Author: Chrissy
Rating: over all R unless noted otherwise
Couples: W/A
Spoilers: I don't know, do I have to do this?
Feedback: Please don't make me beg!!!!!!
Distribution: You know who you are. If you want just ask!
Disclaimer: I am not smart enough to create characters such as these. They belong to Joss (AKA God) duh Want to read my other stories, http://www.geocities.com/rrfc1/demondreaming.html
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~Part: 1~
"Lorne! LORNE?!" Angel came bursting through the front doors of the Hyperion, his face set in determination. His black leather trench, his pride and joy, hung from him ripped and torn. His face looked as though he had used it to stop a run away eighteen wheeler.
"Did you bellow?" The green tinted demon asked tiredly. Looking up to see the beaten vampire his face remained impassive. Seeing Angel like this no longer shocked him. What would shock him is if Angel returned one night and didn't look like this. That or maybe a trace of a smile on his friend's face.
"I'm running out of options here." Angel spat out in disgust. "Have you found anything else yet?"
"Well if I could read Yogondic I might have something..." Seeing that his sarcasm wasn't getting him anywhere, Lorne stepped out from behind the counter. "Listen Angelcakes we're running on low here. Let's face it, I'm not all about the book stuff. Put a drink in my hand and give me a smoky room, that's where I do my magic. Perhaps we should call Cordelia?" Looking his unhinged friend over from head to toe, Lorne didn't really think that Cordelia could find anymore in the books about other dimensions than he had. But maybe she could bring Angel back from whatever world he had buried himself into since Conner's disappearance.
"We've already gone over this. She's with Groo, on vacation." Lorne let out a long sigh.
"You know that Fred and Gunn are doing their best Angel, but they have zero."
"Yeah they're working with that traitor." Angel growled bitterly. His hands unconsciously formed into fists at his side whenever he thought of the bastard he once called a friend.
"Angel, be reasonable. I don't know how many times we all have to tell you that none of us have contacted Wesley."
"Then where are they? If they aren't with that kidnapping son of a bitch, then why aren't they here?"
"Oh I don't know." Lorne snapped back snidely. "Maybe it has to do with your charming disposition. Your sunny smiles." Lorne saw Angel's eyes flash yellow, and knew he had overstepped his bounds. "Angel we all know that you are grieving. We all are. But you need to stop pushing away the people that are trying to help you."
Angel bit his tongue and kept his sarcastic remark to himself. Lorne didn't deserve to be the brunt of his wraith. But, the jerk that did wasn't around. "I know you're doing the best that you can. I'm sorry. But it's just killing me not knowing where Conner is. If he's alive, hurting. I have to find him!"
"We will, have faith my evil tempered fiend."
Angel stood silently fighting with himself. "Lorne there's a group of people that I need you to call. They're good at researching." Angel strode over to the counter that was littered with books and wadded up pieces of paper. Jotting the number down quickly, he went to hand it to Lorne but didn't let go when the other demon went to grab it. "Under no circumstances do I want them to come here."
"But--."
"No buts. I mean it Lorne." Disappearing upstairs Lorne looked down at the piece of paper and let out a long whistle.
~=*=~
"Nothing spells pathetic better than three single young adults shoving pizza in their mouths on a Saturday night." Throwing the crust of his last piece of pizza into the greasy cardboard box, Xander let out a loud sigh of disgust. "We're such losers."
"I like to think that our singleness is by choice, not something that was forced on us." Willow used her most cheerful voice.
"Right," Buffy nodded with determination. "We don't need to have that someone special in our lives that makes us feel alive, special and loved." Her smile faulted until she toppled over onto the couch. "We're going to die alone and bitter. Willow and I are going to known as those weird old women with all the cats. Xander is going to be some balding potbellied old man that always talks about the good ole days."
"Gee thanks Buff, could have done without those visuals." Making a grab for the pizza box, Xander went to get rid of the trash.
"When exactly did we become such retched freaks?" Xander rejoined them on the couch in front of the TV.
"High School." The girls answered in unison.
"But hey we still have each other." Willow cracked a smile at Xander's forced enthusiasm. "We could be in LA with Angel, Wes and Cordy. Have a business that makes money. Live in a large hotel and...Is anyone else feeling like we got jipped?"
"Well they do have that evil law firm to deal with." Buffy pointed out.
"We've got Spike." Xander shot back. "Chip or no chip we always have to be on our toes." Picking up the remote he missed the blush that stained Buffy's cheeks.
"Ok, what about the fact that their first office went up in a big boom?" Willow's hands went all wild indicating the big explosion.
"The Magic shop gets torn apart once a week." Xander groaned. He didn't want to think about the shop, because it always made him think about Anya. Who had been gone for over a week. There was no way to explain his stupidness of his actions the day he left her at the altar. He had found that special someone and in his usual Xander Harris fashioned screwed it up royally.
It had been Willow, who ended up volunteered to run the shop in the ex-demon's absence, even if it meant that she would have to be around all the hocusy pocusy stuff. Giles was already making plans to return to the states, but not without a lot of stuffy English muttering.
"They aren't stuck here on the Hellmouth waiting for the next lunatic to come out of the woodwork." Xander went on trying to push the intense pain in his heart aside.
"We were screwed." Willow muttered into the pillow she held to her chest.
"You can say that." Buffy second.
As they sat in self pity the phone started ringing. "I'll get it." Willow said without enthusiasm as Buffy and Xander stared vacantly at the television set.
"Hello?"
"Yes I'm looking for Buffy Summers or a Willow Rosenberg?" A lyrical voice spoke after a moment's hesitation.
"This is Willow." The voice didn't sound familiar and the hairs on the back of Willow's neck stood on end.
"You have no idea how glad I am that you're home tonight. Kids nowadays are usually out painting the town red..."
"Wow can't tell you how happy I am." Wrinkling her nose Willow wondered again who could be on the other end of the line. "Not to be rude..."
"Oh where are my manners. I'm Lorne, a friend of Angel's." At the vampire's name Willow's ears perked.
"I've never heard of you before."
"Well don't stroke my ego or anything." Willow couldn't help but laugh. "But in all seriousness some real bad mojo has gone down and well I really need some help in the research department."
