Rating: PG-13ish?
Disclaimer: Own nothing, never did, most likely never will. That doesn't mean I'll stop trying! (Evil grin)We'd all be happier if I owned them.
Distribution: Black Angel Fan Fiction( www.geocities.com/rosaryangel ) and Land of Denial. Want, Take, Have (just tell me if it's posted).
Summary: Angel wants to be in his son's life once again.
Spoilers: My fic. Dad - That's it, I think
Author's Notes: Sequel to The Price of Life, you, pretty much, must have read that first. This is an possible future scenario, make the end of days and Angel's Shanshu happen anyway you want it to, but it's already happened here. I'm just going to pretend that the Niazian Scrolls prophesied him because he has power similar to that of the key, not because he has to be some great warrior for the good fight. There is a planned third part, to this series, but I haven't started it yet. My focus will be on finishing All Over Again ( shameless self plug stars here) I'd really encourage you to read that!
Author's Notes 2: Love Spike. Love Buffy. but together?....Let's just say 'Eew!' I had to fix that too, so in my verse there was no "Wrecked"! And this is a Christmas present to all of you who asked for a sequel/series. Happy Holidays!

"You did what?!" Cordelia screamed when Angel returned.

" I left him with Buffy" Angel sighed as he sank into an armchair.

"Why?" Cordy continued, still pacing, as she had been since he returned with out Connor.

"Because, you were right. Connor needs a human parent who can take him out in the sun as well as keeping him safe from all the things that go bump in the night." Angel explained sadly, already missing his son, adding to his constant longing for Buffy.

"But why Sunnydale? I mean he's not any safer and to Buffy? I mean what could the slayer, that has successfully died twice, do to protect him!" she ranted.

"I don't have to explain my actions to you, Cordelia!" Angel snapped.

Cordelia finally sank into one of the other unoccupied armchairs. "I just don't get it. Why do that to him? Why do that to her?" Cordy whispered.

" It's the best I can do for him. I can't think of anyone who would make a better mother for him than Buffy" Angel answered. Adding more for himself, "I just wish I could be there too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Five Years Later....

"Hey Mom, Guess what I did, today!" Connor yelled bounding into the kitchen, to tell his mother all about the work he'd done in school today. He came to a screeching halt when he noticed the man sitting at the table with his mother.

Dawn came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder, "Hey Hurricane Connor, you forgot your backpack." Dawn looked up at the pair at the kitchen table, "Hey Buffy... Angel" she greeted. She swiftly ruffled Connor's short dark hair and excused herself.

Connor had stayed silent the whole time, merely staring at the older man, who looked at him just as intensely.

Buffy decided to break the silence, "so, what did you do today, Connor?"

The little boy didn't answer the question, but asked one of his own, "who's that guy?"

Angel looked at Buffy, uncomfortably. No one answered Connor's question for a long minute.

"That's your Dad" she finally told him.

Connor fell into silent observation again, "Oh"

Angel cleared his throat uneasily, all he could think to say was "Hi."

"I have to go draw a picture for Miss Howard tomorrow. 'Bye" Connor said as he left the kitchen.

Both his mother and father sat there, staring after his swiftly retreating form.

***

Angel and Buffy sat in silence for a long moment after Connor's long swift retreat to his room.

"Uh...He's usually no like that." Buffy apologized, standing and taking Connor's things from the floor, where he'd left them. She quickly emptied the contents of his backpack onto the kitchen counter.

"It's alright. I understand" Angel said quietly, with a very distinct thread of anguish under the comment.

Buffy smiled sadly and continued to sort through the junk spread in front of her. She gently removed the crumpled picture from the bottom of the pile, "It's his favourite thing to do" she told the silent Angel.

"What?"

"He loves to draw, and he's so good at it. Just like his dad" she told him holding up the exceptionally good portrait of two boys playing with a ball. Yes, the boys were out of proportion and the lines were sharp and a little crude but the general impact was that this young boy had a talent beyond his years.

"Yeah, he seems like he's really good at it" Angel whispered, gently touching the paper as though it was the most fragile thing in the world.

"You could have it if you want" Buffy told him.

Angel promptly pulled his gaze to her face, "I have more than enough of his art work. I could cover this fridge at least twenty times" she remarked with a small smile.

"Are you sure he'd be okay with that?" Angel asked sadly, remembering how quickly his son had left the room, after they had been introduced.

