Chapter 2
For Love or Hate
Author Note: The lyrics in this chapter is by none other than the great Metallica the song is (the Memory Remains) of there (Reload) Album and since I am not a part of Metallica then the song and the lyrics aren't mine okay
Author Note2: Thanks to all those who read and reviewed my fic thanks guys you are the best, and also thanks to my beta
Author Note3 I am really sorry about the delay, I was busy and my beta was busy this chapter was supposed to be posted a month ago but anyways I promise I will update soon, Okay now enjoy this chapter
Fortune, fame
Mirror vain
Gone insane
But the memory remains
Angel and Faith were shocked; there at the hotel entrance was The Scooby gang, Riley, Andrew, Robin, and Six other slayers
Connor looked to his dad, then to the people standing at the entrance. He did not recognize any of them except for Willow and Spike. The rest of them he didn't know, but from the look on his father's and Faith's faces, he knew that they knew them too well.
Angel eyed the people standing in front him with suspicion, he didn't know why they were here and the presence of so many slayers was driving the demon in him crazy. He regained his expressionless face and said, "My, my look what the cat brought"
Xander was about to make another stupid comment when Giles held up his hand and looked at Angel suspiciously, "Well Angelus, we are here because there is something going to happen here. We thought we'd drop by to tell that we are taking over from here."
"You're not taking over anything," interrupted Roham as he descended the stairs. He had just had a shower and was wearing black sweat pants and a sleeveless white shirt.
"And who the hell are you?" asked Andrew, as he looked at Roham in disgust
"Name's Roham O'Patrick" said Roham as he threw an angry gaze at the people standing before him; he knew who they were from Faith's description of them when she told him her story.
He then walked to stand right behind Angel's right shoulder.
Buffy took a step closer looking towards the group "Let me make this clear: we are here to track some demons that are planning an apocalypse so we are taking over LA till we get them."
Roham stepped forward in anger and was just about to reply when Angel grabbed him by the shoulder. Roham looked at his brother who secretly winked to him. Roham considered what Angel was trying to convey, then smiled and stepped back.
Angel ran his hand through his now longer hair, then he raised his head and smiled his famous half smile as he spoke, "Well let me be clear: LA is my territory and you won't set foot in here without my permission. If you try you'll have to deal with the consequences. Am I making myself clear?"
Buffy was about to reply when Spike stepped between them and said, "Mates, calm down. Angel we are here to fight with you. These demons are really strong and we need experienced warriors."
Buffy let out a small laugh and Xander looked at the Angel's crew, "Spike, you call these experienced? All they've got is a sissy boy, a rogue slayer, mister big mouth and a vampire." Roham got worked up from the comment and was about to lash out when Angel held his arms and mouthed to him 'NO'.
Roham was boiling with anger. Faith, seeing him this angry, reached out and held his hands in hers, then began massaging his palm with her thumb to try to calm him down. He squeezed her hands gently then he looked over at Angel.
Angel looked at the people in front of him and smirked, "Yep, you are right we don't know how to fight." Connor looked at his dad and mouthed 'WHAT THE FUCK'.
Connor turned toward his uncle and Roham signed to him to act cool. Roham understood now what Angel was doing. He used to apply the same technique when they were playing poker. He remembered it well, for Angel taught to him when he was 14. The rules were simple. Never ever show all your cards. Never throw a card unless you know it's the winning one The most important rule: bluffing is the key to win.
He discovered later that this tips was applied largely in life. Now Angel was playing with them and frankly, Roham couldn't blame him.
Angel continued "So what are you guys after?"
Xander was about to argue when Giles glared at him. He quickly closed his mouth.
Roham laughed, "Good boy! Does he know other tricks like roll over and play dead?"
Giles looked at Roham, and then returned his gaze toward Angel "We are looking for The Black Mage. He escaped hell, and is planning with the assistance of some demons to take over this dimension."
Willow finally decided to speak up. "Also, he has great magical powers; I can sense his powers from a very great distance."