Willow felt her blood run cold. "Angelus?"
"Dear Lord no. I wouldn't be caught five states away if that beast showed up." There was a long silence. "It's actually worse." The voice lost its charm, and a sadness that reached Willow's core spoke into her ear. "Conner was taken."
"Conner? Who's that?" Willow searched her mind wondering if she should know who Conner was.
"Excuse me?" There was a lot of loud swearing. "I swear when I get my hands on that... He never called to let you all know?"
Willow was losing her patience. "No, I guess not."
"It's Angel's son. He was-." Lorne cut off by laughter on the other end of the line.
~=*=~
Standing in the archway that led to the nursery, Angel stared at the crib that his son had not too long ago slept in. The stuffed animals that once brought a smile to the infant's face were all lined up inside, alone. No baby to entertain, or loll to sleep.
It'd been over a week since that horrible night, where he had to stand witness to Holtz jumping through the portal that wouldn't allow him to follow suit. Helplessly he watched as his son was taken from him, and he vowed he would find a way to find his son.
An empty vow. That's all it was. No one knew where Holtz had taken Conner. No matter how bad he beat up the usual contacts or how bad he was beaten up there weren't any leads.
Wesley. That stupid pathetic bastard was to blame for all this. Had he just been up front and honest they could've protected Conner. Even if it meant having to send his son away, no matter how painful it would have been, Angel would've have done it if it meant that Conner would be safe. But he hadn't been given the choice. Some English asshole made it for him.
What a senile fool he had been to let Wesley take the baby. Go to the park my ass. Angel thought bitterly. He should've known that something was up. What kind of parent was he for letting another person take his infant for the night? If he could just have that night back. He'd snap Wes's neck and take Conner away.
Lorne had been right about Fred and Gunn. They were just as angry at the ex-Watcher as he was. It had been his angry worlds though that had driven his friends away. That he couldn't blame on anyone else but himself. And now he was dragging the gang from Sunnydale into this. But he was desperate, and would stop at nothing to get Conner back.
He'd been serious about not wanting them here while they helped. He'd already proven what a jerk he could be. There was no telling what he'd say or do around Buffy and her friends. It was best for all that were concerned to stay as far away from him and the mess that he was in.
~Part: 2~
"Oh that's good!" Willow laughed as tears formed in her eyes. "Is Spike there? Did he put you up to this?" Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she started hiccupping.
"I'm glad you're finding this to be some huge joke." Lorne's exasperated voice cut Willow's laughter off. There was something about the desperation that made Willow stop.
"You're being serious aren't you? But how?...why?...WHO?" Her voice rose an octave as she felt her head get all fuzzy.
"Breathe with me here." Lorne soothed as Willow gulped in air like a drowning swimmer.
"But he can't have a baby. He's a vampire!" Peaking a look over her shoulder in Xander and Buffy's direction Willow stepped into the hallway.
"Really missed that. Here I thought he had a bad case of psoriasis."
"Okay start at the beginning."
"Really don't have a year or two to explain it all. But here's the basics." Willow waited. "He and Darla--."
"Darla!?" Willow shouted as bile rose in her throat. Buffy and Xander were by her side in a second. Not paying any attention to their questioning glances, Willow felt her face grow warm. "That murderous bitch is dead. I saw Angel turn her to dust!" Tears burned her eyes as she squeezed them shut tightly.
"Listen I know this is hard to hear, and I wish that I wasn't the one that had to tell you this." Lorne's voice soothed again.
"You're lying! Even if Darla hadn't been killed Angel would never do that to me...to any of us." She was going to get sick, she just knew it. "She killed one of my best friends." Her voice sounded child like as she choked back the sob that was threatening to escape.
"I didn't say it was a good story." Lorne tried to reason. "Wolfram and Hart brought her back."
Willow tried to block out Lorne's voice as he explained what had happened in LA over the last year. As soon as Lorne stopped talking Willow opened her eyes again. She had never in her life felt such disgust for a person than she did towards Angel at that moment. He had willingly slept with the enemy. One that had taken one of her friends without a second thought.
"Sweetheart are you still there?" Lorne asked.
"Yeah." Licking her dry lips, Willow took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "What is it that you need us to do?"
"You'll help?" Lorne sounded a little shocked but quickly recovered. "I need to know all there is on this Sahjahn guy. What his mojo is, where he's from. We need to get a lead as to where Holtz would've taken Conner."
"Fine, we'll call if we find anything." Quickly hanging up the phone, Willow leaned up against the wall and slid down when her legs gave out.
"Is it bad?" Xander joined her on the floor taking one of her hands into his.
Nodding numbly Willow told herself not to cry. That this wasn't the time or place. She had to tell Buffy and Xander everything that she just learned without falling apart. But honestly the betrayal she felt formed into a knot in the center of her throat.
"Wills please tell us." Buffy coaxed.
"Angel's son is missing." Willow whispered. "His and *Darla's* baby was kidnapped." Xander paled, for once speechless. "A friend of his called saying that they need help finding him before it's too late."
"What about Wes and Cordelia?"
"Cordelia is off on some vacation and Wes...Wes is the reason Conner is missing. He took the baby and was attacked..." Willow felt the tears falling down her cheeks. "That bastard slept with Darla."
"Wes slept with...? Wait I'm lost here." Blinking Xander tried to piece it all together. "As in dead Darla? Darla that got a big ole stake in the heart Darla. The one that was a pile of dust on the Bronze floor Dar-."
"Yes Xander that one!" Buffy snapped.
Willow's emerald green eyes opened and stared over at Buffy. "You knew!" Fidgeting, Buffy avoided eye contact. "I can't believe this. You knew that Darla was back and not once did you say anything to us."
Xander backed away slowly from Buffy. "What were you thinking Buffy? What would have happened if she came back here? We would've been totally unprepared."
"Angel asked me not to say anything. I didn't know that they slept together until he called me a few months ago and told me she came back pregnant." Buffy pleaded with her friends. "I didn't want to bring up bad memories."
