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Chapter 13
"Clare." Angel's voice called me softly before I put my hand on the door handle to my room.
I turned to face him.
"Could I have a word?" I followed him to his room. Angel went over to his chair and stood by it looking rather uncomfortable. Shifting his weight from one foot to the next and putting his hands through his hair, just like my boys did – I hadn't noticed before, wow. I gave him a minute then asked,
"What is it, Angel?"
"Would you do me a favour?"
"Of course, if I can, what is it?"
"Would you come to the prison with us?"
"Is that all, of course, no problem."
"Thank you so much." He visibly relaxed, and came over and hugged me.
"So, see you tomorrow then," I said turning to the door. I wasn't sure why he wanted me to come with him, it could be he wasn't sure how the meeting would go, or he wasn't really comfortable taking the boys, but I didn't ask. Sometimes you don't ask for reasons, you just show your support. And this was one of those times.
"Bright and early," he smiled.
Surprisingly, we were all up out of bed, having breakfast by 7.00am.
David came out with us, "Be careful."
"We have Angel with us and, hey. and a Potential Slayer. We'll be fine, but have the kettle on when we return, I think I'll be needing a cup of tea!"
Beth drove, with Angel's directions. It took about two hours to get to the prison. I'm not sure how, but we were allowed to drive into the site and park in a very shaded area that had a doorway almost by the car door. I was certainly impressed with the influence Angel must have had with the prison authorities, or… he could just have bribed them! I'd like to think it was the influence option.
A militaristic style prison guard came to meet us, with the 'do not mess with me' logo tattooed on to her forehead (not literally!). I have never seen Finn and Liam so quiet. I suddenly found myself with one son on each arm. Angel was talking to the prison guard. Beth and Kate were following close behind and Liam, Finn and I were at the back.
"She looks really fierce." Whispered Finn.
"I bet she shaves." Added Liam.
"Ssh!" I hissed under my breath.
We were led through corridors so I became completely disorientated. I hoped we wouldn't have to make a quick exit. The few people that we did pass, stared at us, especially Liam and Finn. I felt two hands slip into mine. It made me smile that my boys, despite everything that had happened in the two weeks in LA, still knew their mum would protect them too. After about fifteen minutes we entered a large room with a few chairs and tables scattered around.
The prison guard turned round and announced that we should wait in the room and not move out from it. She turned back and left through a door. I then heard keys in the lock and we were left alone.
The quietness lasted for about thirty seconds.
"Wow, this is a harsh place," said Kate looking around the room.
"I suppose they can't make it too comfortable," suggested Beth.
"I wonder if all the prison guards look like the one who brought us here?" asked Finn.
"Perhaps they grow them on the premises." stated Liam.
"Liam, don't be so cruel," I responded, trying not to smile.
We lapsed into a silence again, listening to the distant sounds of the prison. Muffled voices emanated from different directions. People were walking passed the doors; you could hear the footsteps and see the movement of light and shadows under the door. Sometimes you could hear chains rattling.
"What's that noise?" asked Liam.
"Marley's ghost." replied Finn.
"You think you are so funny, smart arse."
"I am."
"Not when I've…"
Angel interrupted them, "The chains are used to restrain a prisoner who is being transported somewhere."
"Oh!" they both said together.
I was just impressed that Finn knew a character from Charles Dickens, 'A Christmas Carol,' and used it in context.
"Angel, what is Faith like?" asked Kate. I thought she was looking a little worried, now we were close to meeting the Slayer in waiting, who happened to be in prison for murder or manslaughter; Kate was perhaps realizing the enormity of being the chosen one, and where the power could lead.
"I want you to make your own mind up. All I will say is that I have a great deal of respect for Faith, and I am very glad Beth suggested that you meet with her."
We all lapsed into silence again, straining to hear if any of the footsteps were coming towards the door.
It's surprising when you are very quiet, how much more you can hear from your surroundings. I could now hear keys being turned in locks quite a distance away, and I was beginning to pick up snippets of conversations, I was really concentrating until…
"He's breathing on me!"
"Liam, your brother has to breathe."
"Yeah, but he's so close to me now he's breathing over me."
"Finn, move away, don't annoy Liam, go and breathe over Beth, she won't mind."
Obligingly, Beth came over to Finn and manoeuvred him to another space in the room next to her. Hopefully his breathing wouldn't annoy Liam from there. The next sentence had to come, I was surprised it had taken so long.
"I'm bored."
"Did you bring your ipod?" I asked hopefully.
"Forgot."
"OK," I said, "Well, I spy with my little eye something beginning with c…"
"Mum!" replied Liam. But he was outnumbered because the others took up the challenge."
"Ceiling?"
"No."
"Carafe?"
"That's a posh word, Finn, I'm proud of you." Complimented Beth.
"It's a water jug." Stated Kate.
"Well, it could be a carafe," I encouraged, "But it's not my C."
"Camera?" suggested Angel. We all looked up at the surveillance camera in the corner of the room.
"Yes, now it's your turn."
Much to my surprise, this game, in a very sparsely furnished and decorated room, kept everybody amused for quite a while.
We had been waiting for two hours, and were giving up hope of ever meeting Faith, when finally the sound of several pairs of feet, and the movement of chains came closer. The keys turned in the lock and two guards came in with a very striking young woman. She had long brown hair and large brown eyes. Just with the way she walked into the room and how she stood, I could tell she was different to Buffy.
The silence was broken by, "Prisoner Lehane, we shall be waiting outside. Enjoy the time with your family." One of the prison guards came over and undid the handcuff chains that were on Faith's wrists. The guard turned, then left, not looking behind her and we heard the keys in the lock. No tea and biscuits from the Slayers mother here.
Faith smiled, "Well hello Family Angel."
"Hello, Faith," smiled Angel, "Yes, here are my family."
Angel had already seen Faith to tell her about our meeting so he then introduced us all to her.
I went over and hugged her, as it seemed to be the natural thing to do, "I'm so sorry I haven't brought you anything, only I didn't know I was coming until this morning."
She seemed genuinely touched, "Hey, that's OK I wasn't expecting anything, and it's the thought that counts, right." She looked at me and smiled and I saw what Angel saw. Despite all the wrong decisions in her life and where she was at the moment, Faith had what it took to be a Slayer.
She looked at Liam and Finn. "I can't believe you look so like Angel. Those genes must be strong to keep going for all those years. I bet you boys haven't been short of female attention." They both grinned and nodded.
"They like the identical twin thing," agreed Liam.
That made Faith laugh.
"So," she turned to Kate, "You've seen B and been to Sunnydale and met Joyce and Giles and the Scoobys?"
"Yes, we went a couple of days ago."
"Bit different to here."
"I'm here to see you, I don't mind where you are." I thought that Kate's reply was really mature and I was proud of her. It was obviously the right answer as far as Faith was concerned as she went up to Kate and put her hands on Kate's shoulders and said, "Welcome to the most exclusive club in the world."