk about what they had done so she was hoping that they could talk this morning. She went into the bathroom and took her shower since he was still sleeping. When she came out he was still sleeping. It was 1:30 when he came in and he had taken a shower before he came to bed so it was 2 o'clock before he was able to go to sleep. It was 9 o'clock now so she decided to let him sleep. Kathleen was awake now so she went to her and picked her up. "Let's go downstairs and change you in the clinic so we don't wake your Daddy up." "Daddy sleeping?" "Yes because he didn't come home until late last night so lets be very quiet." Cordelia held her finger to her lips and said "ssssshhhhhh." Kathleen imitated her and didn't make a sound as her mother gathered her clothes and clean diaper. Cordelia then tip toed her way out of the room.

Everyone else except Dr. Martin, Wesley, Fred and Spike were going downstairs also. Buffy was just tip toeing out of her own room at the same time as Cordelia. Cordelia waited until Buffy caught up with her. "Spike taking care of Joyce this morning?" Cordelia asked. "Well kind of. I fed her already and changed her so she's sleeping again. I thought I would take this quiet time to have a peaceful breakfast. They sure came home late last night. I get the feeling though that I shouldn't ask him what happened. Spike was talking a lot in his sleep last night but I couldn't make out anything."

"Yeah, I think whatever it was, was emotionally draining because Angel has been sleeping like a log. Even though I'm curious also I thought I would let him sleep." The girls made their way downstairs and Buffy followed Cordelia into the clinic so they could continue to talk. Kathleen was such a happy baby that she was giggling all of the time as her mother changed her and then dressed her. "I can see why you had to leave your bedroom just to change and dress her. I hope Joyce is like that also." "Does it make you miss your mother more Buffy, you know, calling your daughter Joyce?"

"I thought about it long and hard before I decided to call her Joyce. I even asked Dawn if she thought it was okay and she said she thought it would be honoring our mother to name our little girl after her. You know Cordelia I don't know if it's my imagination or not but I could swear that my mother is standing by me when I have to do something that I'm not quite sure about. I swear that I can feel her standing by me and telling me how to take care of something or tell me not to worry because it's normal. During the first few days after Joyce was born I worried about going home and not having Dr. Martin or you there to show me how to take care of Joyce but now that I feel my Mother by me I know that I'll be okay."

"I'm happy for you Buffy. I was so thankful for Mom being there for me. I know that my own mother would never have been there for me. Let's go eat now I'm starving. Between Angel and Kathleen now they are making me produce a lot of milk and that means I'm using up all of the calories I consume." "Really, I'm so glad to hear that. I was worried about getting the weight off. I better start putting more salt in Spikes food." They went to the dinning room laughing.

Breakfast was nice and quiet. Fred had called Connie and asked her to bring some breakfast up for her and Wesley. Connor had been out late last night also with his girlfriend and Gunn had been up early so that he could check on his kids.

Dr. Martin was the first one to come downstairs. "Good morning ladies. How is everyone doing this lovely morning? And just in case you were going to try and drill me to try to find out what we did last night don't bother. If Spike or Angel wants to let you know they will tell you." She filled up her plate with some scrambled eggs, sausages and toast then came to their end of the table and sat down and poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Where is Giles?" Buffy asked. "Oh he got up early and went to talk to a Mr. Winston about this shop he would like to buy for his store. I didn't see him but he left me a note on his pillow. I suppose the others are all still sleeping?" "Yes you supposed right." Cordelia said.

"Well you girls are going to have to play without me. I have to go to the hospital today. They called me about an hour ago and said they needed my help. Apparently there was a big accident on the freeway early this morning and they need help in surgery. I need a ride to the hospital Cordelia because Giles has my car. His is in the shop as usual. I have to get that man to get a decent new car." "Sure Mom that's no problem. I'll be ready as soon as I can take Kathleen up to her Daddy. It's about time for him to get up anyway. Are you coming Buffy?" "Yeah I would like to get out for awhile. Joyce should sleep for the next 4 hours at least. Besides I need to get some supplies. Willow and Tara were out late also and are sleeping in. I'll leave a note for them to check on Spike and Joyce for me and let them know where we are."