"Verses the happy ones that we were living through already?" Willow snapped shoving herself away from the wall. Walking through the front hall to the doorway, Buffy stood and followed.
"Wills where are you going?"
"There's an innocent child missing that didn't ask for any of this crap, and I plan on helping. If you want to join me I'll be at the magic shop." Opening the door she stepped through it before slamming it shut with all her might.
"That went well." Buffy sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yeah gee wonder why she'd get upset." Sending the blonde a disgusted glare Xander followed Willow out into the night.
~~*~~
"So tell me more about this Willow girl." Lorne stood feet behind Angel, as the vampire held one of Conner's teddy bears in his hands.
"What is there to know?" Angel asked as he placed the stuffed toy back into the crib. Keeping his back to Lorne, Angel hung his head.
"Well I was just wondering how important she was to you." Lorne said off handedly, trying to keep his tone as natural as possible.
Looking over his shoulder, Angel studies Lorne for a moment. "She's Buffy's best friend. Willow's been studying magic for a couple of years now. When it comes to computers she's almost scary."
"I didn't ask for her Bio." Lorne stepped closer to the crib and felt his throat tighten.
Staying silent for a moment, Angel picked up another one of Conner's toys. Bringing it to his nose he took a deep breath in. "She restored my soul. Willow's sweet and kind. Never has a bad thing to say about anybody."
Reaching out, Lorne touched the blanket that hung over the railing. "Good."
"Why?" Angel asked.
"Because you've got one pissed off witch, with scary computer skills that can't say a *nice* thing about you looking for your son." Lorne took one last look around the nursery before turning around and walking toward the door.
"Are they going to help?" Angel's voice was low and unemotional.
"You are one mean prick aren't you?" Lorne winced. "Yes she said she'd help."
"And they're not coming here."
"Angelcakes you couldn't pay that girl enough money to come here." Shutting the door softly behind him, Angel let out a long sigh of relief. They were going to help. It didn't matter that Willow may never speak to him again, but with her and the others helping he may have a fighting chance at getting his son back.
~=*=~
Xander stood across the street from the magic shop. This would be the first time he'd been here since Anya left town. Taking a deep breath and shoving his hands into his pockets Xander put one foot in front of the other and headed to the front door. Hearing the familiar sound of the ringing bell made his heart ache, but he refused to let that stop him.
There was sounds coming from the back of the shop, slamming books on the tabletop and uttered curses. Silently Xander stepped further into the store and watched as Willow wiped furiously at the tears that fell from her eyes.
"Mind if I join in?" Willow nearly jumped a mile high and let out a shriek of surprise. "Sorry."
"No that's okay." Settling herself back in the chair, Willow trained her eyes back on the book. "How could he do this?"
"Who Angel?" Thousands of quips and insults ran through his mind, but seeing the hurt that Willow was in he decided against them. "I don't know Wills. I'm sure he wasn't thinking of her as the person who tore our safe little world apart. He didn't even know Jesse."
"Xander Harris are you defending Angel?" Her head snapping up, she looked wide eyed at her life long friend.
"No...Well maybe in a way." Taking the seat across from her Xander looked over at her seriously. "You know that I'm not Angel's biggest fan. But he's just lost his child-."
"That he had with that murdering whore." Willow interrupted.
"That he had with that murdering whore." Xander affirmed. "But his child is missing Willow. Think about if that was your child that was gone. I think right now we need to focus on helping him find...Conner right?"
Willow nodded.
"We need to focus on Conner. After we find the kid we can take all the time in the world to hate Angel for being such an undead jerk."
"When did you become the voice of reason? Are you feeling well?" Placing her hand on Xander's forehead in mockery, he gave her an old fashioned Xander smile.
"Shh, not so loud or they'll take away my decoder ring at the prestigious 'Idiot's are Us' club." Seeing a little twinkle enter her eye, Xander reached for a nearby book. "Okay are you ready for some ass kicking research?"
"Is anyone welcome to join in?" Buffy's soft voice came from the shadows and Xander watched the gleam leave Willow's eyes. "I'm sorry about not telling you guys. It was really selfish of me."
"Yes it was." Willow met Buffy's eyes head on. "I understand that it must have hurt to find out what Angel did. But when you knew that Darla was back from hell you should've said something."
"There was so much going on. There was Glory and my Mom. If I didn't say anything then in a way it wasn't real."
Willow couldn't help but feel betrayed by two of the most important people in her life. Thank the Goddess Xander hadn't known or she'd fall apart. The last year had been an emotional roller coaster that wouldn't stop. First bring Buffy back from the dead, Giles leaving, then her addiction with magic. What she didn't need now was to find out that her friends were big fat liars.
"Willow really I'm sorry."
"I know Buffy. Xander's right we need to put our energy into finding Angel's son." Picking up a book and holding it out to the blonde girl that had changed her life in so many ways. They'd get past this, they always did.
~Part: 3~
"No." Willow repeated for the tenth time in the last hour. Buffy and Xander gave a small shrug and looked back at their books.
It had been three days of dead ends and false leads. Every night Lorne would call to see what they had found and share his own misfortune. They were all going no where and fast.
"Willow one of us needs to be there. We're in the dark trying to find out information that's over a hundred miles away, it's useless." Buffy looked up, deciding not to take no for an answer this time. "I'd do it but I have Dawn to think about."
"I could always watch her." Willow offered.
"You know I can't do that." Buffy shook her head. "Not after family services stopped by last week when Dawn ditched school."
"Fine what about Xander?" Standing up from the table to put back the old leather text she had been reading from Willow didn't see the horrified expression on Xander's face.
"Angel doesn't want any of us there, I really can't see Xander being there as a good thing." Following Willow to the bookcase, Buffy took her friend's hands into her own. Looking into Willow's eyes, Buffy thought a moment before she spoke. "I know that you're still angry at Angel for what he did. We all are. But Willow we're getting nowhere here. We need someone in LA to do some scouting around. We're not asking you to work side by side with Angel. You don't even have to talk to him."
Hanging her head in defeat Willow groaned out loud. "Fine you win I'll go. But I'm only doing this for Conner."
