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"Hockey is the greatest, greatest sport known to man," Angel declared
"Dude, hockey is the WHITEST sport known to man," Gunn replied
Angel ignored him as he opened the crate, removing a small hockey shirt made for a toddler. He turned it around, showing the number '3' and Connor's name on the back
"Cute," Fred grinned, "How'd you pay for it?"
"I memorised Cordy's credit card number," Angel replied
Gunn took out the small hockey sticks, tossing one to Angel, before grabbing the puck and dribbling it a bit, then shooting it under the weapons cabinet
"He shoots, he scores!"
"Yeah, with no defender," Angel grumbled, retrieving the puck
He and Gunn played around with a puck for a bit, until Angel stole the puck off Gunn and fired it – straight through one of the windows
"Yeah, they're not even regulation size," Angel cringed
The crashing woke Ashleigh up and she started to cry, but Angel moved to her, picking her up and rocking her, whispering soothing words into her ear
"I wonder how Cordy is going on her holiday," Fred said
"She needed the time off," Angel said, "I'm sure she's enjoying herself"
"What has Wesley been doing in that office lately?" Gunn asked
"He's been working on something. I'll check on him," Angel offered
He headed into the office, finding Wesley hunched over at his desk
"Man, Wes, you look like hell. And I don't mean the fun one where they burn you with hot pokers for all eternity. I'm talking about the hardcore one with Nixon and Britney Spears"
"Thanks, Angel," Wesley said dryly, not looking up
"What are you working on?"
"Just a few prophecies here and there. I'm heading out later for some more books and other sources to translate this one"
"Okay then. At least you'll see some sun. Don't wanna end up like me, do you?"
"No, we wouldn't want that"
Angel smiled and left the office, as Wesley sighed and stared at his translation, the words boring into his eyes. He didn't believe it. He knew Angel would never kill Connor. But he had to be certain. He needed proof to disprove the prophecy. Gathering up a few things, Wesley left the office, largely ignoring Gunn and Fred fooling around together on the couch. Leaving the hotel, Wesley headed for an occult shop, searching for more books on prophecies. He spent a few hours at the shop, gathering information, as well as a location where he could have his questions answered. Writing everything down, Wesley headed off
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"Mmm, so good," Angel grinned, smacking his lips
"Angelcakes, you feeling okay?" Lorne asked, "You've been drinking a lot of blood lately. Gotta watch your weight. Can't have a chubby champion"
"I know, but you know, I'm a vampire. I gotta have blood to survive"
"Yeah, okay, fair point, but slow down on the intake, champ"
Just then, Ashleigh started crying from inside her bassinet
"Aren't you gonna get your daughter?" Fred asked
"Always crying. Always needing something. Wish she would just grow up!"
Angel threw his glass of blood in anger, shattering it against the wall, as Gunn moved in front of Fred and Lorne, prepared to take on Angel just in case
"Hold on, champ, she's just a baby," Lorne said
"Not for long she will be," Angel growled, then suddenly relaxed, "What's going on? What's happening to me?"
Fred moved out from behind Gunn, taking a swap of blood from the wall
"Where have you been getting your blood?" she asked
"Same place as always"
Fred took the swap to her microscope and started analysing it
"It's pig's blood, but it also has human blood in it. Someone's been spiking your supply. Let me compare some samples"
She sent to work, as Angel ran his hand through his hair in frustration
"Oh boy. You're not gonna like this, Angel," Fred said after several minutes, "Someone's been putting Connor and Ashleigh's blood in your supply"
"And we all know the one place that would do that," Gunn said
"Wolfram and Hart," Angel finished, "Time to pay Lilah a visit"
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Lilah was busy having a drink down at the bar, having just finished a busy day at work and was rewarding herself for her good work
"Enjoying some me time?"
Lilah looked up at the mirror across from her, before rolling her eyes, as Angel sat down beside her
"How'd you find me?" she asked
"Your assistant"
"I'll have his arms broken"
"Already taken care of. What kind of game are you playing?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about"
"Spiking my blood supply with that of my children? And here I thought you couldn't sink any lower than you already have"
"What are you gonna do about it, Angel? Kill me?"
"It's tempting"
"What the hell is going on here?" cried a voice
Lilah and Angel turned around to face Sahjahn, who had suddenly appeared behind them, a look of anger and confusion on his face
"Why are you having a chat with my mortal enemy?" Sahjahn asked, outraged
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Angel asked, "Cause I'm sure I would"
"Don't worry, Sahjahn, Angel came to me," Lilah replied, "I'd kill him if I could, but you know my bosses. They won't let that. Don't worry about it"
"Fun as this is, I'm leaving," Angel said, "Goodbye"
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Wesley arrived back at the hotel, a dejected look on his face. He had visited Holtz for some reason. Holtz knew about the prophecy and apparently wanted to save the two children from Angel. From there, Wesley went to a source and learned that the prophecy would indeed come true, following an earthquake, fire and a rain of blood. He decided to tell Angel about it all and headed up to his room, finding the vampire rocking his daughter to sleep, Connor already asleep on the bed
"Wes, you're back," Angel said, "We've been missing you"
"I had some things to take care of. Everything alright here?"
"Everything's fine. There you go, Ash. All nice, warm and asleep"
Angel put his daughter to sleep and stepped back with a smile
"I tell you, Wes, these kids, they're everything to me. They're my whole world, along with Cordy and you guys. But my children, they're something more. I would do anything for them. Hell, I would die for them"
Wesley smiled as he listened to his best friend, then let out a small chuckle
"What's so funny?" Angel asked, trying to figure out the joke
"Oh, nothing really," Wesley grinned, "Just…little things"
Angel smiled, when suddenly, the whole place started to shake. An earthquake had struck. Connor bolted upright in shock and fear, as Ashleigh started crying. The stove fell over, setting the carpet ablaze. Angel grabbed Connor, then lifted Ashleigh out of her bassinet with one arm, before leaping over a burning piece of the ceiling, rushing out of the room. Wesley simply stood in the room, transfixed by the flames. Angel put his son down, before rushing back inside and grabbing Wesley by the back of his shirt, dragging him out of the room as the flames became intense
"Are you alright?" Angel asked, kneeling before Connor
Slumped against the wall, Wesley watched as blood dripped from a cut on Angel's forehead, dripping down upon Ashleigh's blanket and Connor's head
"Oh well, if I got stuck in there, I'd be fine," Angel said, "Couple of snacks"
Wesley's jaw dropped slightly in shock as he realized that the prophecy was starting to come true, right before his very eyes
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