By 11 o'clock Angel, Connor, Spike, Wesley and Gunn were loading up Gunn's truck and Wesley's SUV with all of the camping equipment and supplies Gunn had purchased yesterday. The last thing they loaded up was the ice chests that were full of beer, cokes and bottles of blood for Angel and Spike. Connor had his knife that he had brought with him from Quor Toth and supplies for Toby. They all had bought new fishing gear earlier in the week so they could bring some trout home. Wesley had bought several cans of OFF mosquito spray just in case they needed it although Angel had said that there wouldn't be any because it was too cold up in the mountains at this time of the year. Angel had bought a large tent for them all to sleep in so Gunn's truck was fully loaded with all of the camping and fishing gear and Wesley's SUV had all of the clothes and blankets. Wesley had never been camping before so he looked like kind of a greenhorn from Boston. Connie had given them three days worth of food to cook and even had made up some burritos for them to eat along the way.

Fred had come down to say goodbye with the rest of the women. Since Hunter didn't have her ring now she had to stay at the back of the patio to say goodbye to Mike who had arrived just in time. "Be careful Mike they can play ruff sometimes." He gave her one last kiss then got in the SUV with Wesley and Angel. The Sanchez family was outside to say goodbye also. "Take care of them Joaquin." Angel said as he got in the front seat with Wesley. "Si Senior Martin, I will take care of them as though they are my own family." Gunn took off then and Wesley followed him. Connor as usual was riding with Gunn along with Toby who sat on the seat between them. It took them about 8 hours to get where Angel wanted to go. The sun was almost down when they finally arrived. They quickly set up camp and started a fire. Angel, Connor and Spike had to do most of the work of setting up the camp since Gunn, Wesley, and Mike had never been camping before. Angel started cooking Supper as soon as they could get the fire going real good. When it was ready they were all starving. Angel was the only one not eating except for his blood.

"Aren't you hungry Dad?" Connor asked. "Yes but I thought I would get something later. Toby and I are going to go shopping. Do you want to come along?" "What do you mean you're going shopping? There aren't any stores around here." Gunn said.

"That's not the type of shopping he's talking about Gunn. He's going shopping in nature's store." Spike said. "Don't you know that God has provided everything you need to survive if you only know how to look for it." "Do you want to come with us Spike? I know you know how because I remember Angelus teaching you." "No thanks I haven't done that in a long time and I only did it back then when I absolutely had to. It hurts too much. Besides it dries my skin out."

Gunn, Connor, Mike and Wesley were looking at each other and shrugging their shoulders. They had absolutely no idea what Spike and Angel were talking about.

"Don't eat too much Connor I want to go as soon as you feel you can go and do some physically demanding work." Angel said as he finished his drink and leaned back on the tree he was sitting by. "Well we had better go now then before I eat any more." Connor put his plate by the fire and covered it with another plate. "Don't throw it away guys. I'll finish it when I get back from doing whatever Dad wants to do."

Angel stood up then and started emptying his pockets and putting them in the tent. "Leave everything behind Connor that you don't want to loose including your knife and take off Toby's choke chain." Connor just did as his Dad said without question. When he was done Angel started off in the direction of the mountain. Toby followed and stayed close to Connor. This was new to him also. When they walked far enough away Angel stopped and turned to Connor.

"I am going to show you something Connor and then we are going to see if you can do the same thing." Angel removed all of his clothing including his shoes and socks and rolled them up and put them in a back pack that he had brought with him. He closed his eyes and concentrated. It had been over a century since he had last done this so it took him longer than usual. Connor watched him in fascination as he saw his fathers body start to change shape and grow hair all over. Angel went down to his knees as his legs and arms started to shorten. His fingers changed so that they were shorter and his hands turned into paws. He could hear Angel moaning with the pain of the change that he was initiating. The last thing to change on Angel was his spine that grew longer and became his tail. Toby stood close to Connor. He couldn't understand what was happening to the man that he saw as the leader of his pack.