Angel looked at his crew, bent his head down thinking for a few seconds before he raised his eyes and pointed towards Roham and Faith.
"Roham, Faith, take the car and hit the St. Monica pier at the lone bar and see what they know and Roham check at Zerion"
Roham looked at Angel in disbelief "Who? Isn't he supposed to be our enemy" Angel nodded, "Exactly, I want you to go to his lair and beat the crap out of him if you have too"
Roham nodded. "On it." He grabbed Faith's arm, his coat, and walked out the door.
Angel then turned to Connor; tossed him some keys. "Get down to Bryan and ask him if he's heard anything about that Black Mage."
Connor took the keys, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the hotel.
Angel turned his attention back to Buffy and her gang, who looked at him in awe. They hadn't seen Angel like this before, well except for Willow and Spike, but the rest were amazed.
His personality had grown and expanded until it was a force you had to obey. They'd seen him as the slayer lap dog, or the vicious monster or the brooding guy, but they'd never seen him as the leader.
"Giles, I want you all in my office. I want everything you have on that guy." he turned and walked into his office.
Heavy rings on fingers wave
Another star denies the grave
See the nowhere crowd cry the nowhere cheers of honor
Roham and Faith were in his car heading towards St. Monica pier and each of them was involved with some deep thoughts.
Roham was wondering how the new turn of events would affect his brother who was still not fully over what happened two months ago. Angel was still fragile and they were his support system. He was afraid that they wouldn't be able to stand against the memories that Buffy and her friends brought with them.
Moreover, he knew that from now on, things would never slow down and they would have to hold on to Angel's sanity as this train tries to squash everything in its way.
On the other hand, Faith was scared that the run down her Sunnydale path wouldn't end well. She had some of her darkest years in that place. She didn't want it to come up because she was afraid it might scare Roham away. For the first time she didn't want a quick relationship; she wanted something meaningful with Roham.
She was even proud of the fact that they had been dating for over a month and she hadn't had sex with him. For some reason deep inside, she wanted it to be special with Roham. She wanted to make love not have sex.
What amazed her was how understanding Roham was and how much he needed her. Sometimes he would be all worked up and angry, and when she simply held his hand or touched his shoulder, he calmed down. She never had that kind of soothing effect ever on a man. Also she was happy with the way Roham made her feel the way she always wanted to feel. He made her feel special.
She snapped out her thoughts when Roham touched her shoulder, "Honey, let's go." She looked at him and smiled as she got out the car.
Roham entered the bar with Faith behind him and as they walked through the tables, he reached the bar.
When the bartender saw them coming in he got nervous, Roham sat down and grinned, "So what's up David?"
David answered hesitantly, "Nothing much, Roham. What brings to this part of town?"
Roham looked at David and replied sarcastically, "What's with the bad manners David? Aren't you gonna ask us what we'd like to drink? You know you're losing your touch."
Faith was smiling at the way Roham was intimidating the bartender using his sweet manner and the small talk. He once told her that awaiting the danger is a hundred times worse than facing it. He was using this small piece of information very well.
"What would you like to drink?" asked David swallowing hard.
Roham looked over at Faith and said, "She will have a beer and I will have a shot of tequila."
David prepared the drinks with a shaky hand and placed them in front Roham who has just lit a cigarette "So David what's new with you?"
The scared bartender looked at Roham in surprise "I am fine, Roham. Why did you come here?"
Roham smirked "What? Can't I drop by an old friend for a drink and a chat?"
David looked at Roham in awe. Roham returned raised his cup to David and drank it quickly and looked in to the bartender eyes, "Well, you see David, a little birdie told me that the Black Mage is here. Is that true?"
David swallowed hard, and looked around him nervously, "Well, I don't know about that Black Mage stuff, but all that I can tell you that something strange is happening."
