Instant Rewind: Chapter 6

Angel awoke the next morning alone. Shift over he put his arm out to feel for Buffy. Feeling the empty space Angel frowned. He had gotten used to waking up with her. His arm brushed her pillow and felt a piece of paper fall from its perch. Rolling over, he picked up the paper and read it.

Morning Lover, I have taken Isabella and Liam to the dentist. Don't forget about your promise to take Isabella to the Aquarium today at noon. No excuses. You owe her that much. Love Buffy.

Angel had nearly forgotten. Today was the day he was going to meet up with Wesley for the first time since waking up in this world. Looking over at the clock the numbers read 10:35 AM. Shit! Angel got up out of bed and half-walked half-ran to the bathroom. Angel had a quick shower, dressed and checked his phone. No calls. Interesting. Normally there is a ton. Putting the phone in his pocket Angel picked up the intercom system and buzzed Harmony.

"Angel's office."

"Hey Harmony its me."

"Oh, hey bossy….er, boss."

"Harmony I am taking Isabella to the aquarium. Hold everything I have for the afternoon or pass it off to Lindsey. No excuses this time." Angel waited while Harmony tried to think up a reason why he had to work but eventually he heard her sigh and he knew that he had won.

"Sure thing boss. Will do." Angel left his room and noticed the half finished pot of coffee on the counter. Pouring a cup he waited for his family to get home. Minutes later the elevator signaled that someone was arriving. Screams and yells erupted from the elevator as it opened. Liam stormed past his father as Buffy called his name.

"Liam! Get back here right now!"

"NO! I HATE you!!!" He yelled at her. The door to his room slammed shut as Buffy entered the kitchen. Putting Isabella down Buffy dropped her back and looked at Angel.

"What happened?" He asked. Buffy put up her hands and let them fall slapping her legs.

"He's 7. Everything is the end of the world when it comes to his mother." She replied. Isabella stood beside her dad and tugged on his jacket. Looking down Angel saw the smile on her face.

"Are we still going to the fish?" She asked. Angel bent down and picked her up.

"We definitely are." He said. Laughing she hugged her dad.

"You're going to be late if you don't go now." Buffy said to him. Angel held Isabella close and looked at his wife.

"Will you be okay?" He asked.

"Yes. Go." Angel leaned forward and kissed her. Isabella giggled beside them causing Angel to laugh. Buffy kissed her on the nose and told her to be good and to do what daddy said. She promised she would. Angel hit the elevator button and descended towards the parking garage.

--

The aquarium was packed. Angel wasn't really sure what to do with a small child but he managed to keep her under control. The visited the numerous stations several times including the tiny petting pond where Isabella was able to stick her finger in a small pool of water containing starfish and numerous other tiny floating creatures. Angel had no idea where he was meeting Wesley. Despite that, he knew that when Wesley was ready to reveal himself he would. It was still early, anyway. Angel held his daughter's hand as she led him through the maze of tanks. She squealed and laughed as she pulled on her dad's arm. Angel laughed with her. Her favourite exhibit was the penguin. He had no idea why she liked them so much; it was something about the way they walked. Angel sat on a bench and let her go up to the side of the habitat.

"Be careful. Not too close." He said to her. She smiled at him and placed her small hands on the railing. As Angel watched her, the world seemed to fade away. What the? Angel watched as the people around him slowed and then stopped all together. A solitary figure came from the shadows. Angel knew who it was.

"Nice trick." He commented. Wesley approached his old friend and smiled back. Sitting down he put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward.

"It works well when you have Wolfram & Hart agents following you around like watchdogs."

"Touché." Angel replied.

"So, you wanted to see me." Wesley said.

"Where do I start?" Angel said.

"The best place to start is the beginning."

"That is much more complicated than you think." Angel replied. He looked at his daughter and saw that she wasn't moving either. Worry played on his face as he looked at her.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine." Wesley replied.