Giving her friend a large smile Buffy wrapped her arms around Willow and gave a big squeeze. She'd already spoken to Lorne and he was already anticipating Willow's arrival. Honestly Buffy thought it was going to take a lot more pleading. "Great. Why don't you go and pack, Xander said he'd drop you off."
"You knew all along I'd cave didn't you?" Pouting slightly, Willow picked up her jacket and purse.
Neither Buffy nor Xander had the energy to look guilty. "Yeah pretty much."
With one last sigh Willow left the Magic shop wondering what she had gotten herself into.
~~*~~~
"Lorne I need those notes from last night." Buttoning the last button on his shirt, Angel stopped short when he saw Fred, Gunn and Lorne huddled together. "What are you two doing here?"
"Don't worry Dog we were just about to cut lose." Sending Angel a stony glare, Gunn took one of Fred's hands into his. Turning back to Lorne, Gunn slapped his friend on the back. "We'll see what we can find."
Lorne nodded his head sadly and followed Gunn and Fred to the door. It was stupid really. Splitting up forces now, at a time they should all be working together to locate Conner. But Angel's anger was getting the best of him, having him say and do hurtful things to people that didn't deserve it.
Pulling back on Gunn's hand Fred stopped and spun on her heel. "We know that you're not mad at us Angel. But at the situation. When you're ready, we'll be here you know."
It was odd that his chest could hurt so painfully even though it was just a cavity that held his unbeating heart. Fred's soft eyes looking at him, trying to let him know that no matter what they would stand by him. It was these emotions that he could do without right now. They got in the way, making him dwell on things other than finding his son.
With a curt nod, Angel didn't say a word, didn't try to stop a teary eyed Fred as Gunn lead her out the doors.
"It wasn't their fault you know." Lorne was leaning on the counter, his face impassive.
"I know that Lorne."
"And they're working their asses off trying to get just a crumb to throw our way."
"I know Lorne." Gritting his teeth together, Angel brushed past the green demon and headed toward the back office.
"I sure hope you're at least civil to Willow if she stops by." Muttering under his breath Lorne shoved his hands into his pockets and waited until the big undead jerk realized what had just been said. Three, Two, One. There it was, the stiffening of the back that made Lorne wince at just the thought of the fit the pain in the ass vamp was going to throw.
"I distinctly remember saying that I don't want them to come here." Angel hadn't turned around, so Lorne didn't see the murderous gleam in the vampire's eyes.
"Yeah well we don't always get what we want my cranky walking corpse. They're getting nowhere and need someone here to sniff around."
"So they send their weakest member to do that? You don't know Willow. She'll get eaten alive out on the streets." Spinning around Angel's face was twisted with anger as he brought a hand up to rub some of tension out of his neck.
"She doesn't need to stay here." Lorne pointed out. "In fact I believe the little cuttie said something on the lines that she *wouldn't* stay here. But there were some pretty colorful words added."
Closing his eyes and trying to clear his head, a growl escaped his chest as he imagined Willow in some cheap hotel, by herself in LA. It would be sending a lamb to slaughter. "Just make sure she stays out of my way. Put her in Fred's room."
"Angelcakes I don't think you heard me here." Lorne shook his head. "She said under no circumstances that she'd stay here. When I said colorful words I meant like a rainbow."
"I can't let her roam around town unprotected!" Anger burned his insides and made his head pound.
"She's a witch, grew up on the Hellmouth, and isn't some child to push around." Seeing that the conversation was getting no where fast, Lorne returned to the desk that had of late been his home. He slept there ate there and worked there. Really it wasn't a bad desk, and the chair was as comfortable as a cement block.
"When is she going to be here?" Heading toward the stairs he briefly hesitated as he waited for Lorne's answer. He was instead greeted my silence. "Lorne?"
"Did you say something? I couldn't hear it over your cursing and pouting."
"Lorne?" Angel's low growl threatened, but Lorne stayed cool and aloft. "When?"
"Angel does it matter?" Looking up from the desk to the spot Angel stood on the steps he rolled his red eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. "Xander dropped her off about an hour ago. She said to call her when I knew you'd be gone awhile."
The truth cut him like a knife, as Angel stood motionless. He was getting what he asked for, so why did it bother him knowing that the redhead was in town and was trying her damnedest to stay at arm length. Emotions were a bitch. Always messing with life. How many times had emotions interfered in his life? Always. Well he wasn't going to let it interfere again, not this time when the stakes were so high.
But he also wasn't going to just allow Willow to stay at some hotel either. He just knew that she'd get into trouble if he did. "What hotel?"
"I'm sorry I don't speak asshole." Lorne busied himself with the books in front of him. "But with all this research I'm really brushing up on my Quntairian." Licking his index finger, Lorne made a show of turning the page.
"Lorne stop playing games and just tell me. The sooner she's here the sooner I can get back to searching for Conner."
"Sorry Angel. Made a promise to a lady." Lorne picked his head up and gave Angel a lethal glare.
"That promise might get her killed." Placing his hands on the desk Lorne was occupying Angel leaned in.
"What is this? Are my ears deceiving me?" In a mucking defiance Lorne lifted a cupped hand to his ear. "Are you showing concern for someone?"
"Cut the crap." Seeing that the green skinned red eyed annoying pain in the butt wasn't going to listen, Angel stood up, a sneer cemented to his face.
"She's safe Angelcakes." Growing tired already of exchanging words with the vampire that was his friend, Lorne backed down. "I'm sure you'll run into her sooner or later. But I won't be the one to tell you where she's at."
With one last disgusted look, Angel spun on his heal and headed to the stairs.
~~=*=~~
Looking around the small room. The place gave him the wiggins. It reminded him of that hole Faith stayed in when she first came to town. But with limited funds there wasn't really any other option. Rationally he understood why Willow protested so venomously when Buffy suggested that she stay at the hotel. But he was known for his stupid decisions and ability to hold a grudge.
He'd known Willow for what seemed like forever. In that lifespan he had done some pretty amazingly crappy things to his little pal. But no matter what he did, or how many times he had been the reason for her tears she'd never held it against him. Sure she'd get mad, no one knew her temper better than he did. But that was all it ever was, a quick flash of temper and all was well again in the land of the Willster.