"I don't know what that was about" she told him reading the thoughts running through his head, "He goes through phases. Last year, he only dreamed he'd get to meet you, and now he....well, you saw what he did. I'll talk to him tonight" she said.

Angel smiled softly and gently took the picture from her. He stood up, his eyes still glued to the picture he held in his hands. "I better go" he whispered.

She smiled softly, "I'll talk to you soon" he said as he walked through her home, toward the front door. "Bye" she called as the door opened and shut.

*

After she had cleaned up the mugs they had drank their coffee from, as well as the containers Connor's lunch had gone in, she made her way to his room. She knocked twice then slowly opened the door to reveal the dark green room. Connor lay on his bed, staring intently at the page he was drawing on. His red sweater had been thrown on the floor, and so he lay there, with his khakis scrunched up to his knees, sure to leave wrinkles, and a white T-shirt that had been untucked. As she picked up the discarded sweater, she got his attention.

"So, what was that about today, huh?"

Connor flipped over onto his back and looked at his mother. "What was what about?" he replied flippantly. At the age of five, he'd mastered his father's art of diversion as well as how to put on a nonchalant mask, when necessary.

"You know what I mean" she replied, not letting him skip out of an answer.

"Why would I need to see Dad? You've told me everything I need to know about him. He doesn't know anything about me." Connor answered.

"That's not true!" Buffy exclaimed, "you think I haven't told him everything there is to know about you?"

Connor stared at his mother, remaining silent. "Angel phones every night after you've gone to bed, just to hear what you did in school today! You think he'd do that if he didn't care?" Buffy retorted.

"Why? Why is he here? Why now?" Connor asked back.

"He couldn't be here before, Not like he wanted to" Buffy told him, softening her voice immensely.

"Was he sick?" Connor asked, as his mother sat down on the bed beside him.

Buffy shook her head, she motioned for her son to come to her. Connor carefully climbed into his mother's lap and sat himself there, with his mother's arms wrapped around him.

"Can't you just give your Dad a chance to make it up to you?" Buffy asked her soon, rocking him.

Connor nodded, not much but enough Buffy knew he had agreed.

"He really loves you" Buffy whispered against his dark hair, planting a light kiss there.

"Will he take me away from you?" Connor asked in a small voice. Buffy stopped her rocking, and looked at her baby boy.

"Never. Nothing can take me away from you. Why would you think that?" she asked.

Connor looked up at her with large green eyes that were so close to her own it was uncanny. Everyone always assumed he was hers, naturally, just for that reason.

"I've always had just a mommy, I guess, I thought, I could only have a daddy now" Connor replied, so innocently endearing.

"No one will ever take me away from you" Buffy repeated, kissing her son's forehead, then continuing their rocking, soothing away any angst Connor still felt about the confrontation that was ahead.

***

Buffy and Angel had already decided to make their first meeting a group one, to avoid pressure and stress on Connor. So, on Friday night, Angel, Buffy and Connor were waiting in line at the movies to see some new animated feature about happy alien's from another planet.

"What did you do at school today, Connor?" Angel asked after quite a bit of prompting from Buffy.

"Not much," the little boy replied happily, "I mostly watched Christmas movies" It had been the last day of school before Christmas break.

"Didn't you have a party?" his mother asked.

"Oh yeah! It was so funny! Billy Mathers shot juice out his nose cause he was laughing so hard, after Miss Howard sat on Steven's rubber spider. It was so funny! Billy was laughing so hard and Miss Howard was jumping all around and then yelling at Steven and Billy for laughing!" Connor happily explained to his parents taking turns looking at them and rambling on about how Steven had to miss the movie to clean the juice Billy had spilt on the floor. Buffy was smiling good naturedly, but Angel was completely enthralled by the story Connor was weaving, devoting his full attention to his son.

Buffy watched the scene play out before her, smiling contently at the picture the two presented. Once they were seated and the movie started Buffy got a closer look at her son, who had clasped his hand in his father's, and had clasped his other in her own. If she hadn't known better she'd have sworn they were a happy family unit, just the three of them. But, she knew better.

****

Angel glanced down at Connor during the film. The little child had his attention glued to the screen in front of him. Connor was the spitting image of him. He'd noticed a resemblance when he'd taken the infant to Buffy all those years ago, but now it was clearly obvious. The only thing this child held to represent that he belonged to another was the startling hazel, green eyes that he had directed at the screen. Angel was slightly unnerved by this fact. Yes, Darla had green eyes but only one person he knew had eyes the same tint as Connor's.

