Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: It's been kinda long since the last update, but this one was pretty hard to write. Plus my life's a royal bitch. I know I'm sayin' this over and over again but it went down and ain't looking up. So, I just hope you enjoy it. Oh, and thanks to everyone who reviewed this. Love ya!
Chapter Eight: Family Tree
''So what you're sayin' is that Angel is possesed by a demon with Illyria's power?'' Faith asked.
They were all in lobby. Spike's arrival was a surprise for everyone. He got that much out before he was swamped by questions.
''Yeah, pretty much. Look, you got any blood here?'' Vampire was sitting on a sofa, looking at the group. Four people, minus he and Amy. Slayer was with two other women whose names Spike couldn't yet remember in the kitchen, probably eating.
''Uhm, no. Connor and Gunn went for some, but they hadn't come back yet.'' Lorne said.
''Wait, what? Gunn's here?'' Spike paid him his full attention now.
''Yeah, few days now.'' Faith carefully said. Lorne realized he didn't know that Gunn was a vampire.
''Why would you guys even go for blood?'' It suddenly struck Spike. They had no reason, except maybe if one of them was a vampire. Or something else.
Faith just looked at Lorne. She wasn't really best friends with either one of them.
''It's... Look, Gunn's... he's a vampire.'' Lorne said. Spike laughed, but when he realized that none of them were sharing his humor, his smile died. ''You're serious. How?''
''He was turned during the battle.''
Vampire nodded his head. ''We gotta kill him.''
''No.'' Faith objected.
''He is a vampire. Maybe you haven't heard, but when that happens people change. He's not Gunn anymore.'' Spike stood up.
''You're right. He's not. But he is with us, helping us. You got no right to decide who is worth a second chance.'' Slayer stared at him. ''He doesn't deserve to be damned.''
''He already is.'' Vampire held her stare.
''So are we.''
Spike sighed. ''Okay, aight. I getcha.''
''Good.''
''Can we move on? We got more important things to take care of.'' Lorne waved his hands.
''Yeah. Angel and Illyria.''
''Where is she?'' Faith asked.
''Don't know. Told us to run and went kamikaze on Angel.'' Spike said.
''So if 'Angel'...'' she quoted the name. ''Has Illyria's power, how did you guys took it away from her?''
''I went over it already.'' Spike said before Lorne could. ''Some gun thing we got through Wolfram & Hart's resources. No way we'll get one now. We need to think of a way to kill him.''
''No.'' Faith walked to him. ''We're not, under any circumstances, killing Angel.''
''That's what Angel would want.'' Karaoke demon said.
''I said no.''
''Come on, I know you two have some sacred bond, the 'Oh my God, you saved me from the big bad myself, I'm never gonna pay you back and I'll spent all my life trying to fix the evil I've done' thing. You can't. You know what? Right now Angel is the evil. So suck it up 'cuz we ain't gonna play nice.'' Spike circled her. ''If the situation would be reversed, he'd do the same thing.''
''Maybe. But we're gonna try every possible way before... before we even think of killing Angel. 'Sides, how you gonna do it?'' Faith stood her ground.
''Huh.'' Spike was taken aback. ''The Scythe. Angel has it. We jus' need to find it.''
''The Scythe? How did he... Buffy's here?'' Faith asked.
''Nah. Outside the city, probably.''
''Okay then, it's a plan.'' Lorne clapped his hands.
''No, not yet.'' Faith sat down on the stairs. ''Tell me one thing, how are we supposed to find Angel or The Scythe? Will it even work?''
''I thought it could kill everything in slayer's hands.''
***B***B***
''Uhm, not exactly.''
''What exactly means not exactly?'' Rain raised her eyebrows. Amy bit her lip. ''Faith is an... original, you might say. She was chosen the traditional way. Me? I was made by a spell.''
''Oh.''
''You don't sound too enthusiastic.'' Brunette noticed.
''Are you kidding? What's good about that?'' Amy asked.
''Well, you're strong. You have the power.'' Katie said. ''Isn't that good?''
''Sure it's great. If I wanted this.'' Slayer snatched another sandwich.
''You don't? It's an opportunity to-''
''Die?'' Amy cut Rain off. ''I was a normal girl from Montana. Now I'm a slayer trapped in a city I never even wanted to see, with hundreds if not thousands of demons. I'm just peachy.''
''See your point.'' Katie said after a moment of silence. ''I'd be pissed too.''
''I left my family, my boyfriend. I left everything behind. For what?'' Amy sighed. ''Enough about me. How did you two ended up here?''
