CHAPTER 12
Connor was coming out of his last class of the day when he noticed Angel in the hall. "Hey! It's nice to see you."
"I called Dawn and she told me you were finishing late. I wanted to talk to you."
"Sounds serious," Connor said with an uncertain smile.
"Have you eaten? There's a nice restaurant not far from here."
"I intended to have a sandwich in my dorm room, so a restaurant sounds perfect."
They walked out of the building and to a black Viper. Connor whistled in appreciation. "Nice," he commented.
"Yeah, I've got a whole collection," Angel said in a tone that showed he couldn't care less. "It came with the whole Wolfram & Hart package."
Connor didn't answer, a little taken aback by his unusual blank tone.
The restaurant was very close and the ride only lasted a few minutes. When they walked in, Angel asked for a quiet table. They sat down, ordered drinks and made some small talk while choosing the main course. Once that was ordered, Angel remained silent for a moment.
"You're making me nervous," Connor said, smiling.
Angel smiled back. "I'm sorry. What I have to tell you...it's not easy."
"Angel, we're friends right? Whatever the problem, you can share."
"Yes...we're friends."
Angel played with his fork, trying to find the best way to tell him. He decided to start like he had done with William. "Connor...what do you know about vampires?"
The young man shrugged. "Not much. I saw the movie, the one with Gary Oldman. And I think I read the book a few years ago. And, well, I heard some stuff...people disappearing from campus. People talk, you know, the usual 'I know someone who...' like in the urban legends."
Angel nodded slowly. "Vampires are not urban legends. They are real."
Connor took a few seconds to register the information. "Can you say that again?" he asked incredulously.
"Vampires. They do exist. They are real."
Connor looked fixedly at him for a moment without saying anything. The waiter brought their meal but neither of them touched it.
"How...are you serious?"
Angel nodded. "Yes. I know this must be quite a shock..."
"Well, to be honest, it explains a lot of things, so shock is not exactly the right word...but still not the kind of news you hear everyday."
Angel cleared his throat. "I'm glad you're taking it so well, because there's something else...I'm one of them. A vampire. I'm a vampire."
Connor started to laugh before stopping abruptly. "You're not kidding," he said.
"No. Why would I be kidding about this? But I want you to know the truth."
"But...aren't you supposed to be evil, then?"
Angel shook his head. "I have a soul. I got cursed...it's a long story. So no, I'm not evil. Most of the time. And I try to fight it the best I can. That's what we do everyday with Wes, Fred and Gunn. And that's how I became CEO of Wolfram & Hart."
Connor suddenly noticed the meal in front of him and started to eat. "That's...ok, I didn't expect that."
"You're freaked out," Angel said, feeling a pit in his stomach.
The young man thought for a minute before saying, "Not really. Of course it's kind of a...uh...surprising revelation, but...you're on the good side. If you tell me so, then I trust you. And I think it's pretty cool, actually."
"You do?" Angel asked, amazed. He had never imagined that this would be so easy. A smile crept on his lips. "You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say this," he added, emotion thickening his voice. "You're an amazing guy."
"I am, huh?" Connor joked. "Don't forget to mention it to Dawn. Oh, She knows about you, right?"
"Yes. She's the one who convinced me to tell you as soon as possible. She didn't like to lie to you about it but it wasn't her confession to make."
"I get that. But I might give her a hard time for not telling me about the vampires. Just to tease her a bit. She's not fighting evil, is she?"
Angel smiled. "In a way, yes. She wants to become a Watcher. Buffy, her sister, is the Slayer."
At Connor's puzzled look, he proceeded to explain about the Watcher's Council and the Chosen One. Connor was all ears. "That's fascinating," he finally said. "Not a lot of people are aware of all this, right?"
"I guess some of them are but prefer to ignore it. It's a little scary to imagine."
"I can't believe Buffy is the Slayer. She's so tiny, and looks so fragile. Ok, I guess that's because lately she felt all depressed about William."
Angel smiled, albeit sadly. "Things should get better. I saw him this afternoon. They are probably together right now."
He finally started to eat his dinner, not having that big weight on his shoulders anymore. Connor's good reaction had filled him with joy.
After dinner, Angel drove Connor back to his frat house. Connor turned to him. "Listen, I know it's probably terribly dangerous, and I have no experience in this whatsoever, but...I want to help you fight evil." He laughed. "That wasn't supposed to sound so melodramatic."
"Yes, it's dangerous. But if you really want to...I could definitely use someone smart and with your fighting skills. I'm sure Dawn would love to have you in as well."
A wide smile spread the younger man's lips. "Well, count me in, then."
He raised his hand, but this time Angel pulled him in a fierce hug, and Connor hugged him back.
"I'll see you soon, then," Angel told him.
"Oh, probably tomorrow. If I want to fight properly, I'll need some sword practice."
"That's not a reason to neglect your studies. They are important too. I'll need bright lawyers by my side."