Walking over to the window and moving the curtain back, Xander took a quick scan at the street below. The neon lights didn't really help lighten the area, instead it created more shadows. Shadows were big and scary things could hide. "Will are you sure you want to stay here?"
Finishing the last of her unpacking Willow wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and gave a jerky nod. Honestly no she wasn't too sure she wanted to stay here where the locks barely held the door shut, the water ran brown, and god only knew if the sheets had actually been changed. But she was here in LA, and her anger at one undead jerk took precedence over her nervousness.
"Xander please stop asking me that." Picking up one of her duffel bags she headed over to the closet only to jump back when the door started to fall toward her. "So this isn't the Ritz."
"This place is worse than that dump back home that got condemned." Xander tried to reason, turning his attention back to the window.
"I'm fine, so stop worrying. How bout we go and find some place to eat before you head home?" Taking a look are the dirty little room, Willow really just wanted to get out of the hole that was to be her home until Conner was found.
"Only if it's my treat." The thought of food made his stomach rumble and he cast a cheeky grin at Willow.
~Part: 4~
"Well your highness we're back at the castle." Pulling into an empty parking spot, Xander killed the engine. "Okay this is the last time I'm asking."
"Xander no... You may not borrow my black lace teddy." Wiggling her eyebrows at him in an attempt at humor she hoped he wouldn't ask her if she really wanted to stay here on her own. Because she felt her iron clad resolve quickly fading away the closer it came for Xander to leave.
"Willow." It was like a second sense he had with his childhood friend. He could feel the tension oozing out of her. But also he knew that this was something that she had to prove to herself. "If you need anything call. I'll be here as fast as this gas guzzling, fan belt squealing death trap of a car can get me here."
"I know Xander, but I'll be fine."
Looking away from her emerald eyes he started to fidget with the keys that were still in the ignition. "I really hate thinking this much less saying it. But about the magic."
Feeling her body tense, Willow tried to pry her fingers from the cars tacky seat cover. "Xander I have already given my word. No more magic."
Silence ran through the car. "That's not what I was going to say."
"It wasn't?" Frowning, Willow twisted in her seat to get a better look at Xander. "Then what were you going to say?"
"I know that you and Buffy really got into it about, well you know about what happened with Dawn and all." He hated talking about this. The one time Willow had really messed up bad seemed to never fade into the background where everyone else's mistakes lived.
"I almost killed her. I'm no worse than a druggie."
"I never thought that, and honestly I still don't. I think it was the power you were addicted to. I mean who wouldn't be? Our lives are so out of control. Like everyone other sorry idiot in this world we have no idea what tomorrow brings, but we also get the pleasure of not knowing what new demon tomorrow will bring as well. You found a way to manipulate some of the uncertainties in life. Sometimes I was really jealous of that."
"Are you kidding? Xander I almost killed Dawn. I was a bitch to Giles, in the big drop a house on me kind of way. Do you know that I threatened him?"
"Yeah. But you're losing my point here. Willow all of us have gone overboard a time or two. Some of us have turned into murdering psycho lets end the world lunatics. You're backslide was no worse then any of ours."
"But-."
"Not done, hold that thought." Xander covered her mouth with his hand. He wanted to get the words out before she started to argue. "I'm not telling you to go hog wild like you were, I'm saying if you get into danger and using magic means that you can walk away alive, do it."
Tears filled Willow's eyes as her best friend took his hand away from her mouth. "But what if I get addicted again?"
"I'm not telling you to go see the corner magic junkie again Wills. But if something happens I'm here for you. Okay?" Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, he smiled softly at her. "All right enough of this adult crap. Let's get you up in your room."
"Xander you need to get going, and I really need to do this on my own." Wrapping her arms around his neck she gave him a hearty squeeze.
Taking a look around the dark parking lot, Xander felt that letting her go up alone was a very bad idea. "Are you sure?"
Pointing to her serious expression. "Resolve face."
"No that's the famous 'I'm trying to be brave but it's not working face'." Xander shot back. He knew that Willow would be staying on her own. But the closer it came to the time he needed to leave the more panicked he became. This was no place for Willow to stay. It was dirty and dangerous. He'd feel a whole lot better tying her up and dropping her off at Angel's doorstep.
Wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans, he took a deep steady breath. Willow was an adult. She has faced danger a million times and always walked away. He reminded himself. "You can't stay here." Well there went treating her like a resourceful woman that could take care of herself.
"What?" Willow's eyebrows shot up.
"No self-respecting Pimp would let one of his girls go in there...for an hour let alone an entire night."
"Not helping Xander." Willow bit her lower lip, almost drawing blood. "This is about an innocent baby."
"You're sure." He felt like a bastard leaving her here like this. Every fiber in his body was screaming that this was a bad idea.
"Yes." Turning her gaze back on the run down motel she took a deep breath. "Yes." She said with more conviction. "I can do this. No I will do this."
"Fine. But I'm telling you Willow. If anything happens and I mean anything. I want you to call Angel. I don't care what beef we have with him. He'll help and your safety comes first." He only prayed that Angel would be able to show up in time should anything actually happen.
"Girl Scout promise." She held up a hand.
"You weren't a Girl Scout Willow. Something about woman's lib and all that."
"True." Putting her hand in front of her mouth she spit upon her palm. "Then sandbox promise."
Feeling the corners of his mouth tick, Xander extended his hand and gripped onto her tiny delicate one. "Better."
They sat there for a moment before letting go of one another's hand and wiping the moist hands on their pants. "Well I better go."
Opening the door slowly she told herself to be brave.
"I'm gonna call like twenty times a day."
"That's all?"
"Okay you got me, fifty. Buffy will probably call twenty. Take care Willow."
"I will." Stepping out of Xander's car she closed the door behind her. Throwing him a small wave from over her shoulder she squared her shoulders and headed to the entrance. With every step she took she felt some of the tension ease from her body. 'I think I can I think I can'. The chant grew with every step.
As soon as the entrance door closed behind her she watched as Xander put the car in reverse and pulled out of the parking lot. 'Lions and Tigers and Bears oh my...oh shut up'.