Rain and Katie exchanged looks. ''Long story. We were lucky, I guess. Connor pretty much saved us.''
''Yeah, we kinda owe him.'' Katie said.
''Who's Connor?'' Amy asked.
''You don't... Of course you don't know him. He's with Gunn, they went to search for this Illyria and to the hospital, so they'll be back pretty soon.'' Rain explained.
''Look's like we're all fucked.'' Amy muttered. She saw the look that passed between the two women. ''I promise I'll do anything to get us the hell out of here.''
''We all.'' Blonde smiled.
Slayer ended her meal and patted herself on the stomach. ''You guys have a shower around? Or some clean clothes?''
Rain looked her over. ''You're kinda my size, so we'll figure something out. Shower's cold, though.''
''Wouldn't want it any other way.'' Amy said sarcastically.
***B***B***
Faith looked over her shoulder when she heard footsteps coming from the basement. ''Looks like they made it back.''
Spike crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Door opened and few seconds later two figures appeared.
''Took ya long enough. What... the hell happened to you?'' Faith asked when she saw them. They were both beaten up, bloody and tired. Connor was still kind of supporting Gunn. Vampire sat down heavily, the bag they brought landed on the floor. None of them noticed Spike.
''You want the short version?'' he asked.
''No.'' Faith looked at them expectantly.
''Give me a break. I was beaten by some orc-ish demons, stabbed, almost staked by some lunatic slayers and you want me to write you a report?'' Gunn complained.
''Spike.'' Connor spoke up. Every pair of eyes rested on vampire. ''Hi Charlie boy.''
''Good to see you man. I'd hug you, but...'' Gunn gestured to his bloodied clothes.
''Uh-huh.''
''What slayers?'' Faith asked.
''We found dead slayers in the hospital.'' Connor began. ''Turns out they weren't quite dead yet.''
''Zombies?'' Spike joined the conversation.
''We thought so, until they started to beat the crap out of us.''
''What were they?''
''We don't know. Something new.'' Gunn said.
''You got blood in this bag?'' Spike looked at it hungrily.
''Yup. We gotta freeze it or it won't stay good for long.''
Blond vampire walked over and got himself a dinner.
''When the barrier went up everything fried. Ain't working no more.'' Faith said.
''Hospital had power. Which means the emergency generator worked. We have to fix the power here and we'll have everything back.'' Gunn explained.
Spike looked through the bag. ''That ain't gonna last long. We'll have to visit a blood bank in some time.''
''Yeah, you do that.'' Connor rolled his eyes. Damn vampires, only cared about blood. He was tired as hell and bruised all over. He just wanted to rest. ''Okay guys, I'm going to bed. See ya in the morning.''
''Wait, we should talk first.'' Faith said.
''Look, whatever it is, it can wait till tomorrow. World's not gonna end, right?'' Connor muttered the last part and went upstairs.
Brunette turned to Gunn, only to see him fast asleep. She sighed.
***B***B***
She lost the fight. Currently Illyria was in the middle of a boxing ring, unable to leave. She was bound to Angel and without his say so or an interference, she would stay here. Door to the big hall opened and Angel walked in. He slowly neared her, before stopping just outside the ring. They both watched each other in silence.
''What are you still doing here?'' she asked first.
''What do you mean?'' he asked back.
''Why do you still stay inside the city? I'm no longer a threat to you.'' Illyria stood still in the middle.
''Oh, that. Well... I'm not ready yet.'' Angel said.
Illyria cocked her head. Angel smirked. ''You of all demons should know that conquering a world isn't a piece of cake. I need my army.''
''You already have one.'' She said.
''No. What I got is a bunch... a lot, really, mindless bloodthirsty demons. I don't need blunt force.'' He confessed.
''You're gathering your generals.'' She realized.
''Catching on, are we?'' Angel walked in circles around the ring.
''Why didn't you kill all of the humans? You know they're still here.'' Illyria moved closer to the lines separating her from Angel.
''Yes, I do. Had fun with slayers, though. They put a good fight, but...'' he shrugged. ''Bringing all of my lieutenants here will take some time. I want to have fun with them.''
''Fun?''
''I have all memories of Angel. Maybe I'll be able to bring the slayer back to the darkness. His son to mental breakdown. Radioactive vamp back to his bloody days.'' Angel shuddered. ''I mean, what's wrong with him? That color... ugh.''
''You're lying.'' She kneeled down. ''There is something you're not telling.''
''You picked up on that? Gotta work on my... poker face is it? I'm still kinda blurry about human expressions.'' Angel sat down in one of the seats. ''But yes, indeed I have something else here. Someone to find.''