"Don't worry. And thanks."
"For what?"
Connor shrugged. "I don't know. For just being you. I had nothing to complain about, but my life is better since Dawn and you are in it."
"Same here," Angel replied, his throat constricted. "See you tomorrow, then."
With a smile, Connor retreated into the house and closed the door behind him.
Angel sat back in the car, started the engine and smiled to himself. A big, blissful grin.
What was once lost had been found.
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
"Do you think I lost him?"
"Pfft. No you didn't," Dawn said, not even raising her eyes from her magazine.
Buffy smiled. "You seem pretty sure about it."
"Oh, I am. I'm pretty sure that sooner or later he's going to be ringing at that..."
The doorbell rang right at that moment and Dawn jumped to her feet, grinning at Buffy's sudden paleness. "See?"
She went to the door, hoping it was William because she was fed up with Buffy's gloomy mood.
The door indeed revealed William, looking slightly nervous.
"Hey, just the guy I was hoping to see. Please tell me you're not here to break up with her."
"I'm not here to break up with her," he said, amused.
"Wonderful. I'll leave you two alone, then." She hugged him briefly. "Good decision," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek. "Bye Buffy!" she yelled before leaving.
Slowly, William walked to the living room where Buffy was now standing, looking frozen. He had thought about a hundred ways to start his speech, but when he looked at her he just forgot everything and smiled. That was all the encouragement she needed.
She ran to him and threw herself in his arms, which closed around her tightly. They didn't say anything for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence and contact. Buffy was the first to talk. "I love you," she said fervently.
"I love you too. I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner."
She shook her head. "No, I understand. As long as you're back, it's ok."
William pressed his mouth against hers, revelling in the softness of it, and the passion with which she kissed him back. When they stopped to breath, he buried his face against her hair, trembling slightly, his arms shaking as he clutched her tight. "I missed you so much."
"Oh God, me too. Please tell me you're staying. That you won't leave, ever," she said, not ashamed this time of her deep pleading tone.
"I won't, sweetheart, never. I promise. I want to trust my instincts. They're telling me you're my girl, and I'd be a fool to let you go. The Hell if I don't remember. I want to look in front of me, not behind. That's what matters. You and me."
They kissed again. This was as it should be. This was right.
He lifted her in his arms, whispering tender promises while walking towards her bedroom. He might not remember who he was, but he had a total certainty about whom he loved and who loved him.
And that's all he needed to know.
THE END
Connor was coming out of his last class of the day when he noticed Angel in the hall. "Hey! It's nice to see you."
"I called Dawn and she told me you were finishing late. I wanted to talk to you."
"Sounds serious," Connor said with an uncertain smile.
"Have you eaten? There's a nice restaurant not far from here."
"I intended to have a sandwich in my dorm room, so a restaurant sounds perfect."
They walked out of the building and to a black Viper. Connor whistled in appreciation. "Nice," he commented.
"Yeah, I've got a whole collection," Angel said in a tone that showed he couldn't care less. "It came with the whole Wolfram & Hart package."
Connor didn't answer, a little taken aback by his unusual blank tone.
The restaurant was very close and the ride only lasted a few minutes. When they walked in, Angel asked for a quiet table. They sat down, ordered drinks and made some small talk while choosing the main course. Once that was ordered, Angel remained silent for a moment.
"You're making me nervous," Connor said, smiling.
Angel smiled back. "I'm sorry. What I have to tell you...it's not easy."
"Angel, we're friends right? Whatever the problem, you can share."
"Yes...we're friends."
Angel played with his fork, trying to find the best way to tell him. He decided to start like he had done with William. "Connor...what do you know about vampires?"
The young man shrugged. "Not much. I saw the movie, the one with Gary Oldman. And I think I read the book a few years ago. And, well, I heard some stuff...people disappearing from campus. People talk, you know, the usual 'I know someone who...' like in the urban legends."
Angel nodded slowly. "Vampires are not urban legends. They are real."
Connor took a few seconds to register the information. "Can you say that again?" he asked incredulously.
"Vampires. They do exist. They are real."
Connor looked fixedly at him for a moment without saying anything. The waiter brought their meal but neither of them touched it.
"How...are you serious?"
Angel nodded. "Yes. I know this must be quite a shock..."
"Well, to be honest, it explains a lot of things, so shock is not exactly the right word...but still not the kind of news you hear everyday."
Angel cleared his throat. "I'm glad you're taking it so well, because there's something else...I'm one of them. A vampire. I'm a vampire."
Connor started to laugh before stopping abruptly. "You're not kidding," he said.
"No. Why would I be kidding about this? But I want you to know the truth."
"But...aren't you supposed to be evil, then?"
Angel shook his head. "I have a soul. I got cursed...it's a long story. So no, I'm not evil. Most of the time. And I try to fight it the best I can. That's what we do everyday with Wes, Fred and Gunn. And that's how I became CEO of Wolfram & Hart."