~~~*~~~
"Lorne." Angel walked through the front door with a large box in his hands.
"Yes my mighty slave driver?" Lorne's singsong voice came from behind the computer.
Stopping and sending a scowl towards his green friend, Angel shifted the box in his hands. "I need you to get the room next to mine ready for company."
"Reeeeeally?" Lorne commented dryly.
Ignoring the evident sarcasm, Angel headed for the basement stairs. "I have a feeling we're going to have a guest tonight."
Lorne's head shot up at the vampire's smug words. "And who is brave enough to venture into the beast's castle?" When Angel didn't answer him, Lorne jumped up form behind the desk to follow his friend to the basement stairs. "Angel?"
Hearing Lorne follow him down into the basement, Angel ignored the question. "I have a lead I need to follow. I should be back before dawn."
"Yup, swell, wonderful. What guest." Walking over to the box that Angel had placed on the floor, Lorne let out a loud groan. "Oh no you don't mister. You are not going to leave me here and deal with the storm you have just created. What part of she doesn't want your help did you not understand?"
"Apparently all of it." Shrugging his broad shoulders, Angel headed back to the stairs, Lorne at his heels.
"That cuts it I quit."
"You don't work for me how do you quit?"
"Oh that's right. Somewhere along the way I became your little slave." Muttering under his breath, Lorne shoved his hands into his pockets before he snapped and tried to bitch slap the dark haired vampire. "Well this is all on you. So I suggest you grab one of those long and dreary books you relish so damn much and wait for the fireworks. I'm going out."
"But my lead." Whipping around Angel peered closely at Lorne's angry expression. "Lorne you don't know Willow, she's too gentle and kind to do this on her own."
"You keep saying that. But for some reason I'm not seeing some Southern Belle that gets the vapors at the drop of a pin."
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Angel ran a hand over his face. "Lorne I wont apologize to you for doing what I feel I had to."
"Good cause I'd hate to add liar to your drastically fading stellar persona." Uttering a long line of curse words under his breath Lorne headed back to his desk. "Fine go. Whatever. I'll stay here and greet our little redhead when she comes. Lord knows you'd ruin everything by just opening your mouth."
"Thanks Lorne."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm a sucker, I'm demon enough to admit it."
~Part: 5~
Staring at the door that was barely hanging on by a hinge, Willow felt panic like she had never felt before. She knew something was way off by the small crowd gathered outside her room. All gawking as though they were a bunch of tourists just getting off the bus at Disney World. It wasn't just the door that sent her heart up into her throat, but the destruction that greeted her beyond the entrance.
Doors to the dresser that her clothes had just under an hour ago been put away neatly in, were now empty and standing open. The mattress was hanging off the bed, sheets balled up on the floor. Her eyes flew to the battered table and almost allowed the tears that were forming in her eyes to fall. Her laptop was gone. Everything was gone.
Her hands shaking she walked further into the room. How could this happen? She wasn't gone for all that long. Suddenly the thought of her being here when the intruder came made her break out into a cold sweat. She had stupidly left behind the small arsenal that Buffy insisted she bring to LA back in Sunnydale.
Walking around the room in a disoriented circle, she made her way to the bathroom. Not surprising all her toiletries were also missing. Turning around she was about to leave the bathroom when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye lying on top of the bathroom counter. Taking a closer look she noticed a business card. With a shaky hand she picked up the item and after reading it crumbled it into a small ball.
"Hey you, Red." A man made his way through the group of people standing in the hall into the room. "I knew you were going to be trouble the second you showed up."
Without thought Willow took a look around, not sure the mean looking man was talking to her. "Me?"
"Yeah you." The man scratched his potbelly and glared at her with bloodshot eyes. "I should've known that you'd have some huge pissed off boyfriend looking for you. Frigging bastard ruined my best room." Looking down at the balled up paper in her hand, she felt all the pieces start to fall into place.
"My boyfriend?"
"Hey you know big guy. 'Bout so tall." The man held up a hand, sarcastically showing the height of the person he was describing. "Built like a son of a bitch. Came tearing in here like a bat out of hell."
"If you only knew." Mumbling to herself under her breath, Willow felt the fear start to fade as anger raged through her body.
"Lucky for you he paid for all the damages. You know sweetheart you should really think twice about pissing that one off. He doesn't seem to have much of a sense of humor."
Hating the way the man started to leer at her, Willow took a step back. "H-He did this?"
"Yup. Said if you want to stop acting like a little girl you're more than welcome to come to him. That your stuff will be waiting for you." With the last of his message delivered, the man took another disgusted look around the room and headed back out the door. "Damn valley yuppies, always trouble."
Willow waited until the man was gone to let out a few unladylike words. Stop acting like a little girl her ass.
~~~*~~~
The hotel was quiet, too quiet and he hated it. Not just a few weeks ago the lobby had once been filled with voices, laughter and jokes. Now it was a mausoleum, that spoke volumes of the two remaining residents. Looking up from the book in front of him Lorne closed his eyes and could almost hear the echoes from the past. Cordy's consistent complaining and sarcasm. Wesley and Gunn's predictable arguments. Even the small wail of a baby. But now all there was, was silence.
If Conner was never found, Lorne knew that the familiar noises would never be heard of again. Wincing slightly, Lorne reflected that ever *if* Conner was found Wesley's voice would never be heard floating around the lobby again. What a mess that one created.
It just didn't add up. That Wesley would do something so damn stupid. Knowing exactly how Angel would react. If the ex-Watcher hadn't been attacked by Justine, Wesley wouldn't have gotten very far with Angel on his heals. It was Lorne's firm belief that Wesley had gotten off easy with a knife to the throat. Considering the damage that Angel would've inflicted on him.
Anger knew no bounds when it came Angel. His frustration and grief had pushed everyone who wanted to help put of his life, forcing them to assist from afar. It tore his heart to see them all like this. They each had their special talents that made them shine as individuals. Whether it was receiving pieces from the future, or the ability to solve puzzles with a blink of an eye. Super strength to stop their foes in their tracks, or the street smarts to get them through another jam. All were great gifts, special and unique in their own ways. But separated they weren't squat. They needed to be untied to make this work, to help one another through the pain that life seemed to throw their way.
