Chapter 36 – Rocky Mountain High
He was born in the
summer of his 27th year
Comin’ home to a place
he’d never been before
He left yesterday
behind him; you might say he was born again
You might say he found
a key for every door
When he first came to
the mountains his life was far away
On the road and
hangin’ by a song
But the strings
already broken and he doesn’t really care
It keeps changin’ fast
and it don’t last for long
John Denver
It was a disaster. Raven was laughing so hard that her sides hurt and tears were streaming down her face. As fate would have it, this could only happen to her. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity for that special magical moment with the man she loved, she should have known that something would happen to spoil it. It was becoming the story of her life, but this time it was the colossal goof of a sitcom.
“Would you quit laughing and help?” Connor barked, but his lips twitched as he fought back his own amusement at the situation.
Up to the point where they reached the front door it had been a very romantic gesture. Connor sweeping her off her feet to carry her toward their private cabin in the woods. Both of them staring in the other’s eyes filled with desire until he kicked the door open letting a large cloud of smoke escape. The flame on the gas stove had flared up and turned the chili he made in to a scorched mess. The pot had been flung into the front yard before Connor started to run around to open all the windows.
Raven couldn’t do anything but giggle even when he sent her a scathing look. She ended up sitting on the floor, rocking with laughter, as he handled the situation. After all the tension, the fighting, and the heartache she was beyond accepting any more pain. She had to see the humor in this awkward situation or break down completely.
“I can’t…can’t help it,” Raven replied. Her arms were wrapped around her middle as she gave up trying to stay upright. She lay back, kicking her legs up as she continued to shake with laughter. “Oh goddess, Connor, it’s the most frickin’ hilarious thing to happen to us ever.”
“You think so?” Connor asked, standing over her with his hands on his hips. “It’s funny that the dinner I slaved over all afternoon was ruined? Or that we were finally going to have sex and now…”
“Now what?” Raven asked, putting her foot behind his knee and bringing him down on top of her. “A little smoke going to get in the way of your big manly seduction?”
“That’s it, wench,” Connor said, laughing as he started to tickle her. “You’re going to pay for that disrespect.”
Raven squirmed beneath him before getting the upper hand and flipping them so she was on top. “You, sir, are no gentlemen,” she sniffed. “And you sound like Mum with the dinner thing. She can’t cook worth a damn even after all these years.”
“And you sound like Spike,” Connor retorted, flipping them again. “With the horn dog routine.”
“I am not a horn dog,” Raven giggled. “I’m a healthy eighteen-year-old female who is madly in love with this really hot stud.”
“Yeah,” Connor laughed, nuzzling her neck. “I am kind of hot, aren’t I? Just like my Dad.”
Raven couldn’t help but tease him. It was just too easy of an opening. “Your father is pretty studly.”
“Hey,” Connor said, pulling back to look into her eyes. “That’s my Dad you’re talking about.”
“You brought it up.”
“You didn’t have to agree.”
“He is very good looking,” Raven said, sliding her hands along Connor’s arms. “But unlike my mother I prefer my men a little closer to my age instead of centuries older.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing that I meet my lady’s requirements,” Connor said, slipping to the side, keeping one hand on her stomach while he propped his head up with the other. For a split second Raven felt rejected but she saw the seriousness on his face. There were so many things they hadn’t discussed yet. Subjects danced around but never really explored. Like the heritages they had inherited. Like Connor’s time in Quortoth.
“Do you ever worry about having vampires for our paternal figures?” Connor asked.
“Paternal figures?” Raven asked, entwining her hand with his. “I think our Dad’s are pretty cool for what they are. It kind of makes us special, you know? You especially with the whole both biological parents being vampires.”
“It’s really something to be proud of,” Connor said, with a trace of sarcasm. “I mean like how many thousands of people died because of my parents.”
“And how many have been saved because of them?” Raven asked. “Destiny is a funny thing. There’s got to be a balance.”
