Author's Notes: Although Connor was never a favorite of mine, I was not trying to bash his character when I wrote this next part. An article titled, 'Home Is Where Your Fleet Of Cars Was' by Ron at slayage.com sums up my opinion of Connor.
'Okay, I wasn't going to talk about Connor, because I thought it would be fun to play it like my memory of him was wiped along with everyone else's. But I have to acknowledge the fact that the last scene he had with Angel was pretty powerful stuff, and it affected me a lot more the second time I watched it. I've never been the biggest supporter of Vincent Kartheiser, but the kid definitely pulled out his best performance ever for this episode, and his last confrontation with Angel was extremely moving. Rebecca watched it with me, and it was unfortunately the first Angel episode she's ever seen. She asked why Connor was so messed up, and why he would do something as drastic as booby-trapping all those people in the sporting goods store. Why's he so messed up? God, where do I start? He's the child of two vampires, and as a baby he was kidnapped and taken into a hell dimension, where he grew up in the most savage environment imaginable. He's angry with Angel for letting Holtz take him, he's angry at Holtz for leaving him, he's angry at himself for not being able to forgive either one of them, and he feels like any instances of love he's ever felt in his life have been lies. Jasmine was the last straw, because when everyone else in the world felt her love like a warm, pure light, he had to fake it all along because it was the closest his life had ever come to having purpose and he couldn't admit that he wasn't feeling it. . . . ' (For the complete article go to http://www.slayage.com/reviews/000070.html .)
I too see Connor as an angry, confused, young man and wrote him as such. For people who are curious, my thought for his future was to follow Jossverse canon in regards to Connor, so all would actually tie in nicely with how I portrayed him.
The Camarilla is composed of the major vampire Bloodlines or Clans. One of its purposes is to establish a rule of law for the vampire community. The members are powerful individual vampires who have been granted the power to punish lawbreakers.
Part 28
The Hyperion Hotel, LA, California
"You sure that parking right in front of the Hyperion was a smart move?" Looking up at the hotel, Nic was sure that they had been spotted already. "Not too stealthy of us."
"I don't want to be stealthy." Angel replied as he gently transferred a sleeping Spike into Nic's arms. "Let them see their Master and tremble."
"Uh huh." Nic couldn't keep the incredulity from his tone. "Connor, Snow, and an army of minions are going to tremble at the two of us and," he looked at his nephew's face, "him."
"Just watch over William." Angel ordered as he strode purposely toward the hotel's front entrance. "I'll take care of Snow and *Connor*."
Holding Spike easily with one arm, Nic felt for his desert eagle handgun. "Well, baby." He spoke to it. "You helped take out two Turok-hans, think you can manage, a Blood-Childe, his Clan, and a traitor?"
**
"I said I wanted something to eat and this is what you bring me?" Connor looked disgustedly at the plate with the bologna sandwich the minion held. "You should know that isn't good enough for your High Master." Backhanding the minion, he stomped around the Hyperion's lobby.
Anger and hate made Connor an irrational, bad-tempered master, not unlike a young Angelus. "Bring me something that's edible, and where's Snow?" He yelled. Young and confused, Snow was now the person he clung to.
"Yes, just where is Snow?" A voice asked from across the room.
Turning, Connor found himself staring at the one person he never thought he'd see again. Angel. Pointing a finger, he yelled an order to his minions. "Kill him!"
"On your knees!" Stepping further into the lobby, Angel roared out the command at the minions, but his eyes never left Connor. "Kneel before your true master."
Baffled the minions looked at each other with confusion. They weren't sure whom to obey.
Hands balling into fists, Connor started for the minions. Punishment was their due for not obeying him. He had only taken a step, when he was grabbed by the back of the neck and thrown into the base of the hotel's front desk.
"Daddy's home." Angel stood over Connor menacingly.
Slowly getting to his feet, Connor stared at his Sire with hate filled eyes. "I should have killed you. It's what you deserve."
"Missed your chance, boy." Angel hauled Connor up by his shirt collar. "So now the question becomes, what do you deserve?"
Panicked, Connor began lashing out with his fists. "You murdered my father. You. . . ."
Moving his head backward and sideways, Angel deftly dodged Connor's blows. "I did not kill Holtz. I was set up." Grabbing his son by the wrists, he held him still. "*We* were set up. Set up by your buddy Snow."
"Liar!" Wrenching his arms free, Connor stood before Angel, eyes reflecting his mass of conflicting emotions.
Staring at Connor, Angel felt like someone threw a bucket full of cold water on him. There wasn't just hate and anger in his son's eyes, but hurt, anguish, and immense pain. "Connor." He spoke softly. "What you did to me was. . .was unbelievable. What you did to your family," he glanced over at Nic and Spike, "is unforgivable. There's a part of me that will always love you, but you need to get out of my house now and take your minions with you."
**
Walking up to Gunn's truck, Fred, Lorne, and Gunn all hesitated a moment before getting in. "Are we doing the right thing?" Fred asked her two companions.
"Don't know." Gunn shrugged. "But this may be our last hope to find Cordy."
"He only wants me to read his Childe, who I guess is in a traumatized state because he was tortured by the First." Lorne tried to be reassuring, but his smile was still uncertain. "Nothing major, and then we can ask him for a favor."
"The First?" Fred opened the truck's passenger door.
"The First Original Evil." Lorne held the door while Fred climbed into the truck. "That's how Angel explained it to me."
"O-kay." Fred scooted over next to Gunn, so there would be room for Lorne.