"Wesley, I don't know what is going on. I don't know where I am; I woke up in a world that I know nothing about. I know how that might sound but its true," Angel stood and began to pace the length of the exhibit, "the last thing I remember is LA as a burning hell fire. I don't know this world or anything in it. Its all very confusing."

"LA a burning hell fire?" Wesley questioned.

"Yeah, do you remember when I made the decision to…stay with Wolfram & Hart?"

"When you fired us? And decided to work for the devil?"

"Yeah, that one," Angel gave Wesley a sarcastic look and continued, "Well in my world I didn't stay with them. I declared war. We managed to bring down the largest evil corporation in the world. Of course the downside to this war was that LA fell into well, hell. What I remember before waking up here was following a demon then getting hit on the head, hard, then waking up in bed with…Buffy." Wesley stared helplessly at his old friend and said nothing.

"Have you checked with the Wolfram & Hart archives?" Wes asked.

"Yeah, several times. I even had the Healers and several others pick through my brain to find out if the high and mighty had done something to me."

"And?"

"Nothing. Its like they have no idea this has happened at all. I know you have absolutely no reason to believe me considering what Buffy has told me that I've done, but I swear to you, I'm not this Angel. I'm not the man that you all hate." Angel sat down again and leaned forward to match Wesley's stance.

"I can see that. For one, our Angel would never have met with me. Things are rather tense between us all…considering we interfere a little bit too much."

"How so? You save people, I apparently destroy them." Angel rubbed his temples and turned to face Wesley. Wesley debated only for a moment to tell Angel what he had discovered.

"We are the reason they tried to kill you. We killed the delegate."

"Makes sense. I figured as much."

"If you knew…"

"I didn't know for sure, but if I had been working with you I would have done the same thing. Look the merger may seem like a bad idea, but really, it will do a lot of good…" Angel didn't know what more to say after that. He wasn't even sure if he believed it himself but if there was one thing he had figured out while here, it was that he had to finish what this Angel had started.

"What do you want from me?" Wesley asked.

"I need to know how I got here, why I'm here. I can't go to Wolfram & Hart with this; you know how they'll treat it. And with Buffy and the kids…I can't risk that. I know I don't deserve your help, but I'm asking as a favour, for old times sake."

"I'm not sure if I can help you…" Wesley saw the look of desperation on his friends face and made up his mind, "But I'll try. The team won't like this you know."

"Don't tell them."

"Its not that easy…it's hard to lie to them."

"I have faith in you." Angel said. Wesley smiled and stood.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you." Angel replied. Wesley moved away from Angel and as he slipped into the shadows the spell he had cast dropped and slowly the world around him came back to life. Isabella ran up to him laughing and leapt into his arms. Angel laughed when she hit him in the chest and knocked some of the air out of him. He kissed the top of her head and hugged her tight. He wasn't sure if he had done the right thing, but he knew that he didn't belong here. Despite how much he wanted to stay.

--

Angel arrived back at the office just in time for dinner. The elevator opened and Isabella bounded out laughing. Her laugh was infectious; Angel smiled as he stepped off the elevator. The TV was on and Liam was sitting watching some program he was sure that he wouldn't approve of. Buffy was in the kitchen making dinner.

"Mommy! Look what daddy got me!" She held up her stuffed penguin as Buffy scooped her up and smiled at her.

"Wow. Look at that. Did you have a good time?" She asked. Bella nodded and hugged her mom. Buffy put her down and Bella moved to the living room and sat next to her brother. Angel stood watching and smiled.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing." Angel moved towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Pulling her close Angel kissed her lightly. Buffy sighed into him and leaned against his chest.

"So, how did it go?" She asked.

"Great. He said he would look into it."

"Good. That's something right?" Buffy said.

"Yeah." Angel replied. "Can I help with anything?" Buffy moved away from him and smiled.

"No. I'm pretty much done." She said giving her dinner one final stir. Angel opened the fridge and took out a beer. Cracking it, he leaned against the counter and took a swig.

"Did you find out what was bothering Liam?" He asked.

"I did. He is being bullied at school. He won't go to the teachers and he won't let me say anything. He wants to handle it on his own, like his dad."