When Angel was done changing into a wolf he checked himself out and took a few steps to see if everything worked right. When he was satisfied that everything was correct he ran around in circles around Connor then went up to Toby and stood over him. Toby immediately crouched down and rolled over on his back while trying to lick Angels face. Angel nosed him then invited him to play. Connor's mouth was still hanging open as he watched the two animals playing. Angel finally came back to Connor and stood in front of him. Once again Angel turned back into a man again. He laid down on his back for awhile then sat up. He saw the look on Connors face.

"We are here Connor to see if you can become a wolf. Since your mother was a Vampire also I am guessing that you can, but we won't know until you try. Do you want to try it?" Connor just continued to stare at his father. "Why haven't you told me about this before?" "I didn't think you would ever need to do this but then as I thought about it I realized that if you can change into a wolf you might do it accidentally while you are in public. So this was the first opportunity we've had to get away like this. It won't be long before Fred gives birth and Wesley will be glued to the Hotel for awhile. When you told me their was no school for you on Monday I decided that it was the perfect time to see if you can change into a wolf. Do you want to try?" In answer Connor started to take his clothes off and rolled them up and put them into the back pack along with his fathers. "So what do we do?"

Angel proceeded to show him again how he changed. He didn't let his head change until the last so that he could continue to talk. When he finished he checked himself out again and then changed back. "You ready?" Connor took a deep breath and tried to mentally prepare himself. "Don't be afraid when you start to experience pain Connor because it does hurt. When you do it for the first time you will hurt more than usual." Angel than took him through the process one section at a time. When he was done Angel walked around Connor and checked every square inch of him. When he decided that Connor had been successful in changing completely he told him to change back to his human form. Connor did as his father said.

Connor stood up when he was done and grew a big grin on his face that went from ear to ear. "That was cool." He said as he checked himself out.

"Are you experiencing any pain when you change?" Angel asked. "Yeah but nothing I can't handle. Can we go hunting now?" "Okay but I want you to watch me, and do what I tell you." "I thought you couldn't talk when you're a wolf." "We can't but you'll understand me. Let's change now." Both Angel and Connor changed again. Angel checked every inch of Connor again and gave his approval by standing over him. Connor instinctively did as Toby had done and Toby came over and did the same to both Connor and Angel. Angel then licked both of their faces then and started off at a trot. He led them up the mountain and to a ledge that gave them a view of the valley below. He saw what he was looking for and turned around and started running down the side of the mountain and headed for the meadow where he had seen his chosen quarry. Connor and Toby followed him without question because Angel was seen as the alpha male of their little pack.

As they approached the meadow Angel slowed down and positioned himself so that his chest was flat against the ground. Connor saw him and did the same. He didn't see the male deer at first but when he sniffed the air he could smell him which told him the direction that he was in. Toby did the same and positioned himself next to Angel.

Angel looked at Connor and told him to go to the left. He told Toby to chase the deer. When Toby took off the deer looked up from his grazing and started running across the meadow. Angel ran until he was in front of the deer. Connor was making sure that the deer didn't run to the left and get away. As the deer approached Angel he jumped up in front of the deer and grabbed him by the throat. Angel was a large wolf and the deer was only half as big as a full grown deer. Toby and Connor came up to join in and hold the deer down. Angel held onto the deer's throat until he stopped breathing. He could hear the heart still beating though so he quickly bit into the jugular and drank the blood as the heart continued to pump. A minute later though the heart stopped and the blood flow slowed way down then stopped completely. Instinctively Connor and Toby knew to stand back until they were given permission to eat. When Angel had drunk all of the blood in the body he stood up and started to clean himself. That was Toby and Connors signal that they could take what they wanted.

Angel let Connor eat for a short time then stopped him by pushing him away from the meat. He told Connor to pick up one end of the deer and he took the other. They headed back then to the camp.

