Disclaimer: So, you should all know, I own nothing. This all belongs to Joss and as much as I love him, I wanted to make a few changes. So thanks be to the Joss for letting me play!

Spoilers: A few, anything past season 3 and the episode Waiting in the Wings

Pairings: A few, but do you want me to spoil it?

Feedback: Would love some! Flamers will be kept and put on my wall of weird but all constructive criticism is welcome!

Distribution: Not so sure just yet, so ask first please!

Author's Notes: So I am still writing things as I see them. More like an episode per chapter rather than just free form story writing. So like the episodes, there will be small time jumps and things just referred to rather than seeing every little thing played out! I am still planning on a chapter a week.

Chapter Two

They continued to watch, knowing that in the end, this particular champion would have a key part to play in the most dangerous dark plan coming from the Senior Partners. Not just an apocalypse, but THE apocalypse. Time of course, meant nothing to the twins, so they may have missed a few things, not being constantly watching every moment.

Her head tilted to the side as she accessed their reactions. "Was it fear that kept them from speaking?"

He was now a bit more interested. "They fear, what they already know. What they want. If that does not change, there will be painful decisions for them both."

She sighed, "They push, and now with the distance. . . . "

He nodded, "We can not make the decisions for them. We have given the Champion a gift, given them both a gift. Something to help them in the future, and a small reward, if they turn from it, then we will deal with them."

88

Angel headed to the office, nervous movements as he looked around slightly confused. As if he forgot something he then headed out to the kitchen. With a mug in hand, he went back into the office.

Fred looked up from the scroll she and Wes had started working on the night before and watched this. Blinking, a bit confused as to what the problem could be, she looked at Gunn who was just polishing a sword. She jumped and almost got out of her seat when she heard something slam in the office. Gunn looked up and shook his head at her, it was nothing serious. He thought.

Angel came out again with the mug and now stained shirt. "Okay where is the Munroe file? And why can't I find anything?"

Fred got up slowly and slipped past him to the office. Grabbing the file from the filing cabinet she brought it out to him. "Um, it was under G. For the Grynx demon we took out for them. That's, how Cordy files 'em."

Angel sighed and went to take the file then looked down at himself, he'd have to change. Again. "Sorry, I guess, I'm a little on edge. Wes isn't back yet?"

Gunn snickered, "Man chill. She's only gonna be gone for a coupla weeks right? We can handle things while she's away. It's not like she's not comin' back."

Fred backed up a step as she heard a growl build in Angel's chest. Thankfully, they were interrupted as Wes came in the front door. She grinned, "Wes! Oh, do you need some coffee?"

Wes gave a weak smile, "That would be wonderful, thank you Fred."

He was still nervous, she and Gunn were obviously dating now, and he knew he'd have to get over the willowy Texan, it would just take time. He continued down the steps and raised a hand to stop Angel before he could rush over. He saw that look on his face, way too anxious. "She's fine. Cordelia got on the plane safely and she sent me back with several instructions. For everyone."

Gunn didn't miss the pointed look and sighed. He put the sword aside waiting for these instructions. Fred had run off to get the coffee for Wes and handed it off to him before taking a seat next to Gunn, leaning into him easily.

Angel frowned, "Instructions?"

Wes sipped at the coffee with a contented sigh. It had been a long night. First the ballet, then the Groosalug, then the talk with Angel and Lorne, over all he had been lucky to get three hours sleep. He had been right, something had happened with Cordelia. Lorne knew more than he did, but both man and demon had agreed, Angel needed to go speak with her.

"Well, first of all, she wanted me to remind Angel that he will be fixing her door before she returns and keeping an eye on Dennis. It seems she thinks you might have frightened him."

Smiles were hidden all around as Angel frowned and muttered, "She was screaming, I was worried."

"Yes well, it seems she also wanted me to remind you, and I quote, 'any vampire that's been around for, like, 200 years and all scourgey should know the difference between fear screaming, and happy screaming.' End quote." Wes grinned.

Angel sighed and set his mug down running his clean hand through his hair. He had gone to talk to her; mostly about what had happened and that he honestly didn't want her to take time off to be with Groo. He hadn't really gotten the chance, hearing screams he'd almost felt his undead heart start just to stop again. He kicked the door in and growled, full on game face as the big hunk of muscle was joyously spinning her around. He'd thought the worst until she saw him, quickly let go of the Pylean idiot and ran over to him, flinging arms around him. He smiled lightly at the thought. She'd hugged him, kissed his face and given him that smile. The 100 watt grin that was all Cordelia.

Wes cleared his throat and got everyone's attention again. "For Fred, Cordelia asks that you help Angel with the files and the billing. She doesn't trust him with the computers. Gunn, she wanted to remind you that the weapons are not toys and to clean them when you are done. Also to make sure Angel does the same."

Most of her instructions were regarding Angel, he had noticed it during the ride as she rattled off dozens of small things. Not all would he discuss as he knew they already knew those things, and could handle it. Which he had of course reminded her of as they drove.