"I see. Well maybe I should have a talk with him about that." He said.

"That might be a good idea. Even heroes need help." Buffy called Liam and Bella to the table and put dinner one plates. They ate in silence as Angel watched his son. What am I going to say? He asked himself. He thought back to when he was a boy and tried to imagine his own father having this kind of conversation with him. God, he would probably tell me I'm weak and should fight back. That would be something that bastard would say. No, Angel couldn't do that. He knew from years of experience that violence didn't solve anything, despite its results. Talking was the best way to deal with unwanted attention. Standing up for yourself was important; words solved much more than violence. His present situation with the merger was a prime example. Look what violence had done: an assassination attempt. And yet, with words he was able to accomplish a lot more. Angel finished his dinner and helped Buffy clear up the dishes. When they were finished Angel moved towards his study and closed the door. As Angel went through the merger files a knock came at the door. Angel looked up and saw Liam standing at the door.

"Mom said you wanted to see me." He said. Liam came into the study and closed the door. Angel moved out from behind his desk and smiled. Liam sat down on the large couch and Angel sat next to him. As he looked at the young boy he realized that he never got this with Connor; he was running blind.

"Mom told me that there are some problems at school."

"It's fine. I can handle it." Angel saw in his eyes that his son was lying.

"I'm sure you can."

"Then why are we talking about it?" Liam asked.

"Okay I get that I have not been a very good dad lately. I'm for that I am truly sorry. But I'm trying. So here goes: there are better ways to solve things than through violence."

"What did mom tell you?" Liam asked.

"That you are being bullied." Angel said. Liam lowered his head and tried to hold back tears.

"Yeah, but I'm not being violent. I promise dad. I haven't gotten into any trouble."

"I believe you."

"I try really hard you know, to not say anything. But that just gets me beat up. We get told in school to stand up against bullying, even the people on TV tell you that, but when I try it, it doesn't work."

"Why don't you try telling someone?" Angel suggested.

"Because that would make me a tattle tail." Liam stated. Tears fell down his face as he said it. Liam didn't look at his dad.

"Telling someone doesn't make you a tattle tail. It makes you brave."

"How?"

"Because only a brave person would say when they needed help."

"You don't."

"I'm a bad example," Angel said leaning forward, "Even I need help. I'm not a brave person, Liam. It's because I don't ask for help that I'm not brave. It takes real courage to admit that you need help. It doesn't make you a tattle tail despite what others may think. Its not fair that you have to go through this alone."

"I'm not the only one that gets bullied by this person."

"Well, if that is the case, stand up together. You have strength in numbers. You need that support. Use your words, together. One voice can get lost in the crowd, but several voices screaming together…now that you can hear." Angel put a hand on his sons shoulder and Liam looked up, "If you all work together then what is the bully going to do?"

"I don't know."

"Back down. The thing about bullies, they are no good when it comes to more than one. They are stronger only because you make him stronger by not standing up. Your school is right about standing up; sometimes you just need the extra help to do it. Does that make sense?" Angel asked.

"Yes, dad."

"Good. I'm proud of you no matter what you choose to do, but please, use words not your hands."

"I promise dad."

"Good, now go do your homework and get ready for bed." Liam hugged his dad.

"I love you dad." He said. Angel smiled and hugged him tighter.

"I love you too, son." Liam left Angel alone in his study. For a long time Angel didn't get up. When was the last time this Angel had done that? Angel wondered if he wasn't meant to be here for more than just fixing Wolfram & Hart. Maybe he was meant to be here for much more. Slowly Angel stood and a thought struck him. Meant to do more…holy shit. That was it! He hadn't thought of it until now. Moving back to his desk, Angel picked up the phone and directly dialed Wesley. He wasn't sure if Wes would be the one to answer the phone but he at to at least assume it would be him. The phone rang four times before it was picked up.

"CW Investigations how can I help you?"

"Wesley!" Angel could hear the silence on the other end. Then he heard shuffling and the sound of a door closing.

