I'm still not used to checking the traffic graph...but i checked today and i swear it says that this is getting views...if it is PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I'M DOING! FOR THE SAKE OF MY OWN SANITY PLEASE!

disclaimer...these shows wouldn't be gone if they were mine so ergo they are not.

xD

Monday Night:

Liz sat up again for what felt like the tenth time that night. Sweating and trying to forget her dream. Pulling out her diary Liz reached for a pen staring down at the empty page she opened too, not really knowing what to write down.

Dear Diary,

I can't go back to sleep again. I don't want to. I have this distinct feeling that once I close my eyes I'll have the same dream. They keep coming back and as of late they've been getting worse, only now they end differently. I can't seem to explain to Max that this is something I don't want him to be a part of. Monica is a part of me that I don't want him to have. It sounds selfish when I write it down but she is something my family and I all share. Max has been trying to give me space, trying to understand without knowing who she is. It hurts me to see that sad look in his eyes but he has to have patience. Dad doesn't know what to do this year, last year he had another candlelight vigil, only Mrs. Holden and her husband were invited. I'm sort of hoping that Maria and Mrs. Deluca will agree to come this year with me. I know it's not Maria's style but I need her there with me. Mom is getting better, she doesn't stop to look at the her picture every time she passes it in the hall. I remember when mom searched high and low for that picture, Monica had taken everything else. It's almost as if I have my mom back. Almost.

I've never really thought about it but dad has been the most reliable ever since she left us. He was the strong one while mom got lost in her sadness. It hurts me to lie to them about Max and the others now. But I know in the long run my silence will keep them safe.

It's getting late and we start school tomorrow.

Why the school board decided to start the semester on a Tuesday, I will probably never understand.

Closing it with a final thud Liz snuggled into the pillow hoping that the dreams were over, she needed to be at the top of her game if she wanted to make a good impression on her new teachers.

….

Michael turned over in his bed, agitated. He hadn't been able to look for Kathryn like he wanted after his shift. With school starting in the morning Michael knew he wouldn't be able to spend time with her. Not like he'd wanted too, he knew she wasn't staying and wondered when she was leaving.

The thought, made something ugly twist in his chest.

Michael groaned, what the hell was going on with him.

….

Kathryn sat on the roof, her knees tucked close to her body and her arms wrapped around her legs. The night air wasn't as cold as she thought it would be. The long sleeve shirt she had put on protected her just fine from the elements.

The sound of cars driving had long stopped, the lights of the shops had gone out. The stillness of the night would have comforted her, given her peace. If she wasn't so sensitive to the undercurrent of tension and anticipation. The quiet before the storm. She shivered, Kathryn knew she'd be prepared for whatever came. Knew that her nephew who was sound asleep in his bed was also prepared for the inevitable fight to come.

The wind whipped her hair around, it's pace picking up.

A whisper reached her ear.

Kathryn tensed, she looked around seeing no one she stood up. She walked the length of the roof, checking the perimeter just in case.

As she was about to sit down again and dangle her legs over the edge Kathryn heard it again.

Instead of getting up to investigate she closed her eyes and strained to hear what the whispers were saying exactly.

She's coming.

Kathryn swore as her breath caught in her throat, she looked up into the night sky. Her eyes landing on the face of the moon. Lady Moon glowed brighter for a second before it dimmed again, acknowledgement. She reached for the phone she knew she had in her pocket, debating whether or not to call her mother or Willow. To see if they heard the moon like she was right now.

She lends a hand to the beginning of the end to all and the dawn of new darkness. Forever hope will be lost, you must stop her.

The conviction she heard in the warning was enough for her to dial her mother.

Tanya Cavanaugh groaned in the darkness of her room, the windows blocked out by black paint. Something she'd done on a whim months ago.

Her cell phone chirped on the bedside table.

Flipping it open Tanya growled at however was on the other side, "what?"

"Mother," Kathryn muttered, her hands clenched at the sound of her mothers voice.

"Kitty-Kat," the woman slurred, "what do you want?"

Kathryn rolled her eyes, "I thought you said the moon's been silent for many centuries."

"It has," Tanya rubbed a tired hand down her face.

"It's talking now," she declared.

Tanya sat up, wide awake now, "what?"

"Lady Moon," Kathryn repeated herself slowly, "she's talking now. It sounds like she's been repeating it to the wind for awhile now."

The older woman shoved her bedroom door open, walking fast to her study where she kept all her books, "what's she saying."

Staying silent Kathryn heard the warning again and repeated ever word back to her mother, Kathryn could hear her pull out books and flip through pages. Searching with an urgency that made her uneasy.

"Found it," Tanya declared, the book she'd been looking through went back generations. It was passed down from the first in their line. She speed read through the passage, translating automatically the archaic Latin in her mind.

"whats it say?"

"Hold on," she snapped at her daughter. The writing got a little convoluted in some areas but she pushed through, "oh."

Kathryn perked up, "oh? That didn't sound like a good oh."

"It meant nothing," she reread it just to be sure, "is she still talking."Kathryn looked heavenward, the moon now silent just staring at her. Imploring her to take heed.

"No, she's not, she's just looking at me now."

Tanya leaned against the table she'd set up in the middle of her study, not liking what she was hearing, "it looks like she's chosen you daughter mine."

"For what?"Kathryn huffed out, the cold that hadn't been so bad before was getting to her now.

"The moon did stop talking along time ago. But when she did speak, she spoke only to the witch she'd chosen. In the Cavanaugh line she's only ever spoken to the men, never a woman," she ran a hand through her dark hair, "kid, she chose the men who knew how to fight. The legend goes that Lady Moon chose them to fight great evil and when they didn't return home it was because she'd taken them to the skies. Turned them into her stars so that they be near her. And when the end of the world comes she'd send them back down to earth to help rid it of evil."

Kathryn scoffed, glaring at the moon, "there have been plenty near end of the worlds and she's never sent down her stars to help us."

"It's the only thing I knew I'd find on her talking again," she defended the Lady, though she was starting to worry now. If Lady Moon took her daughter who would continue the legacy? Who'd make sure the Cavanaugh line survived?

"Can you keep looking for something more substantial, please?"

She felt foolish for having to ask her mother for anything.

"I'll keep my eyes peeled," Tanya hung up, she didn't have much time left in the world why not help her youngest daughter. For a minute she thought of reaching out to Faith, she knew she was with child and the child would be strong. Not as strong as Kathryn or her children but strong enough. Tanya shoved that thought away, her oldest daughter was fine and her unborn son would be fine too.

Kathryn pocketed her phone. Spike and Gunn were still gone. Angel was somewhere dealing with demons. Connor was asleep.

She grabbed her favorite hoodie, maybe she'd take a walk around her old hometown. Make a stop at the cemetery to see if there was any activity.

Locking the door behind her she headed out in no particular direction, the moon silent at her back.

...

Michael wanted to beat somebody's face in. He had a long day and he was tired damn it.

But still he kept walking. No particular destination in mind. His legs leading him where they knew he should be. Stuffing his hands into his pocket he hummed Metallica to himself. The silence of the town around him was creeping him about a bit.

He passed the high school and found himself close to the elementary school. The one he'd found Max and Isabel at when they'd been children.

Michael stopped at the fence, there on one of the swings sat a person wearing a hood. Being mindful he didn't touch the fence, knowing that it would rattle and let the person sitting there know they weren't alone.

So he walked around it, and found himself entering through the big field away from the school. The persons back to him.

He watched as they started to pump their legs, the swing moving back and forth.

The odd feeling in his chest uncoiled and coiled again as he got closer.

….

Kathryn walked around, noticing the little changes. When she found that there was no activity in the cemetery she'd headed for Main street. The center of town was still the same. Same shops with the same paint. Kathryn passed the high school, glad that they'd added another building though it still looked drab. She found herself looking at her old elementary school. The fence around the playground was knew. Some of the equipment was too. She noticed however what had stayed the same was the swing set. Old and rusting. Taking liberties she hopped over the fence, pulling her hood up just in case the police did any routine checks on the place. She sat on her favorite swing, happy innocent memories swept through her. Her body went through the motions of swinging, like she'd done when she was 4 and trying to touch the sky. She got lost in remembering it all.

Until she felt something in the air shift. She searched the area around her as she slowed the swing down and found nothing that could have caused such a reaction. Her heart thudded excitedly, Kathryn freaked out a bit, was she having a heart attack?!

The wind shifted in direction, she caught the smell of hot desert air, cinnamon spice and musk.

She breathed it in deeply, the smell was so familiar and intoxicating.

Her hood fell as she leaned back a bit and found herself looking into the upside down face of one Michael Guerin.

Surprised Michael took a step back, "I didn't know it was you."

Kathryn stood up, keeping the swing in between them so there wouldn't be a repeat of their moment in the morning, "it's okay."

Nervously she tugged at her hair, hoping he wouldn't see the hickey's he left on her neck. The ones Connor had pointed out and told her to cover up with makeup before getting back to the hotel.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked, his hands stuffed in his back pockets. Michael curled them into fists so as not to be tempted to reach for her.

"Couldn't sleep," Kathryn admitted, rocking on her heels a bit, "what about you? Why are you out here?"

Michael shrugged, "same."

"oh," she stopped fidgeting. A bit apprehensive, the urge to throw herself at him growing stronger the longer they were near each other.

"So," she took a step back, "I should really go."

"Yeah," Michael nodded, following her lead and stepping away, "me too."

"Maybe, we can get together tomorrow or something," she called out from a safe distance, feeling a little silly that she had to take such measures.

"Sure," he nodded, stopping in his movements. He couldn't see the sparkle in her eyes anymore, the ugly feeling in his chest was back, "What time?"

Kathryn wanted to say around dinner time, what came out instead was a flirtatious, "when you find me."

Michael forced himself to stay put as her words and tone washed over him, something primal reared its head and urged him to take her now. His nails dug into his palm, "When I do, what then."

She cursed as his deep voice took on a raspy quality, it threatened to bring her to her knees, "we'll hang out."

He smirked, challenge accepted.

…..

Tuesday morning Kathryn found herself looked at a tense and dirty Angel. He'd only barely made it in before sunrise and he'd been pissed at her for some reason or another. Kathryn figured he would get around to telling her why he was so mad, but right at the moment he was content with glaring.

From his bed Spike looked on, amused that he wasn't at the receiving end of Kathryn's glare like he used to be.

She huffed, rolling her eyes. His glare didn't work on her like it used too, whatever he was hoping to get out of her that way it wasn't going to work.

Angel's already tense shoulders tensed further, "do you have something to tell me?"

He ground out through a clenched teeth.

Raising an eyebrow at him Kathryn shook her head, no she did not have anything to tell her pig headed brother. Nope.

"Really? Nothing at all."

Again she shook her head no. With her last refusal to open up Angel got angrier.

He'd been at a well hidden demon bar, asking questions when a dog looking demon with droopy skin had stopped him. Clem was friendly and reminded him that there were others like Lorne out there, demons that could be good. Angel had gotten a good amount of information out of him, rumors he'd heard about some old and powerful demon that was trying to find his way into their world. Clem mentioned being friends with Spike, and wasn't it a shame that he didn't make it out of the Hellmouth. And then he'd mentioned Kathryn. That Spike had introduced them and how Kathryn had been happy to know Spike had other friends. He told Angel that he'd heard Kathryn had made it out and was happy she did. He asked how her sons where and that's where Angel had to ask if they were talking about the same Kathryn.

Clem told him about her boys. Gage, Kade and Liam. How they'd had Spike wrapped around their little fingers and Spike knew it. He'd often complain to Clem about it with a fond smile on his face.

Angel thanked him for his help, told him that they were alright. Growing bigger and bigger everyday.

He'd stalked back to the hotel, pissed and brooding over why it was he didn't know that his baby sister was a mother now.

Taking a seat on the edge of Spikes bed Kathryn continued to look at him, what was going on in that head of his?

She wondered if he'd learned anything, or maybe he'd seen her with Michael.

She felt a brief flicker of fear at that last thought. Mustering up her courage she waited for him to look at her again, "What's going on Liam?"

Liam, he remembered one of her sons was named Liam. He'd been the only Liam she'd known, he knew in his heart that she'd named one of her boys after him. Knowing this took some of the heat of his anger away.

"When were you going to tell me I was an uncle Kathy?"

Spike swiftly made his retreat into the room next door, he knew enough about his grandsire, knew that he never called Kathryn Kathy unless he was truly hurt or angry. In any case he didn't want to be present for the conversation that would follow.

His anger made sense to her now, Kathryn was hoping to tell him herself. She vowed to beat the crap out of whoever had told him, as soon as he revealed his source.

"I was going to tell you," Kathryn confessed, she had figured it was about time Angel knew of his nephews existence.

"When?" he asked sadly, "how old are they?"

Kathryn shifted in her seat a bit uncomfortable, "They're 3 now. Going to be fours in a month or two."

Angel chuckled without mirth, "When were you going to tell me Kathryn?"

She looked away, unable to handle the sadness in his eyes any longer. Kathryn supposed if they're roles were reversed she would feel what he was feeling. He had gone out of his way to tell her about Connor when he didn't have too. Kathryn frowned, forcing herself to stop feeling guilty. If he had paid attention to what was going on when she was there, he'd know. He would have known from the start.

"I found my oldest, the last summer I was with you," her voice came out small, hurting.

