Midnight Revelation

Author: Jill

Disclaimer: Hysterical laughter - who wants them anyway these days? I'm not making any money off this. Several lines of this are taken from the Angel-season3-episode "Forgiving". The episode was written by Jeffrey Bell.
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: B/A (strong in this part!), and the usual pairings from the show
Distribution: my site (http://www.never-ending-love.de), Land of Denial, if you have any of my stories, take it; anybody else tell me where it goes
Spoilers: Everything up to the season 3/6 episodes mentioned above is fair game.
Timeline: This is set into canon, in an attempt to make the whole series more B/A-friendly. Well at least it started out like this. As B/A are together now, I was forced to make some changes. You'll see them as soon as you read the story. This is set within "As You Were"
Spoilers: the whole B/A-canon to be sure, follows loosely "Midnight Angel", "Midnight Whispers", "Midnight Rainbow", "Midnight Hour", "Midnight Memory", "Midnight Protector", "Midnight Letter", "Midnight Encounters", "Midnight Eyes, "Midnight Lovers", "Midnight Kiss", "Midnight Song", "Midnight Rose", "Midnight Velvet", "Midnight Sun", "Midnight Shade", "Midnight Secrets", "Midnight Star", "Midnight Dance", "Midnight Wind", "Midnight Storm", "Midnight Fire", "Midnight Breath", "Midnight Wishes", "Midnight Sky", "Midnight Crossing", "Midnight Illusion", "Midnight Confession", and "Midnight Eclipse". You should probably read it to understand this. And you should have seen season 6/3 or at least read the transcripts or you won't know what they're talking about.
Summary: Connor is gone, but the world still goes round, and as the birth of Buffy's child gets closer, shocking secrets are revealed
Feedback: oh yes, please - this goes without saying - pretty please?
Dedication: For Smurf - there is no Spoon! And thanks to Tracey, my wonderful beta.

Note: from now on we will leave canon completely and the midnight-series will spin off into their own universe, which means from now on you don't need to have read the transcripts or watched the shows to follow. Why I'm doing this? Because after going through the transcripts time and again I just can't find a way to work them into this series. Sorry if you might have expected something different, but well, that's the way it goes. I might still use dialogues or events from the actual shows, but I will not replace any episodes again. The following stories in the series will simply replace the rest of the AtS and BtVS seasons.

*****

"Now that our prophecy child is gone," Lilah said, replacing the file on the desk, and tapping her chin with her forefinger, "I wonder what this whole Angel's-child-will-play-a-big-part-in-the-end-of-days-scenario is going to be. I mean, the baby is gone."

Linwood watched the fingers of her left hand drumming a steady rhythm on the surface of the desk, and was painfully reminded of his own left arm in a cast, courtesy of a certain vampire with a soul. "Seems it's all flown right out of the window," he replied, itching to scratch underneath his cast. His skin felt as if armies of ants were crawling around. "There is, however, another child to be born soon."

"The Slayer's child? You think that's the one the prophecy is talking about?" Lilah asked in confusion. Had she missed something? She'd been crosschecking the prophecies day and night for weeks, and there was she had no doubt left. Connor was the baby everyone was talking about. The senior partners were still pissed about his disappearance and Lilah was still missing her shiny, spacious office she'd had been banned from. They had moved her to this tiny hole she could show to nobody. It wasn't fair of course. Angel hadn't managed to save the baby, so how was she supposed to achieve what the father couldn't? But she knew her bosses well enough not to question their decisions. You could end up dead all too easily.

Linwood simply shrugged, "Who knows? But prophecy child or not, it's still worth watching that baby."

"I'd rather call it a fetus," Lilah shot back sarcastically. "It's not even born yet."

"That's just details," he dismissed her, his arm itching like crazy now. "But it's still Angel's weakness. And there's a bill I'd like to collect from him."

At that, Lilah raised her left brow. "I once had a partner who said something along those lines."

"You mean Lindsey?"