"Finally, she wants to let us all know that this will be her only film role. She plans on taking down her fan site when the movie is out of theaters and will disappear from the media and spotlight as an enigma."

Angel blinked, "She has a fan site?"

Wes hummed an assent and drank the coffee as he headed to the desk to look over the scroll again.

Fred sighed and looked moon eyed at Gunn. "Isn' it excitin' though? A movie shoot! An' in such an exotic place!"

Gunn smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "I don't know how exotic Hawaii is after all the places and things we've seen, but a vacation sounds good. She's only gonna be gone a couple of weeks right?"

Angel shook off the idea of some people trolling the internet, was trolling the right word? Looking for pictures of Cordelia. He looked at the couple on the couch. "Oh yes, she said it's two weeks, no longer than a month, depending on the weather. I'm, going to go change"

Wes looked up and nodded, caught sight of Gunn and Fred cuddling and looked back down uncomfortably. Grabbing the scroll and notes he headed into the office, sighed and went to the kitchen to get a rag and clean up Angel's mess.

88

Hours later, things had settled into a kind of routine. Fred had taken advantage of Cordy not being around by suggesting tacos instead of Chinese for lunch. They barely had time to finish eating when a call came in. Nothing too big, so Gunn went to take care of it and Fred begged to tag along. Wes hadn't left the scroll since he came back, his mood was dark and he kept mumbling something as he went through other books and back to the scroll.

Angel had fed Connor, who was not in the mood for a nap and he was again, missing Cordy. She could always get him to sleep, and the cranky tired baby was making him feel a bit inept. So he tried the over the shoulder thing and patted his back as he walked to Wes to see if he'd found anything.

Wes simply grumbled. "It's not like reading the classifieds you know."

Angel frowned at the biting remark, what Cordy would most certainly call his puppy dog look as he backed off. Wes set down his glasses and rubbed at his eyes.

"Perhaps I need more coffee. You know she will call when she lands."

He got up to get more coffee and narrowed his eyes slightly at the vampire who was carefully not looking at him.

"So how did the talk go last night?"

Angel winced inwardly. When did everyone become so interested in him and Cor? Of course according to Lorne, they all knew that something was going on. Connor had finally settled, but started whining as Angel moved him from shoulder to cradle arms as if suddenly interested in anything but talking to Wes. He gave a single shoulder shrug.

"It went."

Wes groaned and moved in front of Angel. "You didn't tell her!"

"I told her, I thought Groo should go. And, that I was happy for her. You know, with the movie thing."

"Angel, you are aware that she will be gone, for a month!"

"No! They said, maybe, a month." His attempt to lessen the severity of the situation was seen through immediately.

Wes decided to try another tactic and glanced to Connor then back at Angel, his voice going softer. "Angel, what happened, raises questions. Quite a few, I understand. However, with your past history, and given what did not happen, you do know what she will be thinking."

Angel sighed, "This isn't about Buffy."

He was getting tired of talking about her really. He'd gotten over her. She'd died, and yes come back, but it was different now. Why was he the only one seeing it?

Wes nodded, "Perhaps you should have mentioned that at least."

Angel knew he was right and when Wes left to get more coffee he headed upstairs. Putting Connor to bed and thinking about what he should have said and what he would say when she came back.

By the time Wes came out of the kitchen with his coffee Fred and Gunn were just coming in the front door. His eyes widened at the two and he set the mug down rushing forward, looking the two soaking wet colleagues over to make sure they were uninjured.

"Fred? Gunn? What happened?"

The two looked at each other then burst out laughing. Fred did try to stop as Wes glared at them.

"Sorry Wes. Um, well, it wasn' a demon, it was, uh, bad pipe."

"Yeah, man it made a hell of a lot of noise! We thought somethin' was gonna come after us, the roaring got loud! Then all of a sudden we were swimmin'! It's okay though, we still got paid!"

Wes sighed and let the two pass him to get dried off as he went again back to the scroll. He was making headway he knew, but he had this feeling that he had to hurry. A sort of desperation that spurned him on.

Usually, when he finally cracked something he got a Eureka moment. The others were used to the sudden exclamation. What they hadn't been expecting was swearing. Since when did Wes know that many expletives! Fred came running down the stairs having changed into a summer type dress, Angel coming out just behind her.

"Wes?" Angel was even more surprised by the swearing.

Wes came out nearly shaking. He looked up at the others. "I, I have it. The prophecy."

The look on his face wasn't good and Angel's face darkened. He crossed his arms over his chest. Fred looked a bit frightened as well and as soon as Gunn joined them she reached for his hand.

"Well? What is it English?"

"The father will kill the son."

Wes' words seemed to almost echo through the lobby. Angel knew he didn't need to breathe, but he heard no breathing for a moment. Everyone held their breath and he finally cleared his throat. All eyes were on him.

"You think, this is about me?"

Wes licked his lips, "Well, there is of course more. Information on a Destroyer and champion. The text could be interpreted another way, I suppose, and I admit that I am not one hundred percent sure."