Rubbing his right horn, Lorne sent up a prayer to TPTB. Angel couldn't do this alone, the big wigs up in the clouds knew this, that's why they gave Angel his new family.
"Where is he?" An angry voice from behind caught Lorne off guard. Making him squeal and tumble out of his chair.
"Don't do that! My heart can't take much more." Placing a hand over his left butt cheek, Lorne took a few breaths.
"Angel, where is he?" Willow repeated as she stomped down the guilt she felt over startling Lorne.
"He's out, that lucky bastard." Lorne muttered under his breath. He knew the young witch was going to be madder than a wet cat in the middle of December. By the looks of her she was ready to combust. Her eyes were slightly dilated, her hair curled around her face looking like flames in a fire.
"I want my stuff and I want it now. He had no right doing what he did." Lorne couldn't agree more with the young woman, but when it came down to it he understood the vampire's motives.
"I wish I could help you there, but I have this thing about getting beaten to a pulp. It makes my skin turn this very unfashionable purple." Watching as her eyes turned even darker, Lorne fought the urge to beg for her mercy.
She could feel the magic just boiling under the surface of her skin, begging for release. It was almost physically painful. Turning her back on Lorne, Willow closed her eyes and tried to cool the fire that was rampant in her body. Not now. She'd gone too long, done so well without magic that she refused to let this set her back.
Slowly turning back around, Willow felt some of the tension ease out of her. "I don't understand. I thought that Angel himself said he didn't want any of us in town helping. So why take all my things and leave his card behind?" Lorne opened his mouth to try and explain when her face lost all color. Leaving her paler than one of the Christmas ghosts. "He's trying to force me to go back home isn't he?"
"No it's not that at all sweetie I think--."
"He doesn't think I'm strong enough to survive in LA without someone watching over me." If there was one thing that Lorne was a sucker for was a woman on the verge of tears. It had to something about that lower trembling lip that did him in every time. "I should have known he thought I was weak and useless."
"I don't believe for one minute that he thinks your--."
"Well he may think he has the upper hand here, seeing that he has all my stuff. But he didn't get my credit cards." Holding up her purse in victory, Willow waved it in front of Lorne's bewildered face. What she didn't tell the confused demon was that they were all almost maxed out. But she did have on ace up her sleeve. Her parents. They were always offering to wire funds into her checking account so they wouldn't feel like complete failures. "And you can tell him that I'm not leaving this city, he's not vampire enough to drag me away. I will help find his son, whether he likes it or not." Spinning on her heel, Willow stomped out of the entrance leaving Lorne lack jawed.
A deep fountain of laughter gurgled in his stomach and flowed from his mouth. I liked that girl! She had spunk, determination, and wasn't going to allow Angel to boss her around. Shoving his hands in his pockets, Lorne started to whistle a jaunty little tune.
~Part: 6~
Amazing. He was supposed to be a private investigator. A sleuth. Private eye. So how was it he'd not only lost his son, but now a witch within the last month? Dick Tracy never lost people like this. He found them. Like his job description dictated. But for some ungodly reason he was incapable of keeping track of his own damn friends.
Raking his hands through his unruly spikes, Angel let out a long disgusted sigh. He was a failure. One big fat fraud. Who was he kidding? He wasn't a Private Investigator, he was an egotistical, pathetic bastard. A selfish prick who was unable to appreciate the people in his life until it was too late. It wasn't like he hadn't loved Conner. He had, with every fiber of his being. He'd been so wrapped up in his abilities as a father, stretching himself so thin he hadn't really taken the time to just enjoy his son.
His smell, those adorable little cooing sounds he'd make just before drifting off to sleep, the way he'd curl his tiny little fingers when he got drowsy. These were the things he'd taken for granted. Instead of sitting back and enjoying what his son had to offer, he'd just taken these precious jewels and tossed them away with out a second thought.
And he'd done the same with Willow. Christ if it weren't for her he wouldn't be sitting here in the dark, beating himself up. Willow with her eyes so full of life. Quirky little smile and even stranger sense of humor. Little redhead who always stood on the outside, always offering a hand and friendly word. He'd treated her worse than he treated some of his enemies. Now she was somewhere in LA, alone. All because he couldn't except his own failure.
Standing up with such power he knocked over the chair he'd been sitting in. Ignoring the angry crash, Angel stalked across his office to stare out the window. Bracing his arm against the frame, he looked out on the deserted street, wondering for the hundredth time where Willow could be.
It didn't matter how many times he called Buffy, his ex wasn't budging. She'd told him under no circumstances would she tell him where the redhead was. In fact the fist few calls she'd been so tightlipped, Angel could feel her anger from a few hundred miles away. All he wanted to do now was just apologize. But apparently he'd been such a flaming bastard no one was willing to take the chance and spill the beans.
Now he had one severely pissed off green demon glowering at him. A group of people two hours away who would barley talk to him. His contacts were drying up quicker than the Sahara. It seemed they all had a problem with the forceful way he'd been handling things lately. In fact he'd heard the whispers on the street, of wondering if Angelus had once again emerged.
So basically, when he'd thought just days ago things couldn't get any worse. . . they certainly had. Now he needed to figure out how to fix things. Realistically, he knew things weren't going to warm fuzzies. But there had to be a way to open the lines of communication again. It was the only way he was going to find Conner. He couldn't do this alone. And quiet frankly, he no longer wanted to. At least when Lorne was able to talk to him without such colorful adjectives, there'd been someone there for him.
Pushing himself away from the window, Angel scowled at the empty office. This just wasn't going to do. Sulking in a dark room. Pondering the ins and outs of his life. He needed to take action. And he might as well start with Lorne.
***~***
Okay so perhaps striking out on her own in a town she had never been to had been incredibly stupid. Sure her parents had pulled through and dumped money in her checking account and paid off her credit cards, it didn't make what she was doing any less stupid. To top that off her emotions were all over the Richter scale. One minute she felt full of self satisfaction. Knowing she was pulling off a huge neener neener neener on Angel. The next she'd sink to an all time low. Still feeling betrayed by the one person she had seen as being larger than life.