Angel glanced over his son's head to look at said person, only to find her looking back at him. She smiled a knowing smile and then directed her attention to the movie again. Angel looked at her profile for a long moment, then squeezed his son's hand slightly before returning his attention to the film. Only then noticing how close a grasp Connor held on both his parents.

****

They were home by eight o'clock, but Connor was already asleep in his father's arms, as they walked through Buffy's door.

"Here, I'll take him" she offered, stretching out her arms to take her sleeping son.

"No, it's okay. If it's alright with you, I'll just put him to bed" Angel whispered to her.

"That's fine. It's my old room" she told him.

Angel quietly carried his sleeping son up to the room that used to be his girlfriend's. Buffy set about making herself a cup of tea as Angel got Connor ready for bed.

Angel had just taken off Connor's shirt when the child woke with a groan.

"We're home" Angel told the drowsy child.

Connor nodded his head sleepily, "Where's Mom?" he asked.

"She's downstairs" Angel answered.

Connor nodded his head again, quickly got himself some pyjamas to change into. "I'll be right back" the little boy told him before walking into the bathroom. True to his word, Connor was back in less than five minutes, with his teeth brushed and his pyjamas on. Connor threw his clothes on the floor in a pile, knowing his mother would yell at him tomorrow.

"Will you read me a story?" Connor asked as he climbed into bed. Angel nodded, and was handed a book, by the eager boy. "Mommy always reads to me" he explained.

"I see" came his father's reply. Angel opened the book and read the first few pages before Connor fell asleep again.

"Goodnight, Connor" Angel whispered, and kissed the small scar on his son's cheek.

***

"What took you so long?" Buffy asked, from her spot on the couch, as he came down the stairs.

"Connor woke up and wanted me to read him a story" Angel explained.

Buffy smiled and took another sip from her tea. "Did you read, 'Red Fish, Blue Fish', or 'The Cat in the Hat'?" she asked, knowing her son's obsession with Dr. Seuss.

"We read The Cat in the Hat" Angel told her with a smile.

"Will got him hooked on Seuss as soon as he could stay up long enough for her to read it to him" Buffy explained.

Angel grinned at that, anything that was about his on pretty much set him grinning now a days.

"Well, I better get going" Angel told her.

"Yeah" she replied, standing up to walk him to the door.

"I'll call you and we can set something up for next time" he said, once they reached the door. She smiled and nodded, as Angel left the apartment. She swiftly locked the door and trudged up the stairs to read a book before going to bed.

****

Connor had been excited since Monday, when Angel had phoned, to try and set up a meeting, fro the next Friday. Buffy had heartily agreed to the plan of Connor going to LA for the weekend, since she would spend the whole weekend preparing for a show she was putting on at her what was formerly her mother's gallery. Connor was now packed and nearly bouncing happily in the living room when the doorbell rang.

The small boy quickly ran to get it, throwing open the door and throwing himself against his father's legs. The reaction was quite different from last time Connor had met his father. No one, except for Connor, had expected Connor's actions.

"Hi, there, Connor" Angel greeted after nearly being toppled over by the anxious child. Connor extended his arms and was picked up by his father, who carried him back into the house, closing the door behind them.

Angel carefully placed Connor back on his feet, "Where's your mom?" he asked.

Connor thought about it for a moment then took his father's hand and lead him toward one of the room upstairs. "Mom! Dad's here!" the little boy yelled down the hallway. The door at the end of the hallway opened and Buffy stood there, glaring sternly at her son, but it was obvious she was equally pleased with the boys enthusiasm.

"Thank you, Mr. Summers, but you don't need to yell" she mocked. Connor's face showed he had understood the veiled reprimand, but also that he wasn't entirely apologetic. Angel, by this point, had taken in the white T-shirt and tan suede pants she wore, and how her hair was neatly falling around her shoulders.

"So, what are you two men, going to do this weekend?" Buffy asked, the question more directed at Connor, while she straightened his black corduroy jacket and the red T-shirt underneath.

"I don't know" the little boy told his mother, looking to his father for the answer.

"We're going to see some old friends and maybe go to the amusement park or something along those lines" Angel told his on, watching as the little boys eyes became even more delighted.