The three were silent as Gunn started up the truck and began to drive to the Hyperion. They had gone a few miles when Fred finally voiced another doubt. "And if he agrees to help us, can we trust him?"
"Course not, sweetie." Lorne was his usual realistic self. "He's a vampire."
**
Making themselves comfortable in the Hyperion's lobby, Angel was tucking a blanket over a still sleeping Spike. "I know what you're thinking." He said to Nic, who was lounging in a chair next to the couch, legs stretched out in front of him, and a shot glass dangling from his fingers.
"That's a good trick." Nic raised the shot glass and downed it. "Since I'm not thinking anything."
"I couldn't kill him." Angel was brooding over what had happened with Connor. "What he's become; it's not his fault."
"He'll meet up with Snow; they'll regroup and then come for us." Setting the glass on the coffee table, Nic watched Angel pour a shot for himself.
"If any of them enter my home without my invitation, I'll kill them, and that includes Connor." Angel was dead serious. He had shown mercy once for Connor, and that was all that boy would get.
Nic shrugged and then reached over for the whiskey bottle. "You're the boss. . .err. . .Master." The sound of people walking through the hotel's front entrance had him moving his hand quickly from the whiskey bottle to his handgun, which was also lying on the coffee table.
"Calm down." Angel smiled slightly. It was unusual for him to be telling his brother to settle down. It was usually the other way around. "It's just Lorne, and. . . ." Turning around, he frowned at the sight of Fred and Gunn. "I thought you were coming alone." Disapproval was evident in his voice.
"We're a team." Lorne spoke quickly. "We don't go anywhere without each other. Kind of like the three musketeers."
"We work together." Gunn said grimly, not at all intimidated by Angel. "You want Lorne to do a favor for you, and then we want something from you."
"Is that so?" Angel crossed his arms over his chest. The testosterone in the room began to rise. "My business is with Lorne and only Lor. . . ."
"Cordy's missing." Fred interrupted quickly. "For about two months now. We can't find any trace of what happened to her."
"And you think I know something?" Angel asked darkly, feeling like they were accusing him. "For the last two months I've been trapped at the bottom of the ocean."
"Yes, we just heard from Wesley about. . .about that." Guilt that they hadn't done anything to help had Fred looking everywhere but at Angel.
"Listen, Angel-cakes." Lorne stepped up to the vampire and touched him ever so lightly. "We know that you have no information about Cordy's disappearance, but you're the one person we know, who has a slight acquaintance with the Ventrue High Master."
"Judelin?" Slightly mollified by Lorne, Angel's tone became slightly less hostile.
"He's the big cheese here in LA." Lorne explained. "All demons, not just vampires, are paying him tribute. If there's been any demon or mystical activity, he would know about it."
"And you suspect that Cordelia's disappearance was caused by either demons or mystical forces?"
"We've ruled out everything else." Gunn stated.
Stepping backward, Angel sat down on the arm of the couch, considering for a moment. "I plan to discuss a couple of issues with Judelin, so I guess asking him about Cordy won't be a problem."
Fred, Gunn, and Lorne exchanged relieved smiles.
"Well then, we have an agreement." Lorne rubbed his hands together as he walked up to an unconscious Spike. Placing his fingertips on Spike's temples, he closed his eyes and concentrated. "Let's see what's going on inside of your noggin."
**
Naked and huddled in a corner, he could hear them talking about him.
"It's been months, and he still acts like a wretched human! He's my Childe. . .my Blood-Childe. . . ."
"Listen, Angel, the First really did a scramble job on him. I don't think he can tell the difference between reality and. . . ."
"What have I told you about breathing, boy? Vampires don't breathe."
"I remember when the First tormented me. Drove me to near suicide, and it only used mental torture. I didn't have the 'pleasure' of having its minions afflicting physical pain on me."
Jumping up, he couldn't stand it anymore. He needed to end the agony. He needed to cut *it* out of him.
"I'm telling you Angel, your Childe needs some kind of powerful. . .something. I would say a healer, but healers deal with broken bodies, not broken minds. "
"If he has a broken mind, then it's not a healer he needs." A female voice said. "He needs a psychotherapist or. . . ." Fred trailed off as Gunn gave her an incredulous look.
"What kind of therapist would treat a vampire, who was fucked up by the First Original Evil? Hannibal Lect. . .hey!" Gunn glanced up to see Spike suddenly jump up off the couch. "Junior's up." He yelled a warning to Angel.
"Gotta cut it out of me. Gotta cut it out of me." Spike mumbled to himself, as he looked wildly around. "Then my Sire will be proud." A leap over the couch, and he was running toward the kitchen.
Nic tried a diving catch from his post on the chair, but missed, as Angel took off after Spike with Gunn, Fred, and Lorne on his heels.
"Gonna cut it out." Reaching the kitchen, Spike grabbed a butcher knife off the counter. "And I'll be rid of it."
"William!" Angel threw himself at his Childe but wasn't fast enough to stop Spike from plunging the knife into himself. "William, stop!" He lunged forward, but Spike stepped backward, causing him to lose his balance. Going down in a heap, they fought for the knife.
Entering the kitchen, Nic ran over to them. Hauling Spike up, he held on tight to his nephew's squirming body. Reaching for the now bloody knife, Angel pulled it out, as Spike screamed. "Cut it out of me. Cut it out of me."
"Put him out, Angelus." Both Nic and Angel were finding it hard to keep a hold of a struggling Spike.