"Yeah - well, he wasn't really a partner, and he ended up losing an arm and finding his conscience. It's a pesky thing, you know."

"Lilah," Linwood laughed slightly, a sound that gave her shivers, "To find your conscience, it has to be there in the first place."

She sighed, "I was referring to his missing arm. He used to play guitar, then -," she shrugged, deliberately looking out of the window, "nothing."

"Oh, but he got his hand back - it's easy these days."

"Yeah," she agreed, "that's when the whole conscience gig started. But then … I always thought he was weak."

"He let go of the power. And of his friends. Must have been quite lonely for him then."

Lilah looked at Linwood for a long moment, before she tilted her head, "I wonder, now that his friends aren't talking with him anymore, do you think Mr. Wyndham-Price would like to have a visitor?"

In response, the other lawyer laughed out loud.

*****

"Princess, is there anything I can do to ease your pain?"

Cordelia looked up into Groo's concerned eyes, shining with love and admiration, and sighed. "No, thank you," she told him in her most gentle voice, looking back at the computer screen. Not that she was really looking. Staring at the same page for two hours was all she had managed to do this morning. Angel still hadn't made an appearance since last night, and neither had Buffy. For a moment Cordelia had felt an unwelcome pang of jealousy at their closeness she'd seen, but instantly she'd stomped it down. It was misplaced anyway. Of course Angel and Buffy were close. They were lovers, were in love, and were expecting a child of their own. So it wasn't surprising, the way they were clinging to each other at the loss of Angel's firstborn.

The problem was, Cordy loved Connor, too. And she missed him. As much as the baby had annoyed her before it was born, or rather his mother had, she had fallen in love with the child. And now everyone was sending nervous glances at the stairs, worried about how Angel was dealing with this, while nobody seemed to give a thought to her. Buffy might be Angel's lover, but she, Cordy, had been more a mother to Connor than the Slayer who had been a hundred miles away most of the time.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am," she hissed, annoyance creeping in her voice, but she quickly glanced up. Seeing the hurt in Groo's eyes, she reached out and put a hand on his arm. "Groo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you. It's just that… I'm a bit edgy."

"As is understandable," Groo replied, smiling at her. God, he was so sweet with his perfect face, his open, trustful gaze, his ready smile, and his - admittedly - sinful body. But for reasons she could barely grasp herself, Cordy was ready to scream each time he tried to do something really sweet. She was so annoyed by his innocence, his admiration. It had been fun for a while, but now it was starting to get on her nerves.

"No, it's really not," she told him now, for once ignoring his instant confusion. No wonder they called people cows in Pylea. If they were all like Groo... God, had she really thought that? What the Hell was wrong with her? Groo was the best thing that ever happened to her. He was in love with her, he was true, thoughtful, and had proven to be a surprisingly skillful lover, a fact she'd enjoyed very much during their weeks of vacation. So why was she so annoyed with him all of a sudden. Had Connor's disappearance really changed her perspective that much?

"Hey."

Cordy looked up, and found Willow's lover leaning over the counter, the blonde's compassionate gaze on her, and Xander standing next to her.

"Hey, Tara," Cordelia smiled at the blond, but avoided looking at her own ex. She and Xander had seen each other several times since Buffy and Angel got back together, but with Groo around, the brunette wasn't quite sure how far she could trust him. "Xander."

"Hey, wow," he raised a brow at her, "feel the love in the air."

"I am glad my love is palpable," Groo gave Xander a brilliant smile that melted Cordy's heart. But it was the melting of a mother looking at her child, there were no tingling feelings whatsoever. It seemed with their two weeks vacation to Mexico, they had exhausted their attraction. "Is there anything-"

"No, Groo, I don't need anything," Cordy forced her own smile. "You are really sweet. Why don't you …" she glanced at Fred and Gunn sitting in Wes' office, "go and help them," she nodded towards the office.

"Of course," Groo bowed slightly, then with a last look at Tara and Xander was gone.

"Interesting … friend."

