CHAPTER NINETEEN

Angel went to see Abigail. She was sitting in an armchair nursing another drink.

" Hey," he said after she invited him in.

" It's good to have you back," She replied. He could see the scar on her neck.

" I'm really sorry about that," he said, " Are you ok?"

" I've been better. And you're sorry yes but you're lucky the others returned in time."

" I know."

" And what really pissed me off that son of yours wanted to kill me."

" Really?" Angel did not know this. There was no love lost between his son and the girlfriend of one of his best friends.

" Yes. He was afraid I'd been turned. I heard the whole exchange but Lorne--dear old Lorne stopped him. And now…I wish he hadn't."

" You may feel like this now but…as I said to Lorne earlier, we never know our strength until we are tested."

" So…I guess he told you?"

" I was once sacrificed by my girlfriend to a hell dimension to save the world…so I know where you're coming from." He paused, " I don't agree with what he did but he did because he loves you. I've never known a demon to love a human so much but he does. If he given the opportunity he'd sacrificed himself for you."

" Did he tell you this?"

" No, love is sacrifice." Angel said simply.

Lorne gathered up his spell ingredients and blew out the candles. If he did the spell right it should work in 24 hours. Perhaps even less. And hopefully one segment of Abigail's memory will be wiped without consequences.


" Morning Angel," Abigail greeted the vampire as she walked down the stairs, feeling fresh after a long shower.

" Hi," Angel was going through some files

" Where is everyone?"

" Fred and Gunn are out on a mission, Lorne's still asleep, Wes is at home and Cordy's still upstairs."

" Oh ok."

" I've been thinking…now that's everyone's back to being relevtaivly normal, we can get back to training." Angel suggested.

" Are you sure? I don't want to take up any of your time-"

" I need a distraction," Angel told her. He studied her for a moment, " Are you ok? You sound really…"

" What?"

" Chipper." He finished.

She shrugged, " Why shouldn't I be? Your back, Lorne and I are back together…"

" Um-" Angel stared at her. Something wasn't quite right about this.

" Angel, you're scaring me. What is it?"

" Nothing, everything's ok. Have you seen Lorne?"

" No, he's still asleep. I didn't want to disturb him. He hasn't been sleeping well lately."

" You…were in Lorne's room last night?"

" Why wouldn't I be? Angel, are you sure you're ok? I did tell you he and I got back together during your stint as Angelus?"

" Yes you did. Sorry, I forgot." Angel said, " I'm going to see Lorne now. Maybe he can give me a reading, I've lost my way a bit."

" Good idea. I'm going out for coffee. I'll be back in soon." She turned to go, " Angel, it's really good having you back."

You've already said this. Last night. Angel thought. But apparently she has forgotten.

He went upstairs and knocked on Lorne's door.

" It's open," the demon answered. Angel went in, Lorne was putting on a jacket.

" Oh hey boss."

" Lorne, what have you done?" Angel demanded.

" Excuse me?" Lorne replied.

" I saw Abigail earlier…she doesn't seem to remember the conversation she and I had last night. Its like she's in denial about her destiny, or she doesn't remember."

" I don't know what you're talking about-" Lorne turned to leave but Angel got in his way.

" Did you do a spell on her? Make her forget what happened?"

" It was only a small spell," Lorne protested, " Harmless."

" You know what happens with memory spells, don't you remember the last one you did?"

" Of course. But this one won't go awry. I promise."

" And if it does?"

" Then I will have to deal with the consequences."