“I’ve come to an understanding with my father,” Connor said. “I know that he loves me and he is devoted to the family, but one slip could change everything. I know there’s a few that still can’t fully relax around him. I understand that, too. All of that evil is a part of me. It can never be erased.”
“You are good, Connor,” Raven stated. “You have a soul. It’s what made your mother sacrifice her existence for you. All we can do is the best that we can. Try to make things right. Use the gifts we’ve been given.”
“Where did this come from? This from the girl who loves to shop and dance?”
“I chose when I was fifteen to be a slayer,” Raven explained. “Buffy and Spike would have prevented it if I had told them to.” She shrugged. “It’s just harder than I thought it was. I want a few good times, too. I want to experience all that life has to offer.”
“Is that one of the reasons you’ve been pushing so hard for us?” Connor asked, brushing her hair behind her ear. “Don’t you know that I love you? I’m here for you no matter what. I just want things to happen when they’re supposed to happen.” He pulled away to lie on the floor beside her. His hands folded across his stomach. “My life was taken away from me for so many years. Holtz stole my childhood and my family from me. Nothing will ever bring that back.” He turned to look at her. “Once we take that step…we can never go back to this time of innocence. It’s not that I don’t want you because I do more than you’ll ever know, but I want things to go naturally. I want to enjoy this part of our lives for as long as possible.”
“And if we die before we get to that part?”
“My heart is already yours, Raven Blood,” Connor whispered. “Nothing will ever change that. Things are changing all around us. We don’t even know what we’re fighting yet. I think that maybe we should prepare for the fight. Become the best that we can be and then do this the right way.”
For the first time in a long time Raven let go of her fear. If she decided to go ahead with what was interrupted, she knew Connor would go along with it. It was her call. She thought of her parents. Of the years they struggled to keep their marriage together. Of the time they spent apart to become stronger for each other in the very beginning. But it had already been too late. Their relationship had a bloody and painful beginning that had never fully been erased from their hearts. She didn’t want that. She wanted to come to Connor fully prepared for their life together.
“Then we wait,” Raven said, knowing in her heart it was the right decision.
~~~~~~~~
The mountain road wound ahead of them like the proverbial stairway to heaven. The sky was a clear blue with only a few fluffy, white clouds floating along. If he’d ever journeyed through this part of the world, then his demon prevented him from appreciating its majestic serenity for what it was. It was beauty. And it brought peace to his heart. Spike could hear prose being formed in his mind as he took in the wildness that surrounded him. For once he was thankful that Buffy insisted he carry a journal with him wherever he went. He wanted to stop, breathe it all in and try to commit it in writing so he’d never forget.
Ted rode by them on their right. He laughed, jerking his thumb back to the others straggling along. Spike glanced back. Dylan and Bob were trailing a ways behind them. He looked forward again to see Ted saluting them farewell then speeding off in roar of the mightiest. It was a challenge that Spike could hardly ignore but Buffy was behind him. He shook his head in defeat until he felt Buffy’s thighs close on his hips and her arms gripped him even tighter. She was giving him the go ahead. He opened the throttle, building speed that sent them hurtling along the country back road.
His prized motorcycle came to life beneath him. A demon in its own right as it raced toward their comrade. They pulled along side one another, a standoff, neither one losing or winning to the other. The two men screamed in laughter at their sheer joy of the ride as it sent adrenaline pumping through their veins. Opening the throttle Spike took off again. A curve appeared ahead bending to the left with a cliff to the right. Spike didn’t slow; instead he leaned into it, the bike almost sliding along on its side as they sailed around it. Buffy laughed behind him. This was flying, a sexual ride that left his heart pounding. Here, in this brief moment, he was who he was supposed to be. Freedom was singing its sweet song to him. If he had to describe what he was feeling, all he could say was that it was like coming home.
~~~~~~~~
Faith threw the sopping towel into the bathtub even though she knew she would have to deal with it again later. At least for now the floor was dry again. She shook her head as she headed down the hall to Journey’s room. How could one small child turn taking a bath into a tidal wave? Everything in the bathroom had been soaked by the time she felt that Joy was clean enough.
