Chapter 2
Elizabeth was almost finished tying her history report on her computer when there was a soft knock on the door. She then saved her report to a disk and muttered, “Come in, Dad.”
“How’d you know it was me?” Angel O’Connor asked her as he sat down in a nearby chair.
“I always know, Daddy. You’re the only one who doesn’t barge into my room, remember? Mom doesn’t even knock, not that she needs to. My friends always make noise as they’re coming up the stairs, and none of the family usually find me in my room. Really, it was a simple deduction.” She smirked. “What is it?”
“I have to go away for a few days. I need you to look after your Mom for me.” Angel told her.
“Okay, Dad. Normally I wouldn’t mind but you have ‘something’ face.” Elizabeth sighed. “So, you wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Where did you learn to be so intuitive?” Angel asked.
“I’ve always been that way, Dad.” Elizabeth replied. “Now, tell me what this big secret is that you don’t want Mom to know about. Huh?”
“She’s in danger.” Angel blurted out.
“She’s always in danger, Dad.” Elizabeth reminded him. “So, it’s gotta be something huge that’s got you so worked up. What’s she in danger from?”
“Me.”
“Why would she be in danger from you, Dad? Angelus is contained, has been for many years now. No worries.” Elizabeth shrugged.
“You don’t understand, Elizabeth.” Dad growled.
“Then explain it to me.”
“I can’t.” he defied.
“Why not?”
“You wouldn’t understand, Elizabeth.”
“Help me to understand, then, okay? Don’t treat me like a child. I’m eighteen years old, I’m not a child anymore.” Elizabeth yelled. “Just tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m not sure I fully understand myself. Cordelia said that--” Angel started to say.
“Cordelia?!” Elizabeth interrupted him. “Dad, I can’t believe you actually listened to her.”
“Look, Elizabeth, I know that you don’t like her but she’s my best friend.” Angel mentioned.
“Like? NO, I don’t like her, Dad. I hate her, I loathe and despise her. “ Elizabeth retorted. “She tried to break up my family. She tried to tear you and Mom apart and almost killed Uncle Doyle in the process. So, no, Dad, I don’t like her.”
“She was under a spell, Liz. You know that.” Angel replied. “You of all people should know what that’s like.”
“I didn’t kill anybody. She did. She almost killed Aunt Will and a good portion of our family, including Mom.” Elizabeth scoffed. “I don’t see how you can just move past that. And please, don’t give me the “All The Bad Things I Did When I Was Angelus” speech again. I’ve heard it. It’s not the same. She abused her higher being status to try and make you fall in love with her. That’s something I can never get past. Now, Cordelia’s gotten you all worked up for nothing. Just sit back, relax. Nothing bad’s gonna happen, you know? We’re warriors. What could possibly happen?”