"Not one word, Harris," Cordelia warned, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "I think with a lover like yours you better keep your mouth shut."

"There is nothing wrong with Anya," he defended himself.

The brunette gave a short laugh, "Better not get me started. So," she turned to Tara, determined not to get into a fight with her ex, although she had to admit bickering with him was at least taking her mind away from Connor and his father, who still had not shown his face. "How is little Willow these days? Still having problems with magic?" When she saw Tara's shocked gaze at that, Cordelia wanted to slap herself, but before she could apologize the blond witch turned and went towards the courtyard.

Cordelia looked at Xander, but he simply shook his head in disgust and followed Tara. The former cheerleader sighed, she hadn't been such a bitch since high school. What the hell was wrong with her?

*****

"I can hear his heartbeat."

Buffy stiffened slightly at the sound of Angel's voice, then forced herself to relax, softly combing her fingers through his hair. They were the first words he had spoken in twenty-four hours.

"It's so strong and steady," he went on, his voice quiet, laced with pain, "like yours. Just faster." Slowly he pushed her sweater up, revealing her rounded abdomen to his gaze. They were both still fully clothed, neither of them had made the effort to get rid of their clothes the previous night. The curtains were tightly closed, and only sparse light filtered through them. "I love you," Buffy heard her lover whisper, "both of you. So very much. Without you…" his voice broke, and suddenly she felt his lips on her bare skin, kissing it gently, kissing their child through it.

"I love you, too," she whispered, her hands traveling down his back, holding him. "I'm glad you let me in. I'm glad you trust me."

"Always," he told her. "I always trusted you. When I was young, I mean when I was human, I … practically had a different sex partner each night." He looked up at her and instead of the grimace he had expected, he found only compassion and understanding, so he went on. "I thought I was … such a great lad. You know, all the girls were crazy about me, and it seemed great. The guys envied me, but neither them nor I ever realized that I was simply alone. All those one-night-stands, I tried to convince myself that each of them were something special, but special had nothing to do with it. Being lonely did. Not interested in a real relationship. Not able to connect with people except in the most superficial way."

Something that almost resembled a smile appeared on his lips, "Then I met you. And suddenly getting in bed with you wasn't important anymore." He saw something flicker through her eyes and hurried on, "Not that I didn't think you were attractive, because I think you are. More attractive than anyone else actually, but - the point is, I wanted to know you first."

"Plus the vampire-Slayer thing," Buffy added with a little grin.

"Yeah, that was a problem too, but I loved you from the moment you came down the stairs at Hemery. I never knew before what love was. The only person who loved me before was my little sister, and she was so much younger than I. And I had been a recluse for almost hundred years, so it was quite a shock. My first real connection to humanity and it was you."

"I'm not saying I didn't have a crush on another man before you, but you were the first. I mean-"

"I kind of noticed."

Her grin widened, "No, that's not what I mean. You were the first I even considered doing it with. And what you said about trust and … you know, connecting in the superficial way? That's why Riley left. Because I didn't let him in. Seems you ruined me for the rest of them."

She had expected him to smile at that, but without warning his eyes were tearing up and he tightened his hold around her, "God, I miss him, Buffy. I miss him so."

"I know," she replied, feeling her own heart break for him.

"He was just … a baby. Just a little kid. He'll … I hate Wesley. I don't think I've ever hated anyone as much as I hate him right now."

Buffy could hear him gritting his teeth, and when she looked down he had unconsciously changed into his game-face. "Angel," she traced the thick ridges above his brows, then leaned down and kissed his mouth, letting her tongue trace over his sharp, prolonged canines disappearing under her touch. When she looked up again, his human gaze was back. "Wesley was wrong. But he ... did it to help. He thought Connor's life was in danger. He chose the wrong way, but-"

"I can't think that way, Buffy." Angel said, letting go of her and sitting up beside her on the bed. "I tried. Tonight, here in your arms I tried, but I - for a moment I found myself hoping his injuries were bad enough to …" he shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "He, he was my friend … and to think that Wesley … He should have trusted me. But he didn't."