''Who?''
''You honestly think I'm gonna tell you? You won't tell anyone, that I'm sure, but...'' he trailed off. ''She came here, I know it. I'm gonna find her.''
''Long lost love?'' Illyria smirked, like the many times she saw Spike do it.
''Close. I loved her, that's true.'' Angel said. ''Enough for one time. I got things to take care of.'' He got up and left the hall, leaving Illyria alone.
***B***B***
They all gathered in the lobby, after the breakfast. Now everyone was here, they had to come up with some kind of plan. Course of action.
Rain, Amy and Katie were mostly silent, as they had nothing to say about it.
''Look I don't like it either, but we gotta do something.'' Spike said.
''Not this.''
There was another way. Spike remembered Illyria's words. If she dies, her power dies with her. That's the reason she's probably still alive. They needed to find her. But could he kill her? She became his friend. Kill her to kill Angel?
''There is one more thing we could try. Illyria.'' He voiced his thoughts.
''What about her?'' Gunn asked.
''She's an Old One. She must know other ways to deal with Angel.''
''She fought him to let you escape. She's dead, you said it yourself.'' Lorne quipped.
''Uhm, not quite.'' Spike bit his lip.
''You wanna elaborate?'' Faith asked after few moments of silence.
''If she dies, then he power he got from her goes...'' he waved his hand and whistled.
''So we find her and kill her.'' Faith said.
''No.''
''Why not?''
''Because I say so.'' Spike looked Faith straight in the eye. ''You don't want to kill Angel? Great, but we're not killing Illyria.''
''Fine.''
''Then what do we do?'' Connor, who was silent all this time, asked. They were talking about killing his father. He couldn't decide whether he was with Spike or Faith on this one.
''Find The Scythe. If what you guys are saying is true we need it.'' Lorne said.
''Any ideas where it might be?'' Gunn stood up. ''Guys, I'll go to the basement, maybe I'll be able to fix some power around here.''
''I'm with you.'' Connor stood up as well. ''We need hot water.''
''What could you possibly know about electricity? Or pipes?'' Lorne scrunched his eyes.
''I got myself hot water back at the... attic.'' he said and both he and Gunn went to the basement.
''He lived in an attic?'' Spike asked.
''Long story.'' Lorne dismissed it.
''Okay, you plan and we'll go up.'' Rain said and she, Amy and Katie went just there.
''Awesome.'' Said Faith without enthusiasm.
''Please tell me we'll figure something out, instead of walking through the bloody city, checking every place out.'' Spike moaned.
''Better think then. Or it'll be you checking those places out.'' Faith smirked.
***B***B***
Amy ducked yet another fist coming at her. She caught another and send Katie right into Rain, both of them falling down. Brunette got up first and attacked the slayer. She blocked the hits and eventually pushed Rain back. Katie ran at her, but Amy flipped her over her back. Rain came at her again and this time she parred her fist, sneaked behind her and put her arm around her neck, while stepping on Katie's throat. They struggled for few seconds.
''Okay, we give.'' Rain panted. Amy released her and stepped off Katie, sitting on the mattress beside her.
''Wasn't so bad.'' she commented.
''Gee, thanks.'' Blonde was still laying down.
''I'll train you the best I can, but maybe you should ask Faith. She's a better fighter.'' Slayer shrugged.
Rain took three bottles of water and handed each woman one. ''That was the plan, but she's kinda busy right now. Besides you beat us, without actually hitting either one of us. I'd say you're good enough.''
Amy smiled. ''I wish.''
''Don't think so low of yourself. You're the only one who survived.'' Katie said, while trying to open her bottle.
***B***B***
Connor put his hand under the shower. Then he carefully let the water run. Freezing cold at first, but slowly it became hotter. He smiled to himself. That's more like it. He went to the lobby to see Gunn flicking on the lamp. Light spread through the space.
They both smiled at each other. ''So, who wants the hot shower first?'' he asked.
Four women simultaneously ran up the stairs. Four men laughed at the sight.
''Fridge is working. I put the blood in.'' Gunn told Spike. Vampire smiled cheerfully.
''So, what's the plan?'' Connor looked at Lorne.
''We figured that we'd capture a demon and interrogate him.'' Lorne said.
''That's the plan?'' Gunn asked disbelievingly.
Demon sighed. ''We're literally out of options. Small steps.''
''Who's going to bring us a toy?'' Gunn sat down.
''Which one of you is in a better shape?'' Spike asked.
''Him.'' Both Connor and Gunn pointed at one another.