That got Faith's attention who lowered her beer, and started to listen closely to what David was saying
David moved his gaze from Roham to Faith, "Lately powerful demons, who are supposed to be enemies, are sitting together and their minions serve them all. Also it appears that someone is moving them from behind the curtains. They are like that guy's army. No one speaks of him even though he came to LA a couple of weeks ago. He has the loyalty of many demons and master vampires including your friend Zerion. It's all pretty scary."
Roham was lost in thought as he looked at David, "That's all you've got?" David nodded in affirmation
Roham looked at Faith who seemed a little shaken by what she heard. It was another apocalypse to fight and this looked like a big one.
"Well, thanks David," Roham said as he grabbed Faith's hand and headed out of the club. He opened the car door for her and waited until she was seated and then closed it after her. He got in and started the engine. "Well, Honey looks like we are in for one hell of a fight."
Like twisted vines that grow
Hide and swallow mansions whole
And dim the light of an already faded prima donna
Meanwhile Connor was heading on the motorcycle to Bryan, when he spotted a hottie trying to carry her bags inside a building. He stopped the motorcycle and went towards her.
"Excuse me Miss. Do you need any help?" said Connor as he lifted his sunglasses over his head.
The girl turned around and was about to brush him off, but something in his eyes caught her. The look in them reminded her of someone, but she couldn't remember who. She smiled as she said, "Yeah. Sure, thank you."
Connor bent down and carried two of her bags easily. She looked at him and asked, "So what made you think that I might need help?"
Connor gave her a half smile, which made her knees go weak. "Nothing. I love to help stunning girls."
The girl blushed from Connor's comment, "So do you go to college?"
Connor placed the bags in front of her apartment and they turned around to go get the rest of bags, "Yeah, I go to UCLA."
The girl smiled to him and shook her head to move away a strand of hair off her eyes, "I'm attending there this semester. Maybe I will see you there."
He bent down and grabbed the remaining two bags, "Maybe." They continued up to her apartment in silence where he stood while she opened the door He entered and placed the bags in there.
He looked at her and said, "Well, I better be going."
She smiled at him in gratitude, and shook his hand, "Thank you."
He turned around to leave but stopped at the door and turned around. "I didn't catch your name." said Connor.
"Dawn. And you?"
Connor looked at her and replied, "Connor."
Dawn walked towards him, "Well I guess I will see at college then."
Connor moved his hand through his hair, "Absolutely!"
When the door was closed both of them leaned against the wall "Oh My God!"
Heavy rings hold cigarettes
Up to lips that time forgets
While the Hollywood sun sets behind your back
Connor was riding on his motorcycle to the hotel he couldn't think about anything except Dawn. How beautiful she was, How sweet she sounded. He decided to ask her out the next time he met her.
Now he had to tell his dad, that his meeting with Bryan was a total bust. He hadn't found out anything except that the frequency of demons coming to threaten store owners recently had decreased noticeably.
He entered the hotel and walked toward his dad's office, he stood dead as he overheard the conversation that was going on
Xander seemed angry, "I dont care what you think Angel. I think our way is the best!"
Angel looked at him and spoke calmly, "Your way? You mean you're asking me to throw my friends in a battle without knowing anything about the enemy?"
Xander waved his hands and screamed, "What friends are you talking about? You buy your friends with your money. You pay them to fight with you. This is not called friendship."
Angel seemed shocked as he looked at Xander with empty eyes. Buffy gave Angel a look he couldn't explain, but he was to hurt to think what it meant. Willow and Spike jumped out of their chairs. "Xander! Shut up and let Giles do the talking from now on!" shouted Willow.
Connor was boiling with anger as he stepped in the room and everyone looked at him as he walked towards Angel, "Hi DAD"
Angel looked at his son; Connor could see the pain in his eyes. His face was perfectly cold with no trace of pain, but his eyes were full with pain, "Hi SON."
Everyone looked shocked when they heard that. They all looked between Connor and Angel.
Buffy looked hurt and she looked at Angel in disbelief, "Son? He is your son? How? When? Where?"