While Connor, Angel and Toby had been gone Mike, Wesley and Gunn had started playing cards while Spike worked on his diary. Spike of course was the first one to hear the animals approaching. He stood up and put his diary down on the fold up table they were using to play cards. Mike, Wesley and Gunn looked at Spike then at the direction he was looking. When two wolves approached the camp fire Mike reached for a gun that he had in his back pack. Spike quickly took it from him.

"Don't do anything I think I know who they are." Angel trotted up to Spike and went to his side and nosed his hand. Spike put his hand on the big wolf's head and scratched him behind his ear. "Are we having fun teasing the humans?" The big wolf gave a wolf bark and Wesley could have sworn he saw the wolf grin. Toby came up to sit beside Connor. Angel then walked slowly over to Wesley and stood in front of him. He slowly touched his hand with his nose. Wesley stared at the large wolf but he couldn't make himself move. Angel stood up on his hind legs and put his paws on Wesley's shoulders. That is when recognition dawned on Wesley. "Angel?" Wesley said as he braced himself against Angel's weight. Angel licked Wesley's face as though to say yes I'm Angel.

Angel backed off then and went to Gunn and Mike in turn. He did the same to them as he had to Wesley. Connor gave a wolf laugh and rolled on the ground while Toby jumped on him and they played. Angel joined them and then stopped and looked at Spike. He looked at Spike as though he was inviting him. Spike had never been one to pass up a chance to have fun. In front of the other men he started to take his clothes off and threw them in the tent. He changed then and joined the others. Before they left though Spike went to one of Gunn's truck tires and raised his leg. Angel christened another tire, Connor and Toby did the others. They heard Gunn as he finally gathered his wits about him and yelled at them. "I'm going to get you for this. Just wait until we get home and I take care of your cars. Hey, how come you only did mine and not Wesley's?"

Angel, Connor, Spike and Toby didn't come back until 2 in the morning. When Angel went to look for his back pack with the clothes he couldn't find it. He sniffed the ground and recognized Gunn's and Wesley's tracks. He followed them back to the camp. Once there Angel, Connor and Spike changed back to their human forms.

On the outside of the tent was a piece of paper by a bar of soap, shampoo and a bottle of lemon Joy dish soap along with towels.

Spike went to the fire and picked up a piece of wood that was burning on one end. He brought it over to the tent so they could read the note.

"Dear Angel, Connor, and Spike"

If you want your clothes back and you want to sleep in a nice warm sleeping bag you will have to take a bath first. We don't want any fleas in here. We found what was left of the deer and took care of it. The soap is for the men and the Joy dish soap is for Toby. You better hurry up because it is supposed to freeze tonight and we might have snow in the morning.

Goodnight.

Wesley, Gunn, and Mike

They had no choice but to go down to the creek and take a bath in the freezing water. When they were done they all gave Toby a bath then went running back to the fire which Angel and Spike had built up before they left to take a bath. On the log by the fire they found clean clothes all laid out for them which they quickly put on.

When they were done drying Toby they crawled into the tent and into their sleeping bags. They had all had a big night and were tired. Connor covered Toby up with some blankets and they all went to sleep.

The next morning, just as Wesley said, it was snowing. Angel and Spike volunteered to go out into the cold and cook breakfast since they didn't feel the cold like the others. Connie had given them plenty of potatoes, eggs, ham, sausages and bacon along with red and green chili and tortillas. They all dug in when Angel and Spike brought the food in along with a big pot of coffee. Angel and Spike had already had their blood drinks while the food was cooking.

When they were done they stacked up their plates by the tent opening and Toby started to lick them clean. When Connor saw him he pulled the plates away that had chili still on them. 'I don't want him to have chili guys." "Why, it doesn't seem to bother his stomach." Angel said. "No it doesn't but you guys don't sleep in the same room with him. When he eats that stuff his farts could keep a car going for a week he gets so loaded with gas. The first night he ate some of the green chili he let one go and I swear a fly that was in my room flew through the gaseous cloud and fell right out of the air dead as a door nail." They had a good laugh out of that. "Yes thank heaven for those Beano pills or else Cordelia would lock me out on the balcony."

"Angel why didn't you ever tell me that you could change into a wolf?" Wesley asked as he lay in his sleeping bag.