Rubbing her sweety palms down the new jeans she'd purchased. She seriously needed her head examined. What in the world was she thinking? Sneaking into the inner sanctum of Wolfram and Hart. Full of herself, not thinking twice she could actually get caught. All she cared about was getting the information Angel couldn't seem to find and rub his nose in it. Prove to him once and for all what the weak and pathetic little Willow Rosenberg could do.
Yup. Uh-huh. It was a great plan. Up to the moment she heard voices right behind her and she ducked into a vacant office. Now, when the coast seemed to be clear, the door wouldn't budge. Which basically meant she was screwed in the big kind of way.
Well at least she was wearing clean underwear. It was a little heart warming to know if she was caught and killed she'd go out with clean undies.
Looking over at the phone sitting all taunting like on the huge shiny desk, Willow contemplated who she could call that would freak out the least. Buffy and Xander were out of the question. Being two hours away, they would be at a total loss. Lorne couldn't wasn't really in the position to go jaunting around town. She imagined his green skin would catch some attention.
Which left Angel. And calling him would take the neener neener neener out of her plan.
"Great." Mumbling to herself, Willow crossed the room silently. Dragging her feet, She raced through her short list of friends, trying desperately to find someone. . . anyone beside the egotistical prick who would like nothing more than to point out just how inadequate she was. Like she needed anyone to tell her that.
Picking up the receiver, she stared down at the numbers. "This sucks." Punching the numbers, each one another nail in her coffin. Vampire. . . coffin. Huh, funny.
Listening to the phone ring, she held her breath. What was she supposed to say? Huh, hi there Angel. How's it handing? Could you swing on by the Wolfram and Hart offices and get me out of a cabin I seem to have locked myself into? Crap.
"Angel Investigations." Lorne's voice answered.
"Lorne?" Willow whispered, holding a hand over the mouth piece.
"Willow? Sweetie is there a reason you're whispering?" Lowering his voice to match hers, Willow felt her mouth grow dry and a sweat break out on her forehead.
"Ah. . . Lorne? I ah." Clearing her throat, Willow sucked in a deep breath. "What I mean to say is ahhh. I uh."
"Sweetheart, as adoring as I find your stammering, you're making my head spin."
"I'mstuckinaofficeatWolframandHart." Nearly tripping over her own tongue, Willow waited when only silence greeted her.
"Come again." This time Lorne's voice was no longer a whisper.
"I'm stuck in a office at -."
"Wolfram and Hart." Lorne interrupted. "Yeah got that. Sweetheart, I know there's a good story as to why you decided going there was a smart idea. But why don't we pass up on the tale for the time being. We need to get your little hinny out of there."
"I like your plan. It's a good solid plan." Nodding her head approvingly, Willow sat back in the large leather chair behind the desk. Tear swelling in her eyes as her heart slammed painfully against her rib cage.
"Can you hold a second while I find our favorite at room temperature pal?"
"Oh I don't know. I was thinking about going down to the café and picking up a latte."
"Cute." Lorne's voice was laced with humor. "Hold on."
Listening as Lorne placed the phone down, she heard him call out Angel's name. It didn't take long before Angel's voice could be heard in the background.
"Angelcakes? We need to talk." Lorne shifted from foot to foot as he waited for Angel to emerge from his office.
"Yeah?"
"Ah, we need to talk."
"I know." Lowering his head down, Angel looked up at Lorne from beneath his brows. "Listen I've been wrong. I know you've been doing your best to help me here. And I owe you more I will ever be able to repay."
"That's great Angel." Waving his hand to stop Angel, Lorne shook his head. "There's a little situation -."
"No. Let me say this." Frowning, Angel stared over at the front door, before turning back to Lorne. "I'm selfish. I have all these wonderful people who are trying to help me, and all I can do is push them away. I mean look at how I treated Willow."
"Funny you should mention our redheaded little goddess." Clasping her hands, Lorne rocked on his heels. "She's on the phone."
His eyes shot toward the desk where the phone sat off it's cradle. "Why are you talking to me then?"
"She seems to have gotten himself into a little jam." Lifting up his hand and putting his pointer finger and thumb about an inch apart, Lorne could see Angel's sorrowful eyes turn cold.
"How little?"
"Wolfram and Hart little?"
Blinking, Angel sucked in a deep breath. "I KNEW IT!" Slamming his fist down on the nearest desk, Angel ignored the cup of coffee that sloshed over the papers lying there. "I TOLD you she wouldn't be able to handle it. Where is she?"
"I gather somewhere in their building." Rolling his eyes, Lorne looked over at the receiver then back at Angel. "I imagine she would tell you herself, that is if you haven't pissed her off to the point she's hung up."
In two long strides Angel was to the phone, picking it up and barking. "Willow?"
"You know what Angel." Anger replacing fear, Willow clenched her free hand into a tight fist. "Bite me." Fighting the urge to slam the phone down, Willow swallowed the nasty words that were ready to spew from her mouth.
"What in the hell were you thinking?" Feeling his left eye start to twitch, Angel rubbed at it.
"Not helping the situation much." The tears were back again, and as much as she hated to admit it, hearing Angel's voice made her desperate situation seem a little less threatening.
"Wolfram and Hart?" Unable to let the subject drop, Angel voice was dead cold. "Let me guess you were just sitting around, and out of the blue decided to go for a little jaunt."
"Angel are you going to help, or are you going to kill me with sarcasm?" Matching her tone with his, Willow heard a noise on the other side of the door and sucked in a deep breath. Holding still, her ears straining, Willow waited. When no other noises came her voice lowered. "Angel please."
Hearing her desperation, Angel held the bit his tongue. "Alright what floor are you on?"
"Sixth."
"What office?"
"I. . . I don't know. Hold on." Standing up quickly, Willow looked down at the desk looking for anything that might tell her anything that might be as to use to Angel. Spotting a name plate, Willow quickly snatched it.
"Willow?"
"Yeah, got it. Lilah Morgan's office."
"I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Angel?"
"Yeah."
"Please hurry."
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