Disclaimer: Yadda yadda, I own nothing. Seriously, I think I have one decent piece of jewelry and my ipod.

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

Pairings: Oh eventually, but nothing is every easy.

Feedback: Would love some!

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

Chapter Four

There was little said in this in between place. Two faces watching the mortal world, the champion they rested too many hopes on. Hands tied to what they knew would unfold. They had granted a reward hoping it would strengthen the champion and his team. It had done the opposite. They had entrusted the seer and champion with the light of restoration, and now could only wait, and hope that it had not been too soon. As if on some sort of internal cue, both looked up at each other. He was the first to speak, an ominous sign as his sister had been the one to most heavily support the mortals.

"We must protect the light, regardless. Above the champion himself. The Destroyer, the Light of Restoration, they can not fall into the wrong hands."

A silence, heavy in this light space.

"Agreed. The child will be our priority. Let us hope it does not come to that. There is still time."

"There is."

They looked back and saw their champion, blinded by anger, by love for his child, blinded to all that he needed to protect. To the truth hidden behind false prophecies. Knowing that there was not going to be enough time.

A

Angel knew it was a trap, but it was meant to be obvious. That was part of Holtz plan. He wanted not to just kill Angel, destroy the vampire that took his family, but to hurt him. Angel had seen the change in his eyes in that alley. As he held his son, Holtz changed. Only an idiot would think that meant he realized Angel was different, no all that changed was the way that Holtz planned on hurting him. Making it obvious that he had no choice, that he was walking right into his death. That was what he wanted, but Angel didn't care. All he cared about was getting Connor safe. He had lumped it together in his mind. As he pictured Connor safe, it was in Cordy's arms. Sure, Wes, Fred, even Gunn would have done whatever it took for the child, he knew that, but it was different with Cordelia. When he pictured her now, it was with Connor in her arms, if he was completely honest, it was with him standing there with her.

Driving to the building, at least it wasn't another abandoned warehouse, he let go of that picture. If it took Holtz finally killing him to make sure they were safe, then fine. Powers help him if he hurt Connor though. He parked and grabbed his sword. He had stakes on him, but knew they would be useless. No way was Holtz using vampires. Humans all the way. Whether he knew that was just another weakness of Angel's to exploit or not he didn't know, and right now, he didn't care. There had been blood. On the floor, on Cordy's scrawling hand writing. Someone was bleeding and unless it was Holtz, Angel wasn't happy. There were a handful of guards as soon as he entered the building and as a distraction, they weren't too bad. Angel took them down easily, quickly, and without a hint of remorse. He hadn't killed them, but getting them out of the way was his priority.

Pausing he sniffed, listened, trying to find any sign of his friends, his son. Footsteps, several floors up. He took the stairs two and sometimes three at a time. Finding Holtz was ridiculously easy. His voice had a deep timbre to it that was easily recognizable. He was jumped from behind and he easily flung the man off and into a wall. Lifting his sword to the man's neck he shook his head slowly. He didn't want to have to kill, but for his son, he would. The commotion got attention and the door opened, Holtz standing there with a smile, Justine just behind him.

"Angelus. I had begun to think you wouldn't show."

"Where. Is. My. Son."

Holtz smiled, "Alive. For now. So are the others, although I'm afraid the English man may not have much time. You are a better judge than I. How much blood would you say a man can lose?"

Angel growled and raised his sword, ready to strike Holtz down. He stopped when Justine pulled out a small hand held device. One he was all too familiar with. A baby monitor. He could hear the static, the crying, and Cordelia trying desperately to calm Connor, and by the sounds of it, Fred. His teeth ground and he lowered his arms and dropped the sword, hands coming up defensively.

"Let them go. You've got what you want."

Holtz nodded to the man behind Angel, joined soon by another man. They stood just to the side of him and he looked at each, missing Justine's smile as she pulled out her tazer and stuck him in the neck. The last thing he saw was a blurry face of Holtz and he heard him lean forward to whisper.

"Not just yet I don't."

A

Angel woke up shaking his head, he tried to move his hands and found that his arms were above him and the rattle of chains told him he wasn't getting down any time soon. He hurt, more than he should have. Slowly he lifted his head, blinking to clear his sight, it was still blurry.