Fangs dropping, Angel bit into Spike's neck, bonding them, so he could 'push' his Childe into unconsciousness.
"Jesus fucking Christ." Nic stared at Spike's blood covering his hands. "If Childer aren't a pain in the ass. No wonder our Sire was such a mean, old bastard. Five Blood-Childer drove him over the edge."
Swinging Spike into his arms, Angel gave his brother a quizzical look. "Yeah, and if I'm remembering correctly, you were the most disobedient."
"I'll get some bandages and. . .stuff." With her usual nervous smile, Fred scurried from the kitchen.
"Yeah and if I remember correctly," Nic muttered quietly as he followed Angel, "you were the most pompous."
**
The Ventrue Lair, LA, California
He had disarmed and had one of the sentries around the neck before they even knew he was there. "I'm here to see your Master." Twisting the minion's arm hard, Angel heard the satisfactory snap of bone. "Take me to him now."
Weapon raised, the second sentry knew the request was impossible. They would die rather than betray their Master. Aiming carefully, he shot his partner in the heart.
To Angel's surprise the minion he had a hold of dissolved into dust. Wood slivers in the bullets. Unnatural quickness even for a vampire gave Angel the split second advantage to knock the gun out of the minion's hand before another shot could be fired. Snarling, he grabbed the sentry by the throat and threw him against the wall. "I guess you didn't hear me the first time, so I'll repeat myself. I'm here to see your. . . ."
"Angelus." Judelin stepped through the main entrance. "Good minions are rare these days. If you insist on killing another one of mine, I will not be pleased."
Shoving the sentry away from him, Angel faced the Ventrue High Master, eyes glittering gold, fangs showing clearly. "It's been my philosophy that a show of force will always get people's attention."
"Yes," Judelin turned to re-enter his lair, "I do remember other instances of you demonstrating your. . .philosophy."
"There are things I need to discuss with you." Giving the minion one last intimidating glare, Angel followed Judelin inside. "As you can see, I'm back now, and. . . ."
"I was told you were dead." Judelin interrupted as a wide, double door was quickly opened for him by minions. "But I'm not surprised that you're still with us. You always did lead a charmed life."
"Connor and Snow locked me in a coffin and threw me into the ocean." Angel did a quick head count of body guards. He was confident he could take all of them, but the unknown factor was the Ventrue High Master. "I have yet to decide the proper punishment for the two."
"So Connor hasn't been put to death?" Judelin turned quickly to face Angel. "His actions certainly warranted it."
"No." Angel eyed Judelin with curiosity. The Ventrue Master seemed entirely too interested. "He is currently on the streets of LA with Snow and some minions. I wanted to advise you of that because it might be. . . ."
"Angelus." Judelin broke in with a sigh. "Could you please make yourself more presentable? If I must meet with you, at least do me the courtesy of letting me look at your 'better' side."
Reverting back to his human face, Angel gave the Ventrue Master a mocking smirk. "You've always accused the Tremerens of not accepting their human side, but I wonder if you have problems accepting your demon side."
Angel's comment drew a smile from Judelin. A smile with fangs. "Don't underestimate me. I've lived more years than any other vampire alive, and in that time I have accepted all of who I am. Now getting back to Connor, give the boy to me."
The growl escaped before Angel could stop it. "He's mine. I won't make the same mistake twice. Giving another one of my Childer to you."
"You failed him." Judelin stated matter-of-factly. "Throwing you in the ocean proves that he's not about to forgive you, so your choice is to either put him to death or to give him to me."
"And what will you do with him?" Judelin's logic was sound, but Angel was having a hard time accepting it.
"It's been prophesized that he is to be the savior of our kind, which is another reason he should *not* be killed. Give him to me." Judelin's tone was sincere. "And I will treat him as one of my own."
"I remember you making that promise before, and you weren't totally honest." Despite his initial misgiving, Angel was starting to seriously consider Judelin's offer. "And what of Snow? I want a slow, painful death for him."
"I will also take care of Elder Snow." Looking around at his minions and bodyguards, Judelin barked out an order. "Leave us, *all* of you."
Immediately all dropped down to one knee and then began heading for the door. One large, ferocious looking minion had the nerve to make a small protest. "But, Master. . . ."
"Out!" Judelin dismissed the minion with a wave of his hand. Pacing the floor, he waited until the door closed behind the last minion. "Elder Snow is your brother."
"My bastard brother." Angel said through gritted teeth. He had already been told by Nic about Snow.
"Not anymore of a bastard than Damon or Nic." Judelin pointed out. "And for you to kill a brother would not be a wise move in these unsettled times. Trust me. When I get a hold of Snow, he will suffer."
"You'll put him to death then?"
"No." Judelin watched Angel carefully. "He'll be held prisoner until he stands trial in front of the Camarilla."
"The Camarilla?" Angel straightened up in surprise. "There hasn't been a Camarilla for. . . ." He wasn't even sure the exact length of time. "For centuries."
"I plan to reinstate it." Judelin spoke quietly. "And I want you to hold a seat on it."
"Me?" Since being ostracized by his Sire, Angel had not involved himself in any vampire politics, and part of him wanted to keep it that way.
"You're still respected and feared among our kind. I need you to be there."
Angel contemplated for a few moments, before answering. "If I agree to your. . .your requests, I want some things in return."
"Of course." Judelin smiled slightly. He knew then, he would get what he wanted.