''Faith volunteered, Spike with her. If Faith's going then Amy has to stay. Two people on streets is not quite enough, which the two of you proved yesterday. So...'' Lorne trailed off suggestively.
''Why can't you go?'' Connor suddenly turned to him.
''Yeah.'' Gunn immediately agreed. ''You should go.''
Lorne shook his head. ''I'm not a fighter cupcakes.''
''We got any chains?''
''Huh?''
Gunn looked around ''Where are the chains we used on Angelus? If we're gonna bring some demon here, I'd better take some safety precautions.''
''They'll in the basement. So which one of you?'' Lorne answered.
Gunn and Connor stared at each other. ''Rock, paper, scissors?''
''Come on, I took a sword to my gut for you.'' Black vampire whined.
Connor raised his eyebrows. Gunn sighed.
***B***B***
By the time Faith showered, it was already dark so they decided to wait one more day before capturing a demon. Currently she was sitting in Angel's office, which was cleaned earlier. Small lamp was on, giving just enough light for brunette to research. Once again she was going through Wesley's journals, hoping to discover some clues. Nothing so far.
Gunn was going through the weapon's cabinet, trying to find the right blade. He won, his paper to Connor's rock, but vampire knew it wasn't time to sit back and do nothing. He picked a hatchet and looked it over. Too small. He already made a handle, it was long and perfect for his grip. Kinda heavy too, metallic and cold. He didn't really feel it. Combined with a good blade and he'd have an axe.
Amy was sitting with Lorne, intrigued by his appearance. She never saw demon like this. He was totally harmless, with great voice and personality. Right now she was listening to his story how the Angel Investigation's landed in his home dimension, Pylea. She felt close to peace.
Rain, Katie and Connor were sitting on the sofa's, tossing jokes back and forth, generally having a good time. Trying to forget about their position and the horrors lurking in the dark. They talked about nothing, about their life's, generally about everything.
Spike on the other hand was sitting on the stairs, alone. Sipping from the mug he placed in fixed microwave earlier, he was savouring the taste of warm liquid. His eyes were resting on Connor. He couldn't shake off the familiarity behind him. He met Connor before very briefly and hadn't had time to focus on the boy. Now however he had nothing better to do than study him. He was sure the boy reminded him of someone. He just didn't know who, that detail was continuously slipping from his reach.
***B***B***
Before Angel came back, Illyria had time to really look at her surroundings. She couldn't tell if the hall she was in was new or old. Most of things were trashed, bloody and broken around her. It was surprising that the lines that kept her inside were okay. Lights weren't working, the subtle blue light came through few windows. Only sign of the night. She couldn't think of a way to get out of here. Every time Illyria tried to pass the lines, she couldn't. Felt like hitting an invisible wall, a one she couldn't penetrate. It was really pissing her off. Either Angel himself was keeping it up or something on his behalf was. Difficult to tell.
Now Angel was here, sitting in front row, watching her. Just watching.
''You're young.'' she said.
''Huh?'' came the response.
''You're not that powerful by yourself. Somehow you gained my power and you felt as the world was yours. You care about small things. You came here to conquer this dimension, but you still have a personal vengeance.'' Illyria explained calmly. ''You're just a child with a temper tantrum. Grow up.''
Angel nodded his head. ''Not bad. I'm quite old though. I've searched for your power for decades. Now I'm the most powerful thing in many worlds. Including this one.''
''I will bring you to your knees before I destroy you.'' Illyria spat.
He smirked. ''You can't. Or did you already forget our earlier meeting? Hit your head a little too hard perhaps?''
Old One cocked her head. ''If I kill myself you will lose my power.''
''Yes, I will.'' Angel said dramatically. ''That's one of the reasons you're here. Don't think about killing yourself either, because this and couple more buildings around are under a spell. You can't die inside, I made sure of that.''
Illyria didn't say anything.
Demon sighed. ''You know I found something really nice here.'' He held up his hand and The Scythe appeared in it. ''Only an image, that's true. I have it hidden very deeply.''
''It's the weapon of The Slayer.'' she said.
''Indeed. Useless in my hands, but gains power in Slayer's.'' He traced the handle and closed his fist. Scythe dissapeared. ''I left that little blonde thing outside. Shame really, I wanted to see what it can do. The full potential.''
''There are slayers here.'' Illyria noticed.
''Slayers?'' he snorted.''You call those girls slayers? They're all but.'' Angel sat back down. ''You're right though. They have the power.''
''Will it kill you?'' she asked curiously. Illyria herself didn't know if she could be hurt by it.