Connor looked at them with flaming eyes, and then towards his father who shook his head sideward, "You wanna know who my mother is?"
Angel stood up and pointed a finger at his son, "Connor NO"
Connor returned his gaze to his dad, "Why dad? I mean they wanna know and what's the harm in me telling it?"
Angel grabbed his son by his shoulder and dragged him out of the view of shocked people. He pushed him into the nearest room.
"It will do a lot of harm. It's bad enough that they know you're my son. You don't know what their reaction would be if they knew that you're the son of the strongest and cruellest vampires in the history of the world, so please just let it go and I will find a way to tell them."
Connor looked at his dad in amazement. Even when he was hurting like hell, he was concerned about his son's safety. "But Dad, they insulted you."
Angel waved a hand "And they will be paid back, but not like this. Okay now let's return to them."
Connor nodded and followed his dad toward the main room. As he walked in he felt all the people in the room gazing toward him, he ignored them and sat down in an empty chair near Spike, who bent down towards Connor and whispered, "Quite a bloody bomb you dropped there mate."
Connor gave them half a smile and returned his attention to his dad who was standing at the head of the table looking at everyone, then he focused his gaze at Buffy, "So Connor, what did you find out?"
"Well not much. Bryan said that nothing abnormal has happened lately. On the contrary, the supernatural raiding has decreased remarkably in the past two weeks."
Angel frowned thinking then he looked at Giles and asked, "When did you say he came to LA?"
Giles took off his glasses, and started to clean them. He knew why Angel changed the topic and he was glad because stirring in Angel's past while their nerves were still irritated wasn't a good idea. He preferred to let things settle before they discussed anything.
"Well, we lost track of him three weeks ago. That means he came to LA two weeks ago, but what explains the decrease in demon activities?"
Andrew looked to the people around the table then to Giles, "Well, maybe they are scared of The Black Mage"
"Or maybe more." The people sitting around the table jumped in surprise as they turned around to see Roham and Faith at the door.
Spike was the first to recover from the surprise. "What do you mean?" asked Spike
Roham was about to reply to Spike's question but Angel said something in Gaelic. Roham looked to his brother and raised his eyebrow and replied back in Gaelic. They kept talking for a few minutes in it. When they finally turned back to the group, everyone was looking at them suspiciously.
Angel looked at Giles and Xander with a gaze that would kill, "So what do you know about the Black Mage? Don't try to fool me or I swear to god, you're gonna see an Angel you never knew."
He looked at Xander before he could reply, "Much worse than Angelus. Now I want everything you know now"
Everyone was amazed at the power of Angel's words. Most of them felt a little thrown by his outburst. Giles removed his glassed to clean them again and began his reply. "Well, the Black Mage is one of the strongest black wizards ever. He was sent to hell by two warriors who fought him 60 years ago."
Roham smirked and asked, "That's all you know?"
Giles looked at Roham and wore his glasses again, "Well, we know he is here in LA looking for allies so that he won't lose this time. We don't know if he has any yet."
Roham looked at Angel, who nodded to him, "Well, what I heard today doesn't say that. He already has a good number of demons working for him. They've stopped raiding shops and doing small jobs because they are planning something big. That's his technique. He waits for the one shot, but when he takes it, he destroys everything that stands in his way and those who survive carry the memory of losing the ones they care about."
Everyone looked at Roham with a slight fear building up in them, Spike coughed, "How do you know mate?"
Roham looked to the ceiling," I read a lot, and plus that's a known story in the underworld"
Roham smiled to them, took his coat, and as he turned and walked away, "I think you have enough information. Use it."
He then walked downstairs to the new training room.
Fortune, fame
Mirror vain
Gone insane
Fortune, fame
Mirror vain
Gone insane
But the memory remains
Faith looked towards the stairs suspiciously wondering why Roham seemed hurt, as if he knew more. She looked towards Angel who shrugged his shoulders in a sign of ignorance.
He shook his head. He did not known why his brother was acting like this. He looked at the people around him and stood a little straighter.