"In Sunnydale, William was captured and tortured by the First. Do you know of the First?" Angel asked, studying the Ventrue Master intently, looking for his reaction.
"Our paths have crossed." Judelin's answer was guarded.
"He was so traumatized by the experience that he's confused now. He can't tell the difference between reality and the First's lies."
"I'll send someone to help him." Judelin reassured Angel. "Someone who's had experience with victims of the First."
"Someone. . . ?" Angel stopped himself from asking anything more. He desperately wanted help for William and had no one else to turn to but the Ventrue. To question Judelin's generous offer was pointless. "I also want you to send a few competent minions to Africa for me. Damon took Djoser there to face the Trials, and I want them back. I, at present, am without any minions. "
Inclining his head, Judelin quickly agreed. "Done."
Realizing that his concessions had the Venture Master in an agreeable mood, Angel pushed for more. "Myself and my family will be allowed to live here without hostility or interference."
"You have my word."
"Then we have an accord." Angel nodded his head and turned to leave. "Oh, and one more thing. A young woman, who was in my employ, disappeared a couple of months ago. I want to know what happened to her."
"I'm to look for your human pets?" Judelin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"She's. . .she's important." Angel didn't want to give anymore of an explanation.
"I'll need more information than that."
"I'll send Nic over with some of my. . .my. . . ." Angel stammered. "My other human pets with the details."
"Send them over later. Make it around midnight." Judelin choked a bit. Part of him couldn't believe he was reduced to giving appointments to Angel's human servants. "I'll grant them an audience then."
****
Author's Note: If you're reading this series, you're probably already aware that in Bloodlines I use actual scenes and dialogue from both Buffy and Angel. Since I'm almost at the end of this series, I should take a moment to thank BuffyWorld, http://www.buffyworld.com/. Their transcripts helped me immensely and saved me time and wear on my VCR (before I knew about transcripts, I used to watch my Buffy/Angel tapes, and transcribed the dialogue myself using the rewind button a lot).
Part 29
Returning to the hotel lobby, Fred wasn't sure if bringing Spike another blanket would be helpful or not, since she had no experience with nursing sick and wounded vampires. "I brought another. . . ." Holding the blanket up, she looked uncertainly at Nic, who was perched on top of an unconscious Spike. "Is that comfortable?"
"No." The vampire answered bluntly. "But I'm not taking any chances that he," Nic bounced ever so slightly on top of Spike, "gets up and starts stabbing himself with sharp objects. It's my duty as his uncle and sponsor to watch over him."
"By sitting on top of him?" Fred asked, frowning in puzzlement. "I can't think that that's helping him."
Nic shrugged. "Got any better ideas?"
Fred considered a moment. "Cordy told me about a time that they had to. . .to restrain Angel. They wrapped him up in chains and shackled him to the bed."
Gunn, who had just returned from a food run, caught the last part of the conversation. "Who you planning to chain to the bed?" He asked as he handed Fred a bag of fast food.
"We're trying to figure out a way to keep Spike from. . .from," Fred stammered, "hurting himself more."
"Got some chains in back of my pickup." Gunn offered helpfully.
"Sold." Nic didn't need to hear the offer twice. Looking down at his sleeping nephew, he had one more request. "Got a straight jacket in the back of your pickup too?"
**
Returning to the Hyperion, Angel entered the hotel lobby and was relieved to see everything peaceful. "Judelin and I have come to an understanding on several iss. . . ." He started to say but the sight of his beloved Childe wrapped in chains stopped him. "What the hell is that?" He snarled the question out to Nic.
"We secured William, so he can't play with knives and things." Nic said as he calmly sipped his animal blood. "Be glad. Your looney toons Childe has no new injuries."
Frowning darkly, Angel held his hand out. "Give me the keys."
With an exaggerated sigh, Nic dug in his pants' pockets for the keys.
"And is Judelin going to help us find Cordelia?" The question just fell out of Fred's mouth. Concern for her friend had made her more blunt than usual.
"He's giving you an audience tonight at midnight." Angel bent down, peering at the mass of chains around Spike, looking for the locks. "I suggest you write a concise report of what you know about her disappearance. The Ventrue Master doesn't like his time wasted. Also, take a picture of her with you. And you," He turned to look at Nic, "will accompany them."
"I'm fucking thrilled." Nic muttered grumpily. "Send me back to Sunnydale; I rather face the Turok-Hans than that pretentious bastard, Judelin." Standing up, he started for the stairs. He didn't have to be told that it was mandatory that he make himself presentable for the Ventrue Master.
"And remember the protocol." Angel called after him.
"Of course I'll remember the proper protocol." Nic lied through his teeth. "Who do you think I am, William?"
"Protocol? There's proper protocol?" Fred whispered nervously.
Shrugging his shoulders, Nic made an I-have-no-fucking-idea face at her.
"Oh, this is going to be good." Standing next to Fred, Gunn also saw Nic's expression. "Going to meet a powerful master vampire with a clueless escort."
"We'll be back in a few hours to pick you up." Fred turned to yell over at Nic, who had started up the stairs.
Raising a hand without turning around, he acknowledged what she said.
"We should go." Fred tapped Lorne, who was making himself at home at the Hyperion. He had snuck a brief nap earlier and was now enjoying a soothing cocktail. "Get all the paperwork we have on our Cordy investigation and stop by her apartment and pick up a couple of pictures."
"I'd like you to stay." Angel spoke up, addressing Lorne. "Judelin is sending someone here who supposedly has experience with treating the First's victims. I would appreciate your presence when this. . .this person gets here. Your eyes, ears, and extra talent would be most helpful."