“Joy, time to get into your pajamas,” Faith said as she stepped into the room. However there was no full of mischief face peering up at her. The room was empty. She hurriedly looked in the closet and under the bed to make sure she wasn’t hiding but there was no sign of the girl. “Damn it,” Faith muttered, hitting the hallway at a near run.
Whoever had thought this gig would make her realize what she was missing by not dating Max was definitely nuts? This was enough to turn her off of motherhood forever. “Yeah, yeah, I know,” she groused in the general direction of the air above her. “I’m learning as fast as I can here.”
Elijah’s door was closed. Faith knocked out of respect first but she didn’t hear anything except the sounds of the television and opened it just a crack. “Eli, is Joy in there with you?”
“No,” Elijah said. “I thought you were giving her a bath?”
“I was and she disappeared,” Faith replied.
“She probably went downstairs to get something to eat or something,” Elijah said, continuing to play his video game. He acted bored by the whole situation.
“Fine,” Faith said, closing the door and headed for the stairs. She took them two at a time wishing that Journey would just show up. The two kids had been wound up all day. In her opinion, Buffy and Spike shouldn’t have left them. They were both just as affected by the events unfolding as the adults and were less equipped to handle it. “But then that’s why they left them with family, dumb ass,” Faith scolded herself darting into the kitchen. It was empty. A glance at the back door let her know that it was still locked so Joy hadn’t headed into the backyard. “Max, Hey, Max, need help,” Faith hollered, knocking on the study door as she passed. “The little one has gone missing.”
“What happened?” Max asked, running out of the study and down the hall on Faith’s heels. “Who’s missing?”
“Journey, I was giving her a bath,” Faith explained, checking the front door. It was locked too. “She soaked the bathroom so I sent her to her room while I cleaned up. When I got there she was gone.” Faith opened the dining room doors, looked around the obviously empty room then closed them again. “Elijah hasn’t seen her either.”
“She has to be around here,” Max said, following her back up the stairs. “Did you look in all the closets? Under the beds?”
“No, just hers,” Faith said, stopping so quickly that Max bumped into her. “Elijah isn’t in his room now.” She turned in a circle. “The two of you have two seconds to get your little butts into your rooms before I go psycho Slayer on you. Do you understand me?”
No answer. No giggles. No running feet. Nothing. She was starting to get worried.
“Faith, check this floor,” Max instructed. “Look everywhere a small child could hide. I’ll check the attic.”
Faith nodded, starting with Elijah’s room. He wasn’t there. Soon she developed a pattern as she systematically went through each room and closet. Her fear and frustration grew exponentially with every step. They were no where on the second floor. She headed up to see if Max had found them. He was disappearing into the Blood’s closet. She followed him in as he started to search through the clothes on Spike’s side so she started on Buffy’s side.
“Faith, did you ever hear about a secret room up here?” Max asked, feeling along a panel in the wall.
“You’re kidding, right?” Faith asked, then jumped back in surprise when Max hit the right spot and the panel slid back.
Max felt around inside the door for a light switch. “Aha,” Max said. He froze when he saw the contents of the room.
Faith peeked over his shoulder then started laughing. “Holy shit,” she said, stepping into the small room. There was mirrors on the walls and in the center of the room hung a swing. Faith pushed it, letting it hit Max on the side.
“This is like…,” Max said, pushing the swing aside.
“High kink factor,” Faith said, noting the shelves with various sex toys on it. “Guess they do need the privacy with all the rug rats around.”
“Yeah, and we need to find those rug rats before they get hurt,” Max said. “Where the hell are they?”
“Max,” Faith said, grabbing his arm. Any amusement over Buffy and Spike’s playroom was shoved aside as she was filled with dread again. “The basement. We didn’t look down there yet.”
“Shit,” Max uttered. “And from there they can go anywhere in town.”