"He betrayed you. It makes everything so much worse, I know." Buffy planted a light kiss on Angel's cheek, then leaned her head against his shoulder, "I miss him too, you know."

She heard him sigh beside her, "Strange enough," he said, "Knowing that makes it a little easier to bear."

"I love you," she whispered.

"Yes, I know. I love you, too."

*****

"The princess is sad."

"Hmmm?" Fred glanced at Groo who stood in the doorway watching Cordelia behind the counter. She was alone now, her gaze on the computer, but she wasn't really looking at it.

"I said-"

"Yeah, we heard," Gunn interrupted him. He usually liked the other man, but right now Cordelia's sadness was the last concern on Gunn's list. "We're all not too happy about what happened."

"Yes, I can see that. There is great sadness around this house. In Mexico people were happy and did smile a lot."

"You were on holiday there, man. People tend to behave that way then."

The same moment the phone on Wes' desk rang. "Hello," Fred answered, "Angel Investig- Excuse me? Who are you?" She looked at the other two men who had raised their heads. "Oh, I see. One moment, please." She covered the mouthpiece of the receiver, "It's Willow. I almost didn't recognize her voice. She has some news - for Buffy." Fred gazed helplessly at the two men, unsure what to do. The last she wanted was to disturb Angel and Buffy right now.

"It's Willow?" Cordelia stood in the door. "What does she want?"

"She wants to talk to either Buffy or Angel," Fred replied, still holding the receiver.

After a moment of consideration, Cordelia took it from her, "Willow? Hey, it's Cordy. Yes, Fred told me. But I…Angel and Buffy aren't … yes, I understand it's urgent, but they - . WHAT? Okay, okay, wait. I'll put you through. Just don't hang up. I'm sure Buffy will take the call if you let it ring. Fine. Talk to you later."

After transferring the call to Angel's apartment, the brunette replaced the receiver in the cradle and took a deep breath, but her eyes were huge when she looked at the others in the room.

"What is it?" Fred wanted to know.

"Are you not feeling well?" Groo's face was etched with concern.

"Cordy, snap out of it. What happened?" She saw Gunn looking at her expectantly, but all she could do was stare at him in shock.

*

"What?" Buffy asked incredulously, "Willow, slow down. What did Giles tell you?" She turned her head, her eyes meeting Angel's, knowing the vampire was able to hear everything her witchy friend was saying. The vampire had grabbed the Slayer's arm, and was squeezing it. "And he is certain? But Connor … we all thought…Oh my God." Buffy slightly shifted her arm, then turned it around, so her palm connected with Angel's. Slowly they laced their fingers. "But that's not possible, Willow. Connor is Angel's firstborn child and - You what? And you are hundred percent sure? Willow, this is serious, I have to-. No, I don't think you're an idiot. I'm sorry. Yes, yes, I heard. "

The redhead was still talking on the other end of the line, but Buffy was only half-listening now. Her eyes held Angel's, and she hated the pain she saw in them. This was almost as worse as hearing that someone had taken your child. "Angel," Buffy whispered his name, feeling a tear slip from her eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"She lied to me," he said simply. "It shouldn't really surprise me, she was a vampire after all, but I really thought ... I .," he slightly shook his head, as if to clear his mind. He was still having problems digesting the news. "I should've known, I mean, he attacked me after all. And with a truck. I should've known his jealously didn't originate from some platonic kiss."

The telephone receiver lying neglected on the bed, Buffy went to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him. "They even used Connor. We should've killed them both when we had the chance yesterday." She knew Lilah and Linwood were human, and she also know that she would never go through with such a threat, but right now, she felt such rage, such fury, Buffy was sure she might at least be able to hurt them badly.

"I wonder if Lindsey even knows," Angel said after a while, looking at Buffy, "I suppose nobody ever bothered to inform him that he is a father."

END (of this part)
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