"Sounds like my favourite little guy is going to have a busy weekend, in the City of Angels" she teased. Connor smiled at his mother and ran off to get his things from his bedroom. "Don't let him eat too much sugar, or you will have to pry him off the ceiling" she warned with a smile. Angel showed her the precious half smile he would always flash her. "Oh, and here is a key, to the apartment. I may not be back when you guys get home, so you can get in, and also this way you won't have to wait for Connor to open the door for you, and blast your ear drums out, next time." She handed him the small brass key. The mere brush of their hands sent pleasurable sparks up their fingers. Buffy cleared her throat awkwardly, to change the subject.

The two adults walked into Connor's bedroom, where the little boy was deciding between Mr. Gordo and another teddy bear. Eventually deciding on Mr. Gordo, he shoved the pig into his duffel bag along with the rest of his things.

"Have fun this weekend" his mom said, pulling him into a tight hug, which he easily returned. Pulling away the child told her, "Don't worry about me, Mom. It's just like when I stay with Auntie Dawn for the weekend."

Buffy smiled at her son, who was trying to act mature and pretend he wasn't going to miss her, even though they both knew he'd phone her every night before he went to bed, just to tell her he loved her, and did in fact miss her. "I know," she told him, playing along, "be good for your Dad." Connor sent a mischievous smirk over his mother's shoulder, towards his father. "Connor Darien Summers" Buffy scolded, receiving a miffed look from her son, but a nod none the less. "Good" she told him, pulling him into another brief hug. "You better get going" Buffy said, sending a glance toward Angel, who still stood in the doorframe, watching them.

"Yeah" Angel relied, taking Connor's hand and leading them out of the room, and down the stairs.

"Bye Mom" Connor yelled, before she heard the door open and shut, behind them.

****

Angel pulled the classic black convertible up to the looming hotel. "You own this whole thing?" Connor asked in amazement, looking at the structure.

Angel chuckled lightly at his son's dismay, "Yes. I own the whole thing."

Connor jumped out of the car as soon as it was fully stopped. "Can I have my own room?" Connor asked, nearly bouncing in excitement, as Angel pulled his duffel bag from thee trunk.

"I'll tell you what, Connor. You can pick which ever room you like" Angel told him with a grin.

Connor whooped in delight, then charged up the path toward the door, as fast as his little legs would carry him. The little boy yanked open the heavy doors, then skidded to a halt as he spotted the four other people in the lobby. "Hi" he said, unsure of who these people were.

The tall black man smiled at him and waved to Connor. "How's it goin' little man?" he asked affectionately. Connor smiled nervously, but didn't reply. He scanned over the very pregnant woman who'd had her nose a book, but now smiled at him affectionately, as well. A guy who looked like his grandpa Giles was looking at him, but not showing any emotion, merely taking in Connor's presence. The last woman with short dark hair, had tears in her eyes, she was staring at him like she'd seen a ghost.

Connor turned around when his father opened the door behind him. "Hey guys, you remember Connor right?" Angel asked the group.

"Yeah, we were just getting to know the kid better" Gunn teased. Angel knelt down beside Connor, "These are my friends. That's Gunn, Wesley, Fred, and Cordelia" Angel pointed them out in turn, stopping on the teary eyed brunette.

"Why don't we take you stuff up to a room?" Fred asked, easing the tension that was building as Cordelia silently stared at Connor. Putting out her hand for Connor to take, she lead him upstairs. Angel watched as they walked away, or in Fred's case waddled.

"Any room in particular that you want?" Fred asked as they turned a corner.

Angel looked back at Cordelia who was staring after Connor. Gunn sat beside his friend, "you okay?" he asked gently.

Cordelia nodded dumbly. She turned to Angel, "he looks good" she commented, tears still clogging her throat.

Angel nodded, and smiled sadly at Cordelia. He knew she had thought they would all pitch in and care for Connor when he'd been first born, and he'd disappointed her, but there was nothing he would do differently, even if he could.

I guess we should get out of here" Cordelia said after a long pause, "we should let you guys do some father son bonding this weekend." Before letting any one else reply, Cordelia grabbed her gear and left.

Angel looked to Gunn, "I'll make sure she gets home okay."

Wesley cleared his throat loudly, "Perhaps Cordelia is correct. Once Fred gets back down here, we'll leave you two to bond, as well."

Angel nodded, and smiled gratefully. As much as he loved his friends, this was weekend for himself and Connor.

Almost as soon as Wes had finished his sentence, the excited five year old, bounded down the stairs, followed at a much more leisurely pace, Fred. "Hey Dad! I picked a room where I can see all the way back to Sunnydale from the window!" Connor exclaimed. Angel chuckled and smiled at his son.