Exchanging a quick look with Fred and Gunn, Lorne agreed. "No problemo, Big Guy. Is this. . .err person coming tonight?"
"Maybe." Angel answered as he began unwrapping the chains from around Spike. "I suppose it depends on when Judelin is able to contact him, or her, or," he frowned thoughtfully, "it."
A moment of silence and then Lorne spoke up. "Ah, Angel baby, just how much do you trust this Judelin?"
Throwing the shackles in a heap on the floor, Angel's mouth turned up in a slight smile. "As far as you could throw him."
**
Later that evening, Fred and Gunn returned for Nic, and the three left for the Ventrue lair with mixed feelings of hope and trepidation. Still camped out in the Hyperion's lobby, Angel and Lorne were enjoying happy hour.
"Make you another?" Lorne stood up, bottle in hand.
"No." Angel held up a hand. Sitting on the couch, he was cradling Spike in his lap.
"So, you don't trust this Judelin, but you're willing to. . . ." Lorne was interrupted by the sound of people entering the hotel. Turning in his chair, he saw two ordinary, human men. "We're not open for business, but I believe there's a nice Motel Six just a few miles from here."
"Not looking for a room, or anything else you can offer." The older of the two answered while he looked around the Hyperion. "I'm here as a favor for an old friend. He asked that I assist someone who had a run in with The First."
Carefully moving Spike off of him, Angel stood up, eyeing the newcomers with curiosity. The two men looked very human, very normal, and very harmless. "You were sent by Judelin?"
"I thought that was obvious." The older one spoke again, raising an eyebrow while studying Angel thoroughly. "Not too bright, are you? But then vampires aren't known for their high IQ."
Growling menacingly, Angel took a step toward the newcomer but was quickly held back by Lorne. Nostrils flaring, the scent that assailed him was pure demon. "What are you?" He asked, consciously relaxing his body. Years of living had taught him that appearances were deceiving. Angel sensed that despite the demon's innocuous look, he was seriously dangerous.
"In all my lifetimes, I've been many things." The demon flashed a toothy grin. "Now, do you want my help or not?"
"Yes, but you don't touch my Childe, until," Angel stepped closer until he was nose-to-nose with the demon, "I know something about you."
"Ah. . . ." The demon looked past Angel to the unconscious Spike. "A Blood-Childe. Your Blood-Childe." Turning to his companion, he explained. "Vampires are very protective with their Blood-Childer."
Saying nothing, the second man just nodded his head as if he understood, although his knowledge of vampires was little to none.
Angel's attention turned to the demon's companion. This time his sense of smell told him mortal. "He's your human slave, isn't he?" He nodded toward the young man. "Judelin has forbidden the killing of human beings, so I'm surprised he allows you to own one as a slave."
"Human servant, if you please." The demon protested. "I prefer the term human servant."
"Whatever." Angel stared at the young man. He had beautiful features and looked to be no more than sixteen years old, similar to his Connor. Turning his attention back to the demon, he once again stood nose-to-nose. An aggressive stance on his part. "Your human servant has told me something about you. You like them young. I wonder if Judelin knows that about you."
"Young, you say." The demon was taken by surprise for just a moment, before he threw his head back and laughed. "O," he nudged his servant, "tell the nice vampire how old you are."
"I'm. . . ." The young man furrowed his brow. He had barely gone to school in his lifetime, so doing math in his head was not within his capacity. "I'm over one hundred." He spoke softly with an English accent. "I was born in 1884, so that makes me. . . ."
"You were born in 1884?" Angel asked with disbelief. He took a step close to the young man, so he could get another good sniff of him but was immediately stopped by the demon.
"Oh no." Despite his smaller size, the demon had no problem pushing Angel back. "Keep your distance. I'm as protective of him as you are of your Childe. Now I'll ask this just one more time, do you want my help or not?"
"Ah, if I may make a suggestion." Lorne stepped between the two men. "Could you," he addressed the demon, "and your. . .human servant sing a few bars of. . .oh, I don't know. . .God Save the Queen?" Lorne had noted the young man's British accent.
Head cocked, the demon stared at Lorne for a moment, considering. "You think you can read me? I'm. . . ." He stopped, letting out a short laugh. "You know what? I'm feeling in a generous mood, and Judelin is going to owe me big for this one." Giving his servant a poke with his elbow, he began singing a dirty ditty with O joining in after the first verse.
"That's good." Lorne flashed them a friendly smile. Turning to Angel he gave a slight nod, indicating that the two were okay.
Staring at Lorne, Angel prayed that the Anagogic demon hadn't made a mistake. "I would like your help. My Childe needs. . . ." Breaking off, he looked over at Spike.
"At last." The demon rolled his eyes up to the heavens. "The vampire finally makes a decision." Giving O a small push in the back, they made their way over to where Spike lay.
"Before you start," Angel still had reservations, "tell me your name."
"Sion." The demon answered as he began pulling out different mystical items from a backpack O had been carrying.
Taking Lorne by the arm, Angel led him behind the Hyperion's front desk. "Well, what did you read on. . . ." He looked over at the two men, who were now arranging the mystical items on the coffee table. "Sion and. . .O."
"The young man," Lorne gestured at O, "was telling the truth. He's over one hundred years old."
"He's demon then?" Angel said with confusion. He was sure he had smelled human on the boy.