"Okay, I want a search party of four on books. I want you to search anything you can find on the Black Mage. You will find all the books you need here. I managed to sneak some really old books and volumes from Wolfram and Hart before it was destroyed."
Angel turned his gaze to his crew. "Faith, tonight I want you and Roham to patrol the south part of LA. I want everything that you can get about this guy. Anything might be helpful." He shifted his gaze towards his son "Connor, you and I will patrol the northern part. Got it?"
Connor and Faith nodded their heads. Spike and Willow looked at each other and they decided to follow Angel's plan. It sounded good so Willow looked at Angel and asked, "Angel, where is the research room?"
Spike looked at Angel and smiled, "You think I can join you tonight?" Angel turned his head and glared at Spike. He still couldn't stand being around him. He might act normal around him but every time he looked at his face or heard his voice he remembers all the years of hard work that were thrown away. All the pain and suffering that was forgotten. The worst thing is that he gave up everything - his life, his friends, and his son and there is simply nothing more to give. There is no one to blame.
"Well. You can patrol the eastern part of LA "said Angel in a voice he tried to keep neutral and he turned around and looked at Faith, "Faith go tell Roham what I just told you."
Faith smiled and went downstairs to her boyfriend, while Angel followed her with his gaze until she disappeared, then he returned his attention to the people standing behind him.
"So righteous group are you in or out," said Angel sarcastically in a way reminding them of Angelus
Giles looked at his group and then towards Angel, he knew that when Angel came to Sunnydale to fight with them Buffy told him that it was her fight he respected her decision and left, so now its time to repay that for Angel.
"We agree on one term," said Giles as he looked at the vampire with the soul. "You never touch or hurt anyone of my crew."
Angel looked and smirked "Fine."
And can't the band play on?
Just listen, they play my song
Ash to ash, dust to dust, fade to black
Faith went downstairs and found Roham shirtless, his body gleaming with sweat, his eyes closed while gliding through the air with perfect fighting movements, his muscles contracting and relaxing slowly as he perfected every move.
Faith looked at his face and wondered what made him this sad; she could feel his sadness in her heart, which was a new feeling for her.
She never felt this connected to anyone like this ever. She thought she was in love with him, but she was too afraid to admit it. What if he didn't love her back? She used the bad girl attitude to keep people at bay and to intimidate them.
She taught herself that in order to survive you must be strong. She never allowed anyone to see her weak resulting in the bad girl attitude.
With Roham it was different. She loved being just the girl with him - a girl in the arms of her boyfriend. She always wanted that.
She walked forward on the mat and touched his shoulder.
Suddenly she found herself in the other corner of the room.
She was shocked that Roham hit her so hard and fast. She couldn't believe it.
Roham realized what he had just done. He was so immersed in memories that he didn't notice Faith; He just punched her by natural instinct.
He ran off to where she fell. She was holding her jaw as he kissed her forehead, "Oh, Faith! Are you okay?"
Faith looked at him and smiled, "Yeah, Roham. I am sure you didn't mean to hit me."
Roham touched her jaw and she flinched so he kissed her jaw and pulled her into a warm embrace, "I am sorry. I didn't mean it. I wasn't paying enough attention."
Faith touched his cheek with her hand, "I know honey. Now down to business, big guy. Angel wants us to patrol the southern part of LA and try to find anything we can on that guy, okay?"
Roham helped Faith up and smiled, "Any of the stupid gang coming with us?"
"Yeah, Spike"
Roham placed his hands on Faith waist as they began to walk back upstairs; they skipped Angel's office where he was discussing strategies with Giles and Xander.
They went upstairs to their room. When they opened the room they found Connor standing in front of the window with his back to them.
"Connor, What are you doing here lad?" wondered Roham while Connor turned his face to them.
"I am worried about Dad. Roham, I am afraid he might do something stupid. All the memories the guys downstairs bring to him are not his happiest and we just managed to lessen the pain in his heart."