Angel had to clear his mind and think back. He'd been out of sorts, his friends were bailing on him and Darla was haunting him. Angel could vaguely remember Kathryn being there, she'd stayed confined in the room he had prepared just for her.

Kathryn refocused on his face, watching the emotions play out, "He was a few buildings over. His crazy ass parents were going to sacrifice him to some demon-god, he was only 6 months old. I couldn't bring myself to hand Gage over to the foster system so when I got back to Sunnydale I begged Joyce to take him in. To say he was her son and give him his 'fathers' name. She did it again for Liam and Kade. I found them both in the sewers under Willy's, they were going to be given to some middle man in exchange for half a million. They were the same age as Gage. When Joyce passed away and I refused to see you it was because I was taking care of the boys. I don't know how she managed it but she'd named me their legal guardian and I was so overwhelmed."

Finally everything was out in the open, tears of relief spilled down her pale cheeks.

Angel opened his arms, "come here."

Kathryn fell into his arms, his familiar scent comforting her, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner Liam, I really am."

"No," he murmured into her hair pressing an affectionate kiss on her head, "I'm sorry, I should have noticed."

They hugged each other close, the rift between them smoothing over.

Future plans started playing out in Angel's mind, of Christmas's and Thanksgiving's filled with laughter and warmth. Halloween spent trick or treating, tiny hands trusting him to protect them from the evils in the night.

All these things he had never had the chance to experience with his own son. A soft smile lit up Angel's face, "when can I meet them?"

Kathryn looked up, she'd been close to falling asleep again, "mm…I don't know Liam. Maybe when all this is over. Aren't they missing you at Wolfram & Hart?"

He shrugged, "I run it. They can survive without me for as long as I want to be away."

Kathryn squinted up at him, "are you sure? It's a big company right?"

"It'll survive," he said firmly, not willing to talk about the evil law firm and his ties to it, "what are their full names?"

"Oh, Gage Ian, Kade Gavin and Liam Declan O'Roark. I wasn't going to give them middle names but then Anya and Dawn said I should so I did research and those are the names I liked" she snuggled back in his chest, "Maybe you can come back home with me. They'll love to meet you in person.

"Angel looked down, "you told them about me?"

"Yeah," Kathryn smiled, "They like the stories about you, and about Spike. The boys don't really remember much of him anymore, even though he used to take care of them when we were still in Sunnydale. Kade loves hearing about him, I think he remembers Spike just a bit more clearly then Gage and Liam. And Gage likes hearing about you."

He nodded soaking up every bit of information like a sponge, "What about Liam?"

"Liam," she smiled thinking of her youngest, his big expressive hazel eyes, shaggy light brown hair and adorable smile, "he loves to hear about my adventures. My fights."

"So he's a momma's boy then," Angel chuckled.

"Oh they all are," she smiled lovingly, it faded as she thought of her own mother, "you know how I said that this killer might be human? Well it's not. If it was the Lady Moon would not be so concerned with stopping this person."

"Lady Moon?"He leaned away from her, he hadn't heard that expression in a long time, "how do you know about Lady Moon?"

Kathryn looked away shrugging, "Mother made sure I was well educated before I left her to find Faith. She taught me everything and Lady Moon was a legend passed down from generation to generation."

Angel scowled, Tanya Cavanaugh. How the woman had earned the right to be called mother he'll never know. "You called her didn't you."

"Well I wasn't going to call Willow about it. She's off being important with her magical friends so I called and asked mother about it and she said that I was chosen. I have her doing research for me. Maybe that will give us a clue as too who's behind the killings."

He scoffed, "Wes and Fred will find something."

"So will mother," she declared, she knew her mother well enough to know that if Tanya was worried she gave 110% to the cause.

At a stalemate Kathryn left the room leaving him to sleep. Spike rushed back into the dark room they shared, "About bloody time! I was burning up over there!"

"Shut up William," Angel's grumble reached her ears as she shut the door.

"Well," Kathryn whispered to herself so as not to wake Connor and Gunn up, "that went better than expected."

So i have it all planned out...i think i've mentioned this. In any case I'm telling you again. I have it all planned out. My muse for this story in particular is beside me and pushing me along so i have high hopes that i'll get to finish this...now if only I can get my muse to stick around so that i can continue my other story..cookies are a good bribe yes? xD

please for the sake my own sanity leave a review. reviews affect my self esteem and my mood. now don't you want to help me stay sane and happy? buckets of chocolate brownie ice cream will be consumed at an unnatural rate if i am not kept sane and happy. Don't you feel bad about all the little people who won't get to eat chocolate brownie ice cream? PLEASE leave a review ;)

Gracias! ;D

~Luna-Rose