"No, he's human." Lorne shrugged his shoulders. "He has memories of older times, but his. . .his mental and physical state is that of a teenager."
"How is that possible?" Angel asked the question out loud, but then dismissed O. The young man was not his problem. "And what about Sion? I sense pure demon, even though he looks human."
"Demon alright." Lorne rested his elbows on the front desk. "I couldn't read much about him. I did sense that he has a lot of power and is as old as dirt."
Looking across the room, Angel noticed that Scion had started painting something on Spike's face. "Just as long as he's powerful enough to help William." He commented to Lorne as he made his way to his Childe's side. "That's all I care about."
**
Sitting between Gunn and Nic in the truck, Fred fidgeted apprehensively. She had never had an audience with a formidable, master vampire before. "So Angel mentioned proper protocol." Talking helped her nerves. "So tell us, what should we do or not do?"
Reaching for a cigarette, Nic considered a moment. "Since you want a favor from Judelin, a little groveling probably wouldn't hurt."
"Groveling?" Gunn couldn't imagine himself groveling before anyone, especially a vampire. "What kind of groveling?"
"When we're called in front of him, we should probably kneel."Not being able to remember a time in his unlife that he had come before a High Master, Nic made an educated guess. "Probably kiss his ring too." He guessed again.
"Kiss his ring?" Gunn exclaimed. "The only person whose ring I'm going to kiss is the Pope, and this Judelin guy is far from being the Pope."
"Are you sure about the kneeling and the kissing of the ring?" Fred asked.
"No." Nic answered truthfully and then wondered thoughtfully. "Maybe we're suppose to kiss his feet." Looking over at Fred and Gunn, he saw their disgruntled expressions. "Hey, I'm doing my best here, and just remember," he rolled the window down a crack so he could flick the ash off his cigarette, "I'm not the one whose friend is lost."
**
"All done." Sion ran his hand lightly across Spike's forehead. "He'll wake up in a minute or two."
"And he'll be," Angel struggled for an appropriate word, "less confused?"
"Well," Scion gave Angel a mocking look, "I don't know if he'll be less confused, but he'll now be able to understand who exactly The First is, and what it did to him. But The First's uses truths to manipulate, not falsehoods, and therein lies its real power."
Staring Scion straight in the eye, Angel heard the accusation in the demon healer's voice. "The First appeared to him as me. Used my words and past actions to hurt," he looked over at Spike, "him."
"Give the vampire a gold star." Scion grinned triumphantly. "I guess there is a small brain under that caveman appearance."
Ignoring the insult, Angel turned away. His Childe was starting to awake.
Eyes flickering open, Spike awoke with a groan. "Bloody hell." He mumbled as he rubbed his head. He felt like someone had beaten him with a club.
"William." He sensed more than saw Angel kneel down beside him. "William, my Childe, look at me."
Vision blurry, Spike stared at the concerned face of his Sire. Hands were placed gently on either side of his face. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit." Without thinking, Spike sat up quickly and then was immediately sorry as it caused the knife wound in his abdomen to throb. "Fuck!" He swore as he instinctively reached to feel his injury.
"Don't!" Angel grabbed Spike's hands quickly. His Childe had a bad habit of picking and poking at any of his wounds. "You'll cause the bleeding to start again."
"Did a dumb ass thing, didn't I?" Spike looked down at the bandage around his stomach.
"What did you do?" Angel asked, trying to ascertain his Childe's mental state.
"Tried to cut out anything human in me." Embarrassed, Spike looked around the hotel lobby. It kept him from looking at Angel. Spotting Scion and O, he stared at them a moment. "Who are th. . . ?" He started to ask, but then O's face made him look closer. "I know you, don't I, mate?"
O immediately looked at his master for guidance. He rarely spoke or did anything without checking with Scion first.
"Yeah." Slowly sitting up straighter, Spike continued to look intently at O. "It was a while ago, but I remember. . . ."
"I don't recall ever meeting you, vampire." Scion interrupted. "So it must have been before he was with me, and we don't acknowledge that part of his life."
"Ok-ay." Spike did an eye roll. "Guess you're another domineering, over protective Po. . . ."
"So what do I owe you?" Angel hastily broke in. Insulting a powerful demon, especially one who had just helped you, was never a good idea.
"Nothing." Scion picked up his backpack and handed it to O. "Judelin has already taken care of your bill. I believe you gave him something of *yours* in return."
Flinching ever so slightly, Angel knew Scion was referring to Connor.
"But if you need my services again, vampire," Scion, with his arm around O, started for the door, "I'll be around, but next time you will be billed."
Arms folded across his chest, Angel watched Scion leave, but not before he responded to the demon's subtle challenge. "The name's Angelus, and I always pay my debts."
****
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who took the time to send feedback. Special thanks to Souless_Angel85 for the TONS of fb she sent me. Keeps me inspired.
Part 30
With Angel holding him up, Spike slowly shuffled from the bathroom into the bedroom. Despite the throbbing in his head and stomach, he felt better after a shower. "Fucking First! Hope the Slayer kicks its arse." He grumbled as he carefully sat down on the bed. "So, any news from Sunnydale? What have Buffy and the Scooby Squad done about The First and its plug-ugly minions?"
"I haven't talked to anyone from Sunnydale yet." Angel lifted Spike's legs and lay them carefully on the bed. "I've been busy taking care of business here in LA, but I did promise the Slayer that I would ask Judelin about The First. I did, but he had nothing much to say."
"Nothing much to say?" Spike lie back on the pillows with a groan of contentment. "The Ventrue blowhard had nothing to say? Must be a first."
Spike's disrespect caused Angel to heave a sigh. "Childe, he's the most powerful master vampire alive; you should be careful what you say about him."
"He's a Poof, and he's not the most powerful master vampire alive." Closing his eyes, Spike stated this matter-of-factly. "You are."
Angel's eyebrow raised in surprise. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me."
"I'm not being nice." Eyes still closed, Spike spoke softly. "I'm being realistic. He's lived a life with bodyguards and minions surrounding him. You've lived a good portion of your life alone, but you survived and will continue to survive."
Angel stared thoughtfully down at Spike. It wasn't the first time that a gem of wisdom came out of his usually immature Childe's mouth. "I could say the same for you." Sitting down on the bed, he stretched out beside Spike. "I guess we're survivors."
A few minutes of silence passed before Angel spoke again. "For every bad thing I've ever done to you, I'm sorry. You've suffered so much in your life, and it's all because of me. I wish. . .wish I could do it over, take back. . . ." Breaking off, he gazed at the wall, his past misdeeds flashing across his eyes.
"It's okay, Sire." Spike laid a hand over Angel's. "You made mistakes. Everyone does. I think I've made at least one every day of my existence."
His Childe's humor made him smile. "I won't make the same errors again. My life now revolves around you and Djoser. My goal is to protect, cherish, and ensure your futures."
"Me and Djoser? You forgot Connor."
"He's not my son anymore; I gave him to Judelin. . .don't!" Angel admonished as Spike, in surprise had started to sit up. "Lay back and relax. You've been though a lot today."
"Gave *him* to Judelin? The bloody git threw you into the ocean and left you ther. . .well, actually," Spike reconsidered, "giving him to that tosser perhaps is punishment enough. He'll grow up to be one big Ventrue Poof. That's a fate worse than death."
"He's not totally responsible for his actions." Angel said while stroking Spike's head, which was now lying comfortably on his chest. "He's suffered too and deserves a new start."
"With the Ventrues?"
"There is a prophecy that has Connor being the savior of our people. Judelin seems to put quite a bit of stock in that prophecy, and therefore, seems to be slightly in awe of Connor. Perhaps," Angel shrugged slightly, "Connor will become his Successor."
"Did you stop and consider that Judelin might want Connor as another weapon for himself? If a war is waged between them and us. . . ?"
"If Connor raises a hand against anyone of us again, I *will* kill him." Interrupting, Angel's tone was resolute. "And as you know, I don't make idle threats."
**
A couple of days later, Spike was feeling much better but continued to milk the sickly invalid routine. Besides getting a lot of attention from Angel, it had also netted him plenty of junk food, another television, and a video game system. Unlife was good.
Sitting in the Hyperion's lobby with Angel and Nic, he was doing his best to explain the mechanics of playing his new game system to Angel. "This button you use to move; this one is for reloading your weapon, and the trigger button is for fighting."
"Fighting?" Angel looked down at game control in his hand. It had more buttons than his cell phone. "Who am I fighting?"
"The monsters."
"Monsters?" Angel exclaimed. "Why am I killing monsters in a game? I could do that just by stepping outside on the streets."
Angel's obtuseness caused Spike to sigh and Nic to snicker.
"Yes, Sire." Spike said with uncharacteristic patience. "But in a game, you don't bleed real blood, and you only die pretend deaths. It's for fun."
"Fun?" It never ceased to amaze Angel what other people considered fun. "I've been killing demons and monsters all my life, and to simulate killing more is not my idea of relaxing."
Nic rolled his eyes to the heavens. "Oh for Christ's sake William, don't you have any other kind of game he can play? Like the one with the monkeys and the barrels, or the one with the little circles eating each other?"
"No, didn't think to buy such poofy gam. . . ." Spike stopped himself with a sideways glance at Angel. "I guess we could go to the store tomorrow and. . . ."
"Hello, hello." He was interrupted by the arrival of Lorne, Gunn, and Fred. "We received a message from Judelin." Lorne quickly explained. "We were told to come here, where a Ventrue envoy would meet with us and explain what was found out about Cordy."
"An envoy is coming here? Tonight?" Angel frowned with displeasure. He had not been told anything.
"Yes, sweetness, and to help us all get through it, I brought the makings for some refreshing seabreezes." Lorne triumphantly set down a grocery bag of juices, vodka, a couple of limes, and a bag of ice. "I know that diplomatic meetings can be rather trying, so I thought a few drinks would ease the pain."
"Got any Jack Daniels in there?" Spike was peering over, trying to see what was in the grocery bag.
"No, sugar pie, because seabreezes are made with vodka." Lorne never looked up at Spike as he busily pulled bottles out the bag.
"Fine." Spike shrugged. He wasn't picky when it came to booze. "I'll take one."
"I could use some glasses. . .clean ones." Lorne requested.
"I'll get some." Nic volunteered. He, like Spike, wasn't picky about his alcohol and was anxious to try a seabreeze.
"You're a helpful dear." Lorne threw Nic a smile.
"Yeah, he's helpful, alright." Gunn muttered darkly. "Made us look like fools in front of Judelin."
"What did he do?" Angel asked, as Nic left for the kitchen.
"Kneel down, no, stand up." Gunn imitated Nic. "You can sit; no you can't. We were bobbing up and down like we were spastic puppets."
Eyes now glued to the TV set as he had started playing his video game, Spike snorted with laughter. "Would have liked to see that."