Faith moved closer to Connor and placed her hand on his shoulder, "Come on Con. He is gonna be fine. Your dad is a tough man."
Connor moved away from Faith and frowned, "Yeah he is a tough man. He may be as hard as steel. He held himself high, even after the powers threw his hard work in the toilet and gave Spike his reward. He was strong when he lost his friends. He didn't lose control over himself, but even steel can snap like a twig if you apply too much pressure on it."
Roham smiled and looked at Connor, "Then we will help your father. Me, you and Faith. We are his support system and we are his family. And that's what family members do for each other - they hold each others hands through problems."
Connor tried to convince himself with what just his uncle had just said, "So if that's true, why didn't he tell them our powers or who we truly are?"
Roham looked at Faith and then at Connor, "Bluffing. He is bluffing. He wants to keep our powers hidden until it's time to show them. In a way I agree with him and in others I disagree, but we have to respect his wishes. Do you know why? Because right now he needs to face his demons, his old painful memories and that's a fight he must fight alone."
Connor nodded and smiled to Faith and Roham," So I will go to my room. There is an important report I must finish and I have two hours till sunset"
Drift away
Fade away
Little tin goddess
Ash to ash
Dust to dust
Fade to black
After settling everyone in their rooms in the hotel, Angel sat alone in his room smoking like a chimney. He knew that this arrangement was going to give him a hell of a heartache but it was the best that way they could find each other easily and the hotel could be like a headquarters for the coming battle.
Angel had heard about the Black Mage. He even saw him a 150 years ago. He was the most vicious and cruellest creature he'd ever met, but also he was a genius in making plans and gaining allies.
The vampire with a soul knew that this would be one hell of a fight, an apocalyptic one. He was used to those fights. He'd fought them for so long, but back then, he'd had something to look forward to after each fight - a reward, a promise of redemption.
Now he was entering the fight with a death wish. He didn't care who he was going against he just fought with all the anguish and pain in his heart. He fought until he wins or dies.
He still felt the bitterness in his throat. He couldn't believe that he worked so hard to reach something and Spike comes in a lunge and takes it away from him. He didn't break down and he wasn't planning to. He still has people that depend on him.
First was Connor, his son. A smile always crept to his face when he thought about the strong relationship they'd built together. Now they were truly father and son. He loved his son, and he finally felt that Connor's mind was at peace.
Next was Faith. She still needed a friend to fight all those dark memories. She treated him like Angel not Angelus. It was amazing how she was one of few who knew the difference between a soul and a demon. She never judged him for Angelus' acts, but again she knew how hard was it to fight yourself. His respect for Faith grew day by day.
As for Roham his brother, they needed each other. He knew how hard was it for Roham to fight with other people since he spent the past 239 years fighting alone. They were sort of leaning on each other until they can deal with other people.
Angel was so lost in his thoughts he didn't feel Buffy standing at the door.
Buffy had thought about Angel a lot these past two months ever since Spike was transferred to Italy. She couldn't stop thinking on how miserable he must have felt.
She always knew that becoming human was his only wish, a wish that never came true to him. He worked so hard, had been through so much and because of the decision she made by giving Spike the amulet, he was placed above Angel.
Today when she looked at his eyes she found the pain was still there She saw how hard he tried to hide it and knew how angry he must have been, how betrayed he felt.
She approached him slowly and touched his shoulder and whispered, "Angel?"
When he turned around and looked in her eyes, she still could see the pain so intense, it freaked her out. How could he be living with such pain? Then suddenly his look got cold and dead.
"Buffy, what is it?" said Angel as he dragged a deep breathe from the cigarette
"We need to talk."
Both of them froze as they looked in each other's eyes.
Fortune, fame
Mirror vain
Gone insane
Fortune, fame
Mirror vain
Gone insane
But the memory remains
Ash to ash
Dust to dust
Fade to black
But the memory remains
To this faded prima donna
Dance, little tin goddess, dance
End of Chapter 3