Angel hesitated at first he knew that everyone was listening. "I didn't think that I would ever have to do it again Wesley, so I figured why mention something that my friends will never see. The last time that I changed into a wolf was after I was given my soul back and I was having a hard time finding food and a place to stay. During those days I was so full of feelings of guilt that half of the time I didn't know where I was or where I was going. One night my mind cleared and I suddenly realized that I was in the mountains with no towns or farms in sight. So I changed into a wolf and for the next several months I roamed through Spain and France living as a wolf. For a short time I traveled with a pack of wolves. I found it was a lot easier to find prey that way. A wolf hunting alone doesn't do too well. When I traveled with a pack I was able to get all I wanted to eat and drink and when I was alone I would often become very thin and weak. Angelus and Darla would change into wolves when they were forced to travel Europe without the aid of transportation. They got a big kick out of terrorizing people and animals. But it hurts to change back and forth like that. Just like it hurt for Angelus to change into his true form it's painful for me to change into a wolf."

"Well why did you decide to do it now?" Mike asked.

"I did it for Connor. It occurred to me shortly after Mom had her conversation with Angelus that I should see if Connor could change into a wolf. Since he is able to do so many of the other things I can do, to a lesser degree of course, but still able to do them I wanted to see if he could do this. I thought their would be a better then 50/50 chance that he could since his parents are both Vampires. I thought of his hot temper and a lot of what ifs came up in my head. Primarily I thought what if he gets mad one day and he starts to change without him realizing what he is doing. Or gets so lost in thought one day that he starts to turn. I know it sounds crazy but you know how it is when you start worrying about something all kinds of crazy ideas come into your head. Anyway I thought that this weekend would be a perfect time to test him."

"So how did he do? I mean I know he can change now but is it easy for him or was it hard." Wesley asked. "Well from what I could see he didn't have any problem. Did you have a problem Connor?"

"No, at first it was difficult but the second time it was a lot easier. The problem I had was going back into my human form after being a wolf for several hours. I almost panicked when I almost got stuck changing my front legs and paws back to my hands and arms." "I'm glad you told me. When I had to take on the body of the Wolf for so long I had a hard time remembering my true form. When I was able to I asked Angelus why I had a hard time of changing back. He told me that I stayed one for to long and I came dangerously close to losing myself and becoming one and that's why I want you to make sure that you always have either myself or Spike with you if you choose to change again. The first time I knew I could do this was when Angelus was in control and he never had a problem. Don't forget Connor, don't be stupid like me and try to do it on your own. At least have one of us around when you do it the next couple of times. You'll look very funny trying to drive home with the paws of a wolf. I'm going to get some more sleep now and then I'll take you guys to a hot spring where we can soak for a while and my poor bones can relax and fall into place better because tonight I want to play Tarzan if your up to it Connor.?"

"Only as long as you promise not to cheat like you did in Ireland." Angel sat up and looked at Connor. "What if I do, what are you going to do tell Grandma again. Don't forget that you're the one she hit and told you not to be a tattle tale." Connor started to say something then he remembered what his Grandmother had told him. (Don't get mad get even.)

"What's this Tarzan game?" Mike asked Wesley.

"Cordelia told me that Angel and Connor like watching the old Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies. Since Angel and Connor can go through the trees a lot like Tarzan did they invented a game of, kind of follow the leader type, where they go climbing the trees like a couple of monkeys. Angel plays the part of Tarzan and Connor plays the part of Boy."

Connor and Toby had too much energy to sit in the tent. After putting on his jacket he picked up the dishes and proceeded to wash them in the hot water that he had put on the fire earlier. When he was done he wrote a note telling them where he was and to just call him when they were ready to go to the hot springs. He picked up his fishing gear then and went down to the creek where they had taken a bath the previous night.

Two hours later Connor heard Angel calling for him. He quickly picked up his gear and fish he had caught and went running back to the camp. When he got there he saw everyone with their heavy coats on and waiting for him.