Connor suddenly noticed the meal in front of him and started to eat. "That's...ok, I didn't expect that."
"You're freaked out," Angel said, feeling a pit in his stomach.
The young man thought for a minute before saying, "Not really. Of course it's kind of a...uh...surprising revelation, but...you're on the good side. If you tell me so, then I trust you. And I think it's pretty cool, actually."
"You do?" Angel asked, amazed. He had never imagined that this would be so easy. A smile crept on his lips. "You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say this," he added, emotion thickening his voice. "You're an amazing guy."
"I am, huh?" Connor joked. "Don't forget to mention it to Dawn. Oh, She knows about you, right?"
"Yes. She's the one who convinced me to tell you as soon as possible. She didn't like to lie to you about it but it wasn't her confession to make."
"I get that. But I might give her a hard time for not telling me about the vampires. Just to tease her a bit. She's not fighting evil, is she?"
Angel smiled. "In a way, yes. She wants to become a Watcher. Buffy, her sister, is the Slayer."
At Connor's puzzled look, he proceeded to explain about the Watcher's Council and the Chosen One. Connor was all ears. "That's fascinating," he finally said. "Not a lot of people are aware of all this, right?"
"I guess some of them are but prefer to ignore it. It's a little scary to imagine."
"I can't believe Buffy is the Slayer. She's so tiny, and looks so fragile. Ok, I guess that's because lately she felt all depressed about William."
Angel smiled, albeit sadly. "Things should get better. I saw him this afternoon. They are probably together right now."
He finally started to eat his dinner, not having that big weight on his shoulders anymore. Connor's good reaction had filled him with joy.
After dinner, Angel drove Connor back to his frat house. Connor turned to him. "Listen, I know it's probably terribly dangerous, and I have no experience in this whatsoever, but...I want to help you fight evil." He laughed. "That wasn't supposed to sound so melodramatic."
"Yes, it's dangerous. But if you really want to...I could definitely use someone smart and with your fighting skills. I'm sure Dawn would love to have you in as well."
A wide smile spread the younger man's lips. "Well, count me in, then."
He raised his hand, but this time Angel pulled him in a fierce hug, and Connor hugged him back.
"I'll see you soon, then," Angel told him.
"Oh, probably tomorrow. If I want to fight properly, I'll need some sword practice."
"That's not a reason to neglect your studies. They are important too. I'll need bright lawyers by my side."
"Don't worry. And thanks."
"For what?"
Connor shrugged. "I don't know. For just being you. I had nothing to complain about, but my life is better since Dawn and you are in it."
"Same here," Angel replied, his throat constricted. "See you tomorrow, then."
With a smile, Connor retreated into the house and closed the door behind him.
Angel sat back in the car, started the engine and smiled to himself. A big, blissful grin.
What was once lost had been found.
§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
"Do you think I lost him?"
"Pfft. No you didn't," Dawn said, not even raising her eyes from her magazine.
Buffy smiled. "You seem pretty sure about it."
"Oh, I am. I'm pretty sure that sooner or later he's going to be ringing at that..."
The doorbell rang right at that moment and Dawn jumped to her feet, grinning at Buffy's sudden paleness. "See?"
She went to the door, hoping it was William because she was fed up with Buffy's gloomy mood.
The door indeed revealed William, looking slightly nervous.
"Hey, just the guy I was hoping to see. Please tell me you're not here to break up with her."
"I'm not here to break up with her," he said, amused.
"Wonderful. I'll leave you two alone, then." She hugged him briefly. "Good decision," she whispered, kissing him on the cheek. "Bye Buffy!" she yelled before leaving.
Slowly, William walked to the living room where Buffy was now standing, looking frozen. He had thought about a hundred ways to start his speech, but when he looked at her he just forgot everything and smiled. That was all the encouragement she needed.
She ran to him and threw herself in his arms, which closed around her tightly. They didn't say anything for a moment, just enjoying each other's presence and contact. Buffy was the first to talk. "I love you," she said fervently.
"I love you too. I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner."
She shook her head. "No, I understand. As long as you're back, it's ok."
William pressed his mouth against hers, revelling in the softness of it, and the passion with which she kissed him back. When they stopped to breath, he buried his face against her hair, trembling slightly, his arms shaking as he clutched her tight. "I missed you so much."
"Oh God, me too. Please tell me you're staying. That you won't leave, ever," she said, not ashamed this time of her deep pleading tone.
"I won't, sweetheart, never. I promise. I want to trust my instincts. They're telling me you're my girl, and I'd be a fool to let you go. The Hell if I don't remember. I want to look in front of me, not behind. That's what matters. You and me."
They kissed again. This was as it should be. This was right.
He lifted her in his arms, whispering tender promises while walking towards her bedroom. He might not remember who he was, but he had a total certainty about whom he loved and who loved him.
And that's all he needed to know.
THE END