Angel looked up to see that Wesley had wrapped an arm lovingly around his wife's waist. "You'll get to have all this in a few years too, you know" Angel commented, seeing Wesley's amused face.

"I wouldn't have it any other way" the Brit answered, lightly kissing his wife's cheek.

****

The weekend flew by. It was Sunday night, and Connor was still so loaded with sugar he go on all night. They had spent the weekend shopping for Christmas presents and generally goofing off. Saturday was spent at the Santa Monica pier, at the carnival, riding roller coasters and eating cotton candy. The effects of the spun sugar never seemed to rub off the young boy, since he'd been fidgety all Sunday. Connor bounced at his side, while Angel opened the door.

As soon as the wood door opened, Connor pushed past Angel and into the house. The child skidded to a stop as he saw the festive decorations spread over everything.

"Wow" the little boy whispered in awe, looking at the large Christmas tree in the living room, filled with gifts underneath.

"I'm glad you like it" his mother said, from the dining room entrance. The child was silent, still taking in the winter wonderland around him. "Why don't you take your things upstairs, and get ready for bed?" his mother suggested.

Connor nodded dumbly and walked slowly up the stairs, letting the small, glittery, Christmas trinkets catch his eyes.

"He's never seen the house so decorated before" Buffy explained to Angel.

He smiled at her, "You don't decorate?" he asked.

She laughed softly and moved past him to head into the living room, "No, I've just never had the time to go all out before" she stated. Promptly, she flopped down, face first onto the sofa. "I don't think I'll be doing it again either" she remarked, tiredly.

Angel quietly entered the living room, his eyes not leaving the smooth expanse of back, her back-less halter top left for him. "I guess it'd be a lot of work" he whispered hoarsely sitting at the other end of the couch.

"Yeah" she sighed, looking around at her handy work. After a long, semi comfortable silence, Buffy remarked, "I think I'm getting old. I hurt my back putting up that Christmas tree"

Angel chuckled at her comment. Carefully he shifted up the couch, and gently began to massage the tension from her shoulders. "Better?" he asked, again his voice clogged with desire. She moaned softly under his ministrations, but didn't comment.

***

Connor heard his mother and father talking downstairs, so he quietly left his room and padded down the stairs. He was holding Mr. Gordo tightly under one arm, as he peeked through the slats of the banister. He watched as his father slowly began to massage his mother's shoulders. A contented smile spread over his mother's face, as his father asked if it helped at all. Connor watched as they exchanged a few more whispered words, then his father leaned over and pushed his mother's hair away from her neck and kissed along her upper back. The young boy watched silently, as his mother began to roll over. Connor decided quickly, hat he didn't need a bedtime story, and just as quietly as he had come, he slipped back to his room.

****

Buffy was very aware of Angel's kisses along the back of her throat, and behind her ear. She didn't know what had instigated them, but she wasn't in a mood to stop him. Likewise, Angel had no idea what had drawn him to kiss her, but if she wasn't complaining, he wasn't going to stop. Slowly, Buffy turned over on the couch. His kisses remained along her collarbone, and he spent particular care, teasing around the scar his bite had left, long ago. Beyond his control, Angel's hands began tug at the strings holding the fabric she was calling a top to her body. Her eyes caught some movement on the stairs. He felt her body tense under him. Taking the action to mean something different than it did, he quickly pulled away and nearly leapt from the couch.

"I should be going" he said as he strode toward the door.

Buffy bolted off the couch after him, she followed him to the door, but was careful not to let her eagerness for him to stay, show. "Yeah," she replied, "thanks for taking Connor out for the weekend."

"He's my son, I'll spend any time I can with him" Angel told her, as they stood in front of the door.

"Then you're already one step ahead of my dad" she teased.

Silence fell over them, nothing stirred in the house, things were so quiet that even without enhanced hearing, they could hear the pounding of each other's hearts.

"I guess, Connor fell asleep, without a story tonight" she commented when the tension was too much.

Angel looked down at her, soft lighting from the living room was giving her a nearly ethereal glow. "I...I really need to go" Angel told her, stumbling over his own words. She nodded, with a soft smile. There was another long pause while they each stared at the other, neither making any attempt to leave. Suddenly, Angel's arms were wrapped around her waist, and her arms around his neck. They kissed, each releasing their pent up longing and passion. She was pressed against the door, as Angel groped to find the lock. She wrapped her legs around his waist, never letting her lips leave some place, on his body. Together they fumbled up the stairs to her bedroom, careful to be quiet while Connor slept on.

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