"Hey." Nic returned from the hotel's kitchen, carrying six glasses. "I got you in to see Judelin, and he agreed to look into your friend's disappearance. What more do you want?"
"To not look like a jackass in front of a master vampire." Gunn shot back, expression disgruntled.
"Okay, okay." Lorne began mixing the cocktails. "Let's everyone have a seabreeze. Trust me, you'll all feel better for it."
The argument ended as the drinks were handed out. "Cheers." Lorne held up his glass. "Here's to us finding Cordy, and you?" He looked directly at Angel.
"That my family be reunited and safe." Angel said quietly as he looked down at his seabreeze. "Judelin agreed to dispatch minions to Africa to bring back Djoser and Damon. I sent word to him yesterday to ask if they had left yet. I'm anxious to know about my Childe and brother."
"Then here's to your family being reunited." Lorne finished his toast just as the Hyperion's front door opened and four vampires walked in. "And I do believe, our guests have arrived.
Walking up to Angel the Ventrue envoy motioned for the minions to get down on their knees. "Angelus, High Master of the Tremere Clan." He said formally, as he took Angel's hand and briefly knelt. "I bring you word from our Master."
"See, that's all we would have had to do." Gunn whispered in disgust while elbowing Nic in the ribs. "Not all the gyrations you put us through."
"Minions have been sent to Africa with instructions to report as soon as they know anything." The envoy continued to address Angel. "And as far as. . . ," he paused, not sure how to refer to two humans and an Anagogic demon, "the other matter, we believe your human. . .err friend is not dead, but in another dimension."
"In another dimension?" Fred exclaimed. "What kind of dimension? Not a hell one, like I was in?"
The Ventrue envoy turned and stiffly acknowledged Fred. "We don't know what dimension she's in. You'd have to ask Dinza."
"Who's this Dinza?" Gunn asked.
"I was told that she is one of the Eleusian Mysteries." The envoy explained. "A dark demi-goddess of the lost. Only the dead can enter her presence, and those that do, she often traps for eternity."
"Who told you this?" Angel inquired, wondering who supplied Judelin with such information.
Hesitating, the envoy was reluctant to name his source but knew he could not refuse to answer Angel. "An old friend of our Master was knowledgeable about. . . ."
"Scion." Angel interrupted, not surprised. "This old friend of Judelin seems to know a lot. Makes me curious about him."
Bowing his head, the envoy said nothing more. He was caught in the middle and being a good diplomat, he knew when to keep his mouth shut.
"And where is this Dinza's lair?" Angel asked softly.
"I do not know." The envoy couldn't help but take a step backward. He knew it was an answer that Angel would not like. "The request was to find out about this human woman, not where the Dinza's lair is."
"I want to speak with your Master." Angel stated abruptly. "Go back and tell him I'll be there within the hour."
"Bu. . . ." The envoy started to protest but was cut off immediately.
"Now!" Angel snarled out, which had the vampires backing up toward the door, genuflecting as they went.
"As you wish, High Master of the Tremere Clan." The envoy remembered his manners as he and his minions quickly took their leave.
"Bunch of wankers." Spike commented, still busily playing his video game.
"See what you can find out about this Dinza, and where her lair may be." Angel ordered the group as he looked around for his coat. "I need to have another talk with Judelin."
****
Epilogue
Lying on his stomach in bed, Angel didn't need a blanket; Spike was blanket enough as he felt the weight of his Childe on his back. "Judelin has promised to try and persuade Scion to meet with me. I believe that this Scion not only has information about the Dinza's lair, but can also give us information about The First. If we can get him to help us, we can kill two birds with one stone." He had come back from the Ventrue lair and was now telling Spike what had transpired.
"I understand why you want to help Buffy, but why continue to help the human twits here in LA?" Spike asked.
"Help them and you're guaranteed their loyalty. Don't you think we should have someone here we can truly trust, when we're living in a city controlled by the Ventrues?" It was awkward, but Angel turned his head to look Spike in the eye.
"Smart move." Spike conceded. "Covering all your bases, aren't you?"
"It's something I taught you, remember?"
"Yeah, but I wasn't listening that day." Spike joked and then turned serious. "And what about Connor?" Without being told, he knew that one of Angel's reasons for seeing Judelin was to ask about his youngest Childe.
"Judelin hasn't been able to bring Connor in from the streets yet." Angel said quietly. "Snow's a slippery one, and the two have managed to keep themselves hidden."
"The Ventrue Poof owns LA." Spike said with scorn. "How can he not find one renegade vampire, his minions, and one bratty git?"
"It's only been a few days; Judelin will find them." Angel stared at the opposite wall. He had confidence in the Ventrue Master. Connor would soon be safe with the Ventrues, and Snow would be imprisoned.
Spike sensed Angel's disquiet because of his younger brother. "He's still your son. You could. . . ."
"No." Angel broke in, voice firm. "We can live here safely, and Judelin will help me get Djoser back. It's the deal I made. I won't go back on it, and I don't regret it."
Resting his cheek on Angel's broad back, Spike was silent. Tightening his arms, he hugged Angel tighter. "I'm sorry about Connor, Father."
"So am I, Childe." Angel whispered softly. "So am I."
****
Finis
This is not the end of the Bloodlines Saga, but for now it is the end of these long wips. For now I need a break from them. Bloodlines will be continued in one shots, and in fact, the next fic I post will be a sequel to The Choice. Thanks for reading and hope everyone enjoyed.