"How sure are you then?"

He lowered his head, his voice soft. "I would say, ninety percent."

Looks were exchanged and as Connor woke up crying, tension filled the room.

"Ah, can go get him."

Angel almost snapped at Fred's offer. "He's my son!"

Gunn pulled her closer as she jumped and Angel stomped upstairs. He didn't believe it. His son was a miracle. Something he never thought he would have. He'd die to protect him, more he'd kill. He picked up the crying infant and tried to calm him, holding him close. Walking back downstairs he glared at them all.

"Find, another, interpretation."

He stopped at the bottom of the stairs wondering why they were all staring at him. He opened his mouth then blinked. He hadn't even noticed it at first, but he had his game face on. And he was hungry. He'd eaten. He spilled some of his mug earlier, so had more. He'd actually been eating quite a bit. Suddenly, he was frightened and he looked at Fred.

"Take him."

His voice had come out hoarse, desperate and it was enough to have Fred moving to take the baby and head to the kitchen to get him a bottle. Gunn walked over to Angel, partly to block him from the kitchen, and partly to offer comfort. He clapped his hand on Angel's shoulder. Wes cleared his throat.

"We'll figure this out, Angel."

"Yeah, we got this champ. You know none of us will let anything happen to the kid."

Angel stepped back and closed his eyes. He calmed himself, having to work at getting his face and hunger to calm. Once he did he opened his eyes again.

"Until we do, I'm going to stay at Cordelia's place. I, promised to keep an eye on it anyway."

"Of course."

Wes nodded and tried for a reassuring smile as Angel turned and rushed upstairs to pack a small bag. He and Gunn exchanged a look and then went their separate ways. Gunn to check on Fred and the baby, and Wes to work on finding something to prove him wrong.

88

No one had told Cordelia when she called excited about her hotel. They simply mentioned that Angel was at her place checking on Dennis, which seemed to please her. They had all hoped they would find something, a mistake of some sort, immediately. Then as the next day dawned, their hope was dimmed, but they stayed optimistic that they would have it all figured out before Cordelia would return. Fred and Gunn took care of Connor and Wes worked on his books, other prophecies, and trying to steer clear of the happy couple playing house with the baby. Angel called often to check in, and when he had gone through the blood at Cordy's place he asked Gunn to bring over the supply there. On a whim, Wes asked Fred to take a sample and test it before he did. Days went on, and it was a week later when they finally heard from Cordelia again.

88

Cordy was shaking. Her visions didn't hurt anymore, but still she could feel what the victims went through, their fear and pain. Both physical and emotional. Knowing the person in the vision made it so much worse. She'd sobbed and cleaned up. She had a scene to shoot, and as soon as she was done, she rushed to her room to call Wes.

"Angel Investigations, Wes here."

She was too upset to even reprimand him from not doing the proper answer.

"Wes! Wes, I, I had a vision. It was Connor."

Wes was immediately alert, standing up and gripping the phone nearly white knuckled. "Cordelia, it's all right, Connor is with Fred, and he's fine. Can you tell me about the vision?"

"He was, crying, screaming. Oh my god Wes, his face was so red, he was so scared! Some man was holding him, cradling him, and one hand around his throat. I, didn't see a face."

"All right, anything else? Any little detail could help."

"Um, I recognized his coat. He was wearing a black duster, just like –"

"Like Angel." Wes' voice fell and he closed his eyes.

"Cordelia, this is very important, when?"

"Um, not soon. A couple of weeks, maybe a month? I'm sorry; I don't know why I got this. It's, so far off, and usually they are immediate warnings."

Wes sighed and sat down. He had some explaining to do.

88

Wes had spent about twenty minutes explaining. Then another twenty apologizing for keeping her out of the loop. Finally he had gotten off the phone and told the others. Gunn had immediately comforted Fred and Wes found it too hard to watch yet again. Instead he grabbed his coat and headed to the apartment to tell Angel. By the time he returned, Fred was holding a sleeping Connor, afraid to put him down, her head on Gunn's shoulder. She sat up quickly as he came back.

"Well?"

"He's gone."

Wes had sounded defeated, and he was feeling it. Usually he had somewhere to look, something to look up, but he'd exhausted his search. Gunn frowned and let go of Fred to stand up.

"Gone? You dusted him?"

Wes looked shocked. "Good lord no! He left the city Gunn. He, doesn't feel it's safe to be near. He said he'd check in, and keep his cell phone on him. In case, we find something."

They all nodded, knowing now, the chances were getting slimmer and slimmer. Fred broke the tension as she stood.

"Maybe, we should all get some sleep. Start fresh in the morning?"

Small mutters and nods, Gunn had been staying at the hotel, and so had Wes. That night however, Wes went back to his apartment. There was an air of not just desperation, but defeat, and it hung heavy in the air.

88

A/N: I know, really sad, but I promise the next chapter will get the blood pumping with excitement again! Our heroes are never down for too long!