''Probably. I won't go and check it out myself.'' Angel muttered. ''The Scythe is forever bonded to The Slayer. There are hundreds of them out there. I can't break the bond completely, but I can diminish it. Blonde is the true slayer. Weapon will remain loyal to her. All others? Not so much. So you see, there isn't anything I haven't thought about. This is my world already.''
***B***B***
Faith stared at the journal in her hands. This... this is just impossible. Yet she had it right here before her face. She glanced at Connor. He was still sitting on the sofa's. Faith took a deep breath and walked over.
''You know there are very interesting things you can read.'' She said quite loudly and threw the journal onto the table.
Everyone turned their attention to them.
''Oh God.'' Lorne gulped. Connor looked at him, then at the journal and put two and two together. He stared Faith in the eyes. Demon's reaction gave Faith enough proof.
''It's you isn't it?'' she asked. He nodded.
She shook her head. ''How is that even possible?''
''Is what possible?'' Spike spoke up from his position on the stairs.
''Connor is... he's Angel's son.'' Faith said.
Vampire quickly came down. ''I knew it.''
''What?'' she immediately turned her head.
''I knew you reminded me of someone. Now it makes sense. Darla.'' Spike was looking at Connor.
''My mother.'' Connor said. It was all out there, no reason to hide it anymore.
''Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down a little.'' Came next voice and Gunn appeared from the basement. ''Run it by me again.''
''Why didn't you tell me?'' Faith put her hands on her hips.
''Would you believe me if I did?'' Connor wasn't intimidated. Yet.
''That wasn't the question. Why?'' she demanded.
''Because you'd treat me differently. I can hold my own, but you'd only see me as little helpless Angel's son you just have to protect from all evil that exists.'' Boy said.
''You're damn right.'' she said through gritted teeth. ''From now on you're staying here. No missions.''
Connor got to his feet. ''Yeah right.''
''You will do as I say.'' Faith walked closer to him.
''Watch me.'' He stood his ground.
''No, no, no Connor's right.'' Gunn slowly said, obviously still processing the news. ''He can't stay here just because he's Angel's son. In here he's useless as long as the sanctuary spell works. Boy's a good fighter.''
''With him on this one.'' Spike commented.
Faith sighed in annoyance. ''You! You knew? You were in on this?'' she asked Lorne.
Demon nodded.
''Ugh. Anything else you guys want to share?''
Connor and Lorne shook their heads.
''Okay, then both of you sit down and tell me what the fuck happened.'' Faith ordered them.
***B***B***
Katie left her room for something to drink. Rain and Amy were already asleep, but she was damn thirsty. Only halfway down she saw every male and Faith sitting in the lobby, silence spread between them. ''What did I miss?''
Having every pair of eyes on her made blonde a little uncomfortable. Connor finally took a breath. ''They know Angel is my father.''
Katie poured some juice into the glass. ''Angel?''
''The vampire.''
''Oh.'' she sipped from it. Faith shot Connor a disbelieving look. ''You should go to sleep, all of you. Pretty late already and we got a busy day tomorrow.'' Katie said and walked up, back to the room she shared with Rain and for now Amy. They hadn't found enough rooms for all of them yet.
''She's right. You all go, I'll stay up tonight.'' Spike offered.
''I'm with ya.'' Gunn muttered. Vampire raised his eyebrow. ''I still need to make a new axe.'' Gunn explained. Spike smiled.
Faith, Lorne and Connor went upstairs, slayer to one and demons to another. Tonight she had whole room to herself.
Angel had a son. A son she met before and who was currently in a room next to hers. Faith took her clothes off, they were kinda baggy. She couldn't find any leather during their raid on the mall. She considered taking the bra off, then something told her she'd need it. Brunette didn't really know why, but left it on anyway. Quietly she slipped under the covers. In few minutes the bed warmed up while she was busy thinking. They had their team. Not Angel's Investigations, not Scooby Gang, but something new. Bunch of people under one roof with the same goal. Could they do it? Kill Angel, save the world. Easy on paper. If she'll let someone kill him, Faith will hate herself for the rest of her life. If she'll do it, that'll probably kill her more. Not a fucking easy choice. But first they needed to find The Scythe. Find Angel. Not die in the process. Gank some demons along the way. She snuggled into the pillow.
''I knew you were still alive.''
Faith grabbed a knife from under the pillow and shot up from her bed, ready to attack everything in sight. She froze.
''B?''
***B***B***
If you read that and have good/bad thought's just lay it down on me. Really, I'll take it. (: