A/N: So by now you've read the disclaimers and all of that so I figure seven chapters, I can phase those out. Now onto the notes! I had outlines done of each chapter up through the season and then starting the next season. There have been small changes as I get into things but for the most part it's coming along well! I may in the future, once I get all of this out of my head, go back and flesh out the writing more. We are at chapter seven and there are ten total in this season so it's coming to a close! I will be working on the next season where we see even more crossover goodness! So big thanks again to all my reviewers and I hope to get more out to you!

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Chapter Seven

"This is not as it was to happen."

"We can not interfere."

Two sets of eyes met over the water.

"That was different."

"It always is."

"The vision we had planned for them is still possible."

"With a few alterations."

"It is an important test for the champion."

"It was meant to be a gift."

"That too . . . "

AA

Hours had passed. Angel had finally set Connor down in his crib, and hovered over it watching. After the commotion died down, Lorne had retreated, hoping to not see the mess as he walked to the kitchen for a drink. Scotch in hand he peeked in the door before sliding into the room.

"How is the little man?"

Angel didn't look up, his eyes stuck on the sleeping toddler. The thought that he would blink and the boy would be gone again, he'd move and he'd disappear. His fingers were wrapped around the bar of the crib as though it were his life line.

"Sleeping."

"Might not be a bad idea for you to get some rest as well, Angel cakes."

"Are they back yet?"

Lorne sighed and took a seat in the vacated chair rather than the bed. His hand a bit too shaky as he raised his glass for another drink.

"Not yet, there's, less mess than I thought. I think Holtz took his with him."

Angel's head snapped up to listen but he didn't move from his spot as the door opened. He could hear the steps on the stairs, tired and slow, but he still knew there were only two sets, and one belonged to Fred. His guess was the other was Gunn. The light knock at the door was answered by Lorne who stood and looked between the two as they entered. Gunn's arm around Fred, his eyes still distant. Fred looked to Angel but he still stared at the crib, it was Lorne who nodded.

"She, lost a lot o' blood. Um, they had to, to take the baby early. It's a girl."

She managed a small smile and Lorne mirrored it. Angel's voice was low, and cold.

"What happened?"

Gunn narrowed his eyes at Angel and tightened his grip on Fred before taking over.

"You were there man. He was gonna kill the kid, so she threw him. Got the pointy end of the dagger instead. We all kind of went nuts then. Wesley was tryin' to get Barbie to, to crawl to him so he could pull her through. Fred here, she shot him."

Fred shook and silent tears ran down her face. Lorne patted her shoulder.

"You did fine, saved their life, Fred."

"Sure you did, girl. If he wasn't dead I'd have shot him again myself."

Angel's hands tightened on the bar but he still didn't turn.

"Cordy?"

"She's, asleep. Wes wouldn't leave her, he asked us to bring him a clean shirt so she doesn't, so she isn't. . . "

Fred turned into Gunn's chest and Gunn stared at the back of Angel's head. How could he be so emotionless?

"She came outta surgery fine, but they wanted to sedate her. Baby seems good too. Ya know, since you're asking and all. Anyway, just came back to drop off Fred, I'm gonna bring English his stuff."

Fred clung to his shirt and looked up at him.

"You're comin' back tonight right? I, I was kinda hopin'. . . "

"Naw, sorry, I gotta, check in with the crew."

He kissed her forehead and looked away before he saw the disappointment in her eyes. He looked to Angel and still the man didn't move so he shook his head and led Fred out of the room. Angel finally looked up and turned to them all and everyone froze. Hoping he'd ask, or want to do something. Angel looked at all of them, but then settled on Gunn. He'd know, he'd understand.

"With, Darla and Drusilla in town, I pushed you all away. I thought it was he best thing at the time, keep you all safe. You all proved me wrong. We are stronger as a team. Cordelia. . . she has a baby now, a family, and she's been hurt more than anyone because of this, because of me."

Lorne and Gunn at least saw where this was going and both were shaking their heads. Lorne stepped towards Angel but he lifted a hand to ward them off.

"She was stuck in a hell dimension and there's no telling what Holtz did to her. He at least. . . "

Lips pressed together he shook his head and turned back to look at Connor again.

"She protected Connor, and I'll never be able to thank her for that. Now she has to deal with surgery and raising his child. She's done enough. Tell Wes to make sure she's taken care of. I, don't want her back here."

Stunned into silence, Fred was the first to react, stepping out of Gunn's arms and heading towards Angel.

"But, that's not true! You can't mean that! She just had y-"

Lorne stopped her and shuffled her out of the room.

"Now's not the best time cupcake. We'll, give the champ some time. He, just needs to take it all in."

He glanced back to the room and Fred nodded, Gunn stomped down the stairs and left. Lorne silently prayed to the powers for some intervention and had no idea that they already had, several times. All he could do was hope that he could edge Angel towards the truth. In the morning.

AA

Wes had sat by her bed all night. When his clothes arrived the nursing staff let him use a shower to change, he reluctantly washed up and did so, worried he'd miss her waking. He didn't. Eventually he fell asleep in the chair next to the bed. Still mulling over Gunn's short reply and Angel's orders. Even if he just needed time, Cordelia would be asking. He knew this and didn't know how to explain to the woman without causing more pain. He jerked to wake when he heard a moan. Leaning forward he grabbed her hand to let her know he was there and closed his eyes in worry when she finally started opening her eyes.

"Angel?"

Eyes clearing of the drug induced haziness she grabbed for her stomach and went to sit up, groaned in pain and Wesley got up to sit on the edge of the bed and push her gently back down.

"Easy now. The baby is fine. She's a bit early but she's fine. You had a punctured lung and some bleeding. A lot of bleeding actually. You need to rest."

Relaxing back into the pillows she nodded before she looked at his face. Realized where she was. Confusion and fear ran across her features and Wesley tried for a smile and an explanation. It didnt' take long, as he only gave an overview and said nothing about the fear or blood that was forever burned into his mind. By the end her eyes were brimming with tears and she was chewing at her bottom lip.

"But Connor is all right?"

"Of course."

"But Angel -"

"Isn't coming."

She nodded. She'd thought about this, of course. The idea that she'd somehow get home. Some day. That she'd be able to give Angel his son back, and his reaction to her. To what she'd done to survive, to protect Connor and herself. Finally the tears slid down her face.

"It's because of the baby isn't it?"

"That, is most likely part of it. He, he thinks it's Holtz' child but we believe. . . "

"It's not. I know. I figured out after a week. I wasn't feeling well and, well there's signs. I couldn't figure it out then I thought back and remembered the ballet, and well. . . "

"I'm sure once Angel realizes-"

"No! I, I don't want you telling him. I don't want anyone telling him."

Off of Wesley's confused look she sighed and motioned to the bed controls, she wanted to sit up, at least a little. Once in position she wiped her face clear of tears and took a breathe, a small one, and winced. Putting back on her no nonsense look.

"Look, Wesley, I love Angel, I do. I love Connor too. I love him like he's mine, and it doesn't matter to me who his mother is. The first time I saw him I knew it didn't matter. Not to me, but, it matters to Angel. If he can't see past Holtz, not even for a baby that didn't do anything other than be born, then it doesn't matter. It's fine. She'll be fine, I'll be fine. I can do this."

He saw her lip tremble and shook his head squeezing her hand.

"No, we can do this. You aren't alone Cordelia."

Off her sob and fresh tears he leaned forward to gently hold her.

"You know, I was in a hospital before like this. After, after Xander kind of dumped me. Rebar through the stomach, no one around. Left alone, I thought I couldn't get lower than that. Then I cam here and met Angel again, and Doyle, then you and Gunn. I thought things were better, but then he had to fire us! And sleep with Darla of all people. I have to admit, that was a new low. I already knew, I loved him and it hurt so much Wes. But this. . "

He winced and stroked her hair. They were all upset to find out how far down Angel had gotten, but no one could deny the hurt Cordelia felt. It was the first time they all realized the two cared for each other as more than friends. He loosened his arms as she sat back, and wiped at her face again, mouth twisted in pain.

"Don't tell him. Promise me."

"I promise Cordelia. I'm, rather good at keeping secrets."

She looked over his face then her own softened and she took his hands in hers.

"I'm sorry, I'm such an idiot. Talking about all my problems when you've had pretty much the same ones. Who would have thought we'd have so much in common?"

She tried for a smile but only got a confused look in return. Finally she rolled her eyes.

"The scoobies pretty much dumped you too, you ended up in LA too, Angel fired you too, and you fell in love with someone that is more interested in someone else too. Duh! Fred?"

A blush crept up and he nodded dumbly.

"How did you . . "

"Hey, I may be pretty banged up and, well a mother now as weird as that is, but it's still me. I know Wes."

He smiled sadly and nodded, then gave a dry chuckle.

"Of course you do. Well then, I guess we make quite the pair. And you know I will be there for you Cordelia, you and. . . oh, you uh, haven't picked out names yet have you? I doubt they want to keep calling her the Chase baby."

"Well, Allen is a boy's name so um, Frances can be a girl right? I want to call her, Frances."

It wasn't the kind of name you expected from Cordelia but as soon as it dawned on Wesley why he smiled.

"It's a lovely name. Frances it is."

AA

Gunn checked over the weapons and shook his head.

"This ain't gonna do it. Ya'll need better stuff."

"Yeah well what do you care? Took off for the big leagues right? Busy with your vampire boss? Man if you were gonna sell out you could've at least sold out for some cash or somethin'. Made it better around here."

Gunn frowned, he'd been trying to help doing what he could and was still feeling the pull of not belonging in either place. He'd have to make a decision soon on where he belonged. He couldn't keep this up, he wasn't sleeping and Fred was feeling him get farther away. He glanced around at the crew and nodded.

"I'm workin' on it."