"Hold still man. Shit you took a beatin'."

Hands wiped at his face and when he opened his eyes again he could see Gunn, the right side of his face swollen and a blood stained jacket in his hand. He licked at his lips, they felt dry. How long had he been out? Looking around there was no one else in there. Just him and Gunn. . . and Wes. Finally he saw him, crumpled in the corner. Gunn seemed to notice his look and glanced back to Wes before looking at Angel again.

"He's lost a lot of blood. I tied it down, but, I don' know. I haven't seen anyone else. Have you, Fred? Cordy?"

Angel could hear the tremor of fear even though Gunn was doing his level best to keep his voice still. He shook his head. He'd seen no one. A glance down and he saw Gunn was right. It seemed they stripped him to the waist first, bruises, cuts, even what looked like to be a few slowly healing stab wounds. They'd done their level best to get him conscious.

"No one. I, heard them. On a monitor. Cordy was with Connor and Fred. Then, they knocked me out. Where the hell is Holtz? I'm here, he should let everyone go!"

Gunn only had time to give a scoff in answer before the door opened. His eyes went between Wes and Angel, unsure who he could protect, if anyone. Angel gave the nod and he side stepped closer to Wes. Holtz walked in, three guards and Justine with him. He was wiping his hands, blood, off on a towel. Angel's nose wrinkled at the smell, it wasn't fresh, he thought it might just be his own blood, and he prayed it was. He yanked at the chains and Holtz didn't even blink.

"Fine, you got me, you want to torture, kill? I can take it, now let them go!"

Holtz tilted his head, as if thinking about it. He didn't even flinch when Gunn made a go for him, the guards grabbed him. A few punches to his stomach before dropping him and returning to post. Holtz was in a contemplative mood. He had done quite a bit of talking, to all the prisoners. He raised a hand behind him to Justine.

"Bring the others. I want them all here for this."

She looked confused but obeyed and headed out. Gunn held his stomach and when he heard the moan turned to help Wes. Angel looked worried, more worried then he wanted to admit.

"Here for what?"

"You could say, I had a change of heart, Angelus. I'll be honest. My original idea was simple. Kill the demon child, then you, and leave your co conspirators here to die."

The chains rattled again as Angel lunged, but Holtz had judged the distance and was well out of reach. He simply smiled.

"Of course, your Ms Chase had something to say about that. In my day, a woman didn't know quite so many curses."

There was a brief burst of pride. Angel knew Cordy wouldnt' give in. If she yelled at Holtz even half of what he'd gotten for his 'beige period', he was surprised Holtz was still standing.

Justine came back in about then, she shoved Cordy forward. She looked haggard, shadows under her eyes already, face pale, and he could see where she'd been biting her lip. Fred came next, and he remembered that look. From the caves. Her eyes wide, body hunched, she quickly sunk down as far from everyone as possible, against the wall. He cursed. Then went still as Holtz walked over to Cordelia and tried to take Connor. He gave a warning look and she flinched, reluctantly letting him take the baby. She was never more than a foot away, eyes on him.

"He seems, a perfectly normal child doesn't he?"

"He is." Angel bit off. Holtz glanced up and nodded. It was then that Angel noticed what had Cordelia on edge. Holtz was wearing his jacket.

"He didn't like me much at first, did you?"

"That's because he has taste." The words were out before she realized and Cordy got a back handed hit from Justine for it. Holtz held up a hand, as if tempering Justine.

"He's too used to the smell of death. He's gotten better though hasn't he? You know, at first he would scream and cry the moment he was taken away from her. Almost, like she were his mother."

Holtz walked near Angel, his conversation obviously meant for him. Angel lifted eyes to Cordelia. He knew she loved Connor like he was her own. She'd do anything for him. He couldn't think of all of that now, he had to get them out of here. So instead he raised his chin and looked at Holtz.

"You said your plans changed."

"Yes, see I could, just snap his neck here in front of you."

With that his hand closed around Connor's neck. The sleeping boy barely noticed, until they tightened, his face went red and he started screaming, Cordy screamed and rushed forward, it took two men to keep her back. Tears ran down her face as she screamed and Angel had to close his eyes. He couldn't. He couldn't watch him kill his son, couldn't watch Cordy's heart break. His arms vibrated from trying to pull at the chains. Things went quiet and he opened his eyes quickly, afraid it was too late. Cordy was holding Connor, stroking his face and Holtz was grinning at him.

"You son of a -"

"You really are in no position to call names. Don't forget, at least one of your friends is dying right now. I'd think you would want to speed things up."

He waited and Angel looked to Gunn, who's eyes were on Fred's. The pain obvious. Gunn looked at him and shook his head. Wesley was not doing well. Hanging his head he looked at Holtz, quiet, and obedient.

"Much better. You see, your Ms. Chase said something that at first seemed, horribly contrite. Then I started thinking about it. She's right. Killing you, killing your son, your friends. While it's the justice you deserve, it won't bring back my family. Nothing will. Don't look so hopeful, Angelus."

"His name's, Angel."

Cordy's soft voice pulled all eyes to her. Holtz nodded and motioned. Guards left, shuffling Cordy and Connor away. Leaving only Justine and Holtz standing there. Holtz walked as close as he could to Angel and leaned in.

"I'm letting your friends go. I'm even leaving the key for your chains should they wish to save you."

Angel looked confused, but didn't dare say anything.

"I'll have my justice, and my vengeance. You took my family from me, Angelus. So from what I see, you owe me one. I'm taking them. We will go somewhere you will never find us. Live the rest of your days knowing you lost your family and you will never see them again. I will live mine raising my son."

He pulled back and smiled, then turned and left, leaving Justine in the room with them. Angel felt as though his heart was pulled from his chest. He pulled at the chains.

"Holtz! HOLTZ!"

Justine just smiled and dropped a set of keys, kicked them to Gunn and then left. Closing the door behind her.

A

The Hyperion doors opened and Lorne looked up. He had straightened up most of the room, and had been waiting. When he only saw Angel his face fell. Angel looked around, his face closed off, and the dark vibes coming off of him almost made Lorne sick to his stomach. He opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Gunn and Fred. Everyone exchanged looks and moved to the couches to sit. Fred curled up under Gunn's arm, her eyes blinking and slowly, oh so slowly, coming back to some sort of normal. Lorne knew not to ask, not yet, so just grabbed the vodka he'd found and passed a glass to Gunn.

"Wes is in the hospital. They said he lost a lot of blood, but will be fine. They want to keep him a coupla days."

The silence stretched out, eyes flicking to Angel, waiting. He shook his head.

"I was too late."

A

Angel had run, the floor a maze of hallways, rooms, he heard Connor cry and turned again. It was like a nightmare, one he couldn't wake from. By the time he found the right room, he was nearly feral. Growling he beat down the men in his way, and Justine. Unsure if he'd left them alive or not. Busting down the door he saw it. Lights, swirling, the breeze pulling. It was like the world had gone into slow motion. He saw Cordy holding his son, her eyes lifted to see him, lock on his eyes. The air swirled and pulled at her hair. He saw her start crying and before he could reach for her, Holtz shoved and she fell back. Into the lights. He had the odd thought that it was where she belonged, surrounded by light. Then she was gone. He screamed, saw Holtz smile and jump. He ran, but it was gone. Just that fast, it was gone. The residual power lighting the odd symbols drawn on the wall where the portal had been.

He had learned then that he left them alive, the guards, the humans, Justine. Most scattered, some attacked, but he didn't care. He beat at them until all left, some helping others, some crawling. He pinned Justine to the wall, squeezing, watching her face turn mottled, anger and determination to find them. She knew nothing, only a name. Quor'toth. Defeated he turned, and headed back home.

A

A/N: Okay so this story is in my head for another ten chapters or so, it's beating at me so I'm making it slow down so I get it all out! Don't ask me why but this chapter just felt like it had to be told strictly from Angel's POV. Which is why you don't really get anything about what the others went through when he wasnt' around. Don't worry though, more will come out about that later!