"Let's go Connor. Wow! You caught all of those trout in just 2 hours?" Gunn asked when he saw all of the fish on the line Connor was carrying. "They're biting like crazy. I barely had to put my line in and they would go for it." The others came over to look at all the fish Connor caught.

"Isn't their a limit of 10 trout per day or something like that Angel. I've counted 15 here." Wesley asked Angel. "Haven't you noticed Wesley that we are the only ones up here? The campgrounds are closed for the season and we have special permission from a former client that just so happens to be a head honcho of the forestry service up here. You can put those fish in one of those 2 gallon plastic bags and put them in the creek. The water is cold enough to act as a refrigerator. I am going to start these guys going to the hot springs and you can catch up ok?" "Yeah I'll be their in a few minutes."

Connor did as Angel said and caught up to the others in just a few minutes. Everyone but Mike was taking the hike okay. After only 30 minutes Wesley called to Angel to stop for a few minutes. "We have to stop and rest for a few minutes Angel, Mike isn't used to the physical activity. He's breathing real hard." Angel came back to Mike. He could hear his heart beating real fast and he was just barely standing on his own two feet. Spike came over and listened to his heart with his vampire hearing and looked at his skin. He pushed Mike down so that he was sitting on a log that was by the trail then he sat next to him and tried his best to hide his smile. "Mike, I want you to tell me the truth now. Is Hunter giving you the Vampire Special?" When he finally got his breath back he looked at the guys and broke out in the biggest smile they had ever seen on his face. "You bet she is, and guys you haven't had real sex until you've had it done to you. I thought the head of my penis was going to blow off. I'm glad we were at my house where there is enough space between the houses so that I didn't wake up to many people when I voiced my opinion of her winning technique."

Gunn was the first one to say something. It was just a few words but it said what they all felt. "You lucky dog." It took the guys a few minutes for them to get past the imagery that they had in their heads. The guys then started laughing so hard that they had to all sit down. After he finally stopped laughing Spike said to Mike "I guess you know that besides being out of shape you're also a little anemic and your blood volume is down slightly. So, I guess you know that next time be careful not to do that when you're going to being doing stuff with us." Spike said.

"Yeah and I also suggest that you start working out with us. Even Spike, Connor and myself have to work out almost every day to do what we do. Let's go, it's only a few hundred yards ahead now. If you start getting out of breath again tell me and I'll carry you." Angel told him. They all started out again but Angel went more slowly this time.

As they cleared the next hill they saw some small man made pools with steam rising into the cold air. Each pool was surrounded by a type of wood hut with the sides open. "Let's go guys. Last one in is a rotten demon egg." Angel said as he went running to the pools. Everyone else followed him to the pools and started disrobing as soon as they got their. As soon as they settled into the pool Angel pulled out two bottles of blood for himself and Spike from his back pack and put them in the water to warm up. The rest of the guys pulled out bottles of beer. Connor had a can of Pepsi and of course a sandwich and chips.

"Hey where's mine, don't you remember I asked you to make me one?" Gunn said to Connor. "You did not, otherwise I would have made you one." "He's pulling your leg Connor." Wesley said as he took another drink from his bottle of beer.

"So how is the portrait coming Angel?" Wesley asked. "Pretty good I have the drawing done and when I get back I'll start painting it." "You know we all have bets going on whether Cordelia will be able to get in to see the painting before your ready for her to see it." Mike told him. "Yeah I heard you guys. How many are betting on her and how many on me." "It's even, with a mixture of men and women on each side."

After soaking in the water for an hour Angel woke up from a short nap. "Mike and Spike I need you to help me put my shoulder blade back into its correct position." Angel went to the center of the pool and put his back to Spike. "Spike, give me a second to get my mind into the right mode then push my shoulder blade back towards my spine. Mike, push on my shoulder from the front and Connor pull my arm on the side. Wesley, don't let me drown if I pass out from the pain." Everyone got in place and Angel prepared himself mentally. When Spike saw his shoulder start to shimmer he told everyone "Okay guys on three. One, two, three." Spike pushed, Mike pushed and Connor pulled on his arm while putting his foot under his arm. Angel let out a loud groan but managed not to pass out.