Neither one of them bothered to close up the room. Faith took the lead as she bounded down the stairs then almost leapt from the second floor to the ground floor. Her fears were confirmed when the basement door swung open. It hadn’t been firmly shut. Max was right behind her as they headed into the basement. They both skidded to a stop when the door leading into the tunnels was wide open. By this time the children could be heading almost anywhere.
~~~~~~~~~
The room reeked of an evil as ancient as time. Its stone walls wept with the misery that the occupants had caused the human race over time. It was as close to hell as the earthen walls that contained its evil malevolence. Angel knew he was in grave danger of losing his soul by coming here. Angelus roared within him, fighting for control like he hadn’t in over a decade. It was only the image of Cordelia that gave the soul ultimate power. Love was the strongest force in the universe and Angel clung to it with every ounce of strength he possessed.
“Come on in, man,” Gunn invited, sweeping his arm out. “You passed the last test when you refused to give in to Cordelia about giving this opportunity up.”
Angel nodded while trying to hide his surprise. Somehow they
knew everything. More than he ever thought they did. He would have to contact
“Some things are stronger than this world,” Angel said, determined to be non-committal in his answers. He wasn’t ready to sign his life away just yet. This was a chance to see who he was up against.
“Welcome, Angel,” Vail said, being the first to reveal himself.
“Thank you,” Angel replied. He wasn’t surprised that Wolfram & Hart’s go-to warlock for magical tampering was a member of the legendary Black Thorn. It only made sense that the sorcerer capable of memory reconstruction and temporal shifts would be placed in such an esteemed position. To show respect Angel offered his hand and allowed Vail to be the one with the stronger grip. Play the game, Angel thought. Just smile and play the game.
Angel looked around the room at the other members. They were mostly all members he recognized as clients of or employees of Wolfram & Hart. Izzy, his frequent racquetball partner, was the next to welcome him. In his hand was a glass of champagne which Angel accepted.
“Let me introduce you around,” Izzy said, taking Angel by the elbow. “Some of these folks you know and some you don’t.” He led the vampire over to the table where hors d'oeuvre was set out. “Of course, you’re acquainted with the Archduke.”
“Kudos, child,” Sebassis said, turning to Angel. “I must say it’s gratifying to see you’ve returned to form, Angelus.”
“It’s still Angel.”
“Ah,” Sebassis replied, with an indifferent wave of his hand. “Well, what’s in a name, eh? In the spirit of our new alliance, you must allow me to throw a dinner party in your name.”
“You know how I love parties,” Angel said, with a smile. He tipped his wine glass toward him then took a sip. It would be the last thing he would do if he could help it. Being with these people was making him nervous, but he had to do this. He had to be accepted.
“Hello Angel,” Senator Helen Brucker, a client of the law firm approached the small group. “It’s nice to see you again so soon.”
“Senator,” Angel replied with a tilt of his head. “I had no idea you were so well…connected.”
Laughing, she shook her head then said, “Well, I’m not going to take the White House in 2008 on just my sparkling wit and funding from hostile governments.”
“I expect not,” Angel said, laughing along with her.
“It’s quite a turn out for your initiation,” Izzy said, patting Angel on the back and effectively dismissing the Senator. “It seems that everybody is here.”
“Really,” Angel said, absently. He took a look around the room and mentally began to take notes on the members. He nodded when his gaze met Gunn’s then quickly moved on. It wouldn’t do to stare at anyone for too long or think about anything for more than a scant moment. They would be waiting for him to do something suspicious or for one of their psychics to detect a disloyal thought. If they did then his entire plan would be all for naught.
All he had to do was remain strong and he would accomplish his mission. Maybe then he would finally have a reward for all the sacrifices he and his family had made over the years. Maybe just maybe the universe would be on his side for once.
to be continued…
Author’s Note: Dialogue and circumstances borrowed from Angel episode: Power Play. Information on the Black Thorn obtained from the official 2004 Angel Yearbook.