"What you doing calling me here?" He demanded.

"I'm sorry, look I think I've figured something out."

"What is that?" Wesley sounded irritated but at the moment Angel didn't really care.

"Look I need you to meet me at the Post Office."

"What? The Post Office, why?" Wes asked.

"Just meet me there in an hour or so. I'll make sure everyone is asleep before I meet you. But I need you to bring a couple of things with you." Angel gave him the list of ingredients he needed. He heard Wesley writing it down and then a long sigh.

"Angel, I don't know about this…"

"Trust me, for once Wes, please. I will explain everything. Just meet me there in about an hour." Angel hung up the phone and left his office. It had been a long time since he had been to see them. But there was just too much about this that didn't make any sense. There had to be more. Angel walked down to his kid's rooms and watched as Buffy read them a story. Softly he knocked on the door.

"I need to go out for bit."

"Where too?" Buffy asked him.

"I'll tell you later. I promise. I'll be back later." Angel's eyes pleaded with her not to argue and press him. Smiling, she understood.

"Okay." Angel said good night and then hurried towards the elevator. The book had to still be in the archives. Angel hit the elevator button for the archival rooms and went down. Signing in, Angel proceeded to the Spells and Incantations section. It took him no time to find the book that he had used all those years ago. Slipping it off the shelf Angel walked back out and went back up to the main levels of Wolfram & Hart. All he needed now was an offering. Lindsey was standing at the main desk when Angel came off the elevator.

"Boss! Hey!" Angel walked past Lindsey to his office.

"Not right now. I have to be somewhere and I don't want to be followed." Lindsey followed him into his office and waited while Angel looked at the selection of artifacts behind his desk.

"Okay, you want to tell me where you are going?" He asked.

"Nope. You are just going to have to trust me." Angel said simply selecting a golden dagger.

"That is easier said then done. You should be going out there alone."

"Lindsey," Angel turned to face him determination on his face, "If I find that anyone is following me, I will kill him or her. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I get it. But please, don't die."

"I won't." Angel left the offices of Wolfram & Hart speeding towards his destination. Angel took numerous back streets and several turnoffs to make sure that no one was following him. Satisfied that Lindsey had kept his word, Angel doubled back and headed towards the Post Office. The last time he was here was when he had found the Oracles dead because of him. I wonder whom've they got here now. Angel thought as he parked his car and moved towards the front entrance. Wesley was waiting there, early just like him, and held up his hands.

"This is risky you know."

"Were you followed?" Angel asked.

"No. Were you?"

"No." Angel moved away from him and left the building. Wesley followed.

"Where are we going?" He asked. Angel didn't say anything as he searched for the hidden entrance. Finding it, Angel rapped a series of knocks on the wall and the door materialized in front of him. Angel went through the door, reluctantly Wesley followed. The dark corridor progressed for several feet before they came to another door. Angel recited a Latin phrase and the door opened and the torches surrounding the oval room erupted. Angel walked to the center of the room and motioned for Wesley to follow. Once beyond the threshold the door closed behind him.

"Where are we?" Wes asked.

"It occurred to me earlier that maybe this wasn't Wolfram & Hart's doing at all. That maybe this had to do with something more powerful."

"More powerful than the Senior Partners?" Wesley asked.

"Yes. This is a portal to the Oracles. The Oracles are the messengers for the Powers that Be."

"I remember that quiet well, Angel."

"Look, in my world they are dead. They are no longer in existence. But here, here they must be alive. This entire world is a world of opposites. So my theory is that they are still here communicating with the Powers."

"Good assumption." Wesley moved towards him with the prepared ingredients.

"I'm thinking they know what's going one with me and why I'm here. So I'm about to go and ask them to find out." Wesley prepared the alter and recited the incantation. He set the contents on fire and waited for the door to open. Blinding white light filled the room. Angel moved towards it and turned back to Wesley.

"Wish me luck."

"Good luck." Wesley smiled at his friend and watched him enter. A moment later, he was gone and Wesley was alone.