"Did that ever happen before when you changed back?" Mike asked Angel. "Yeah, when I was traveling with the wolf pack and I decided to change back to my human form it had been so long that I almost couldn't remember how I looked. When I finally got it right and checked myself in a mirror I could see my shoulder blade was incorrect. I was able to move it alright but it made me look like I was a hunch back if you looked real close. As soon as I was able to I went to a doctor and gave him some story of being kicked by a horse. He got a couple of guys to help him and did just like you guys did. That's how I knew what to do and that is one of the reasons why I don't like to change unless I have to. So this will probably be the last time that you see Angel Wolf." "That has got to hurt something awful." Mike said. "It did that's why I told Wesley not to let me drown if I passed out from the pain. When we get back I'm going to need Cordelia to give me a massage if this hot water bath doesn't help me enough."

As they were soaking Mikes pager went off. He got out of the pool and went to his clothes. "We have to go guys, the page was about Fred." "What about Fred?" Wesley asked as he climbed out of the pool and started to put his clothes back on after drying himself. "Her water broke and Dr. Martin is taking her into the hospital for a Cesarean." "It's too early for them to be born isn't it?" Wesley asked. "Well yes and no. I was talking to Hunter and Dr. Martin and showing them the latest ultrasound on Fred. The baby's are too large for her to be only 7 months along. We think that you and her were making babies three to four weeks earlier which would be a lot better if she is 8 months along. That would mean that the babies are all done growing and are only putting weight on now. The most dangerous part of premature babies is their lungs that haven't developed enough for them to take in oxygen and process it correctly. At 7 months they would have a hard time but they would make it. At 8 months they just need to stay in the hospital for a few days so we can make sure they are doing okay."

Everyone was out of the pool and dressed in minutes and they were on their way back to the campsite. Wesley tried his cell phone as soon as he got back. "No signal over here. Angel I have to get to the closest town so I can call home." "Wait a minute Wesley and I'll go with you. Mike do you want to come with us I might be able to get you home within an hour or so. When we get there Wesley we can call Morgan and see if he can lend us his helicopter to pick you two up and take you to L.A.." Wesley and Mike threw their stuff in their duffel bags and got into Wesley's SUV. "Start taking the camp down and load up. I'll be back as soon as I can but if the sun comes out I'll have to wait until it starts to go down so I can be in it long enough to drive back." Angel got in and they took off.

It took them 30 minutes to get to the nearest town and call home and then Morgan. When Angel came back from making the calls he let Wesley and Mike know what was going on. He had a big grin on his face when he reached for Wesley's hand. "Congratulations Wesley you have 2 brand new baby boys. Mother and sons are doing fine." Wesley shook Angels hand then hugged him. He was so happy he had tears coming down his cheeks. Mike shook his hand also. "Congratulations Daddy."

"Morgan is sending us his helicopter and it should be here in an hour or less. We have to go over to the local hospital because that's where he'll land." They loaded up then and drove to the local hospital. The hospital was in a small 2 story building with a section of land paved for the landing and takeoff of helicopters to pick up patients that they couldn't take care of. Wesley went into the hospital to tell someone about the helicopter landing there then went back to his SUV and waited with Angel and Mike.

Wesley started to worry that they might not be able to take off when the helicopter arrived because it started getting darker with heavy clouds overhead. In another 20 minutes the helicopter came in. The pilot came out and was greeted by the men. "Mr. Price I can only take you back with me. I hit a lot of wind coming over here and I don't have enough fuel to carry two men and their gear. We could try it with both but I am afraid we will run into even more bad weather and I'll need all of the fuel I have left before we get to the nearest airport." "Go ahead Wesley you have all of the doctors you need right at the hospital. Good luck." Mike pat him on the back then went back to the SUV. Wesley and the pilot loaded up and he took off. Mike jumped into the SUV and explained what was going on. They headed back to the camp site then.

When they arrived they saw not only Connor and Gunn but 3 more people. One of them had a rifle pointed at Connor.

TBC………………….