Chapter 4
Connor waited at the side of the road until Angel and Cordelia arrived forty five minutes later. Cordelia had her arms crossed and a very angry look on her face.
“Where is she?” Angel asked.
“Probably on her way to Los Angeles International by now.” Connor explained. “She’s not staying. She made Spike take her to get some stuff and then she’s gone.”
“Gone where?” Angel questioned.
“I don’t know.” Connor shrugged. “All she said to everyone was that she wanted to leave. I’m thinking the country.”
“Get in.” Angel told Connor. “Cordelia, drive to LAX right now. We need to stop her.”
“We?” Cordelia slammed on the brakes. “No, Angel. Not we. I’m not playing any part of going to see Saint Buffy.”
“Cordelia, can you just stop this fit of jealousy?!” Connor fumed and rolled his eyes. “It’s tired.”
“God, you sound just like her.” Cordelia muttered.
“Shut up and drive.” Connor ordered. “I don’t have a license and unless you want my Dad burned to a crisp, you have to drive.”
“Fine.” Cordelia growled. “Let’s go rescue Saint Buffy.”
The rest of the car ride was silent. Cordelia spotted Spike’s car at the Fairmont Apartments. Cordelia slammed on the brakes and pulled up to the curb.
“Wait here.” Angel told them.
Angel manages to make it into the building without being burned. He senses which apartment is Buffy’s and breaks down the door. Spike is lying in the middle of the floor, semi-conscious and groaning in pain.
“She took off.” Spike managed out after seeing Angel. “She said something about Philly or some shit like that before knocking me unconscious with that broken chair.”
“She didn’t go to Philly, Spike.” Angel shook his head in disagreement. “She’s going to Cleveland. That’s the nearest Hellmouth. She wants to get killed again, she’s going there.”
“Then let’s hurry then, mate.” Spike concluded.
~LAX, Minutes later~
“Now boarding flight 521 to Cleveland, Ohio.” The announcer came on the intercom. “Once again, that’s Flight 521 to Cleveland, Ohio at Gate 19. Flight 521 at Gate 19.”
Buffy grabbed her duffel as she walked to the boarding gate. She was finally going home. Home to her, a Hellmouth.
“Gate 19.” Connor pointed out. “Cleveland, Ohio. Why would she be going someplace so obvious?”
“Cuz it’ll kill her.” Angel told him as they rushed to the gate. Buffy was nowhere to be found.
“Looks like she boarded the plane.” Connor guessed. “Right?”
“I don’t know.” Angel muttered. “Damnit!”
“Now what?” Connor asked. “Did you want to go to Cleveland?”
“No.” Angel told him moments later and shook his head. “She didn’t board that plane, Connor. I don’t know why I didn’t sense it before.”
“How do you know?” Connor remarked.
“We have a connection.” Angel replied.
Then where’d she go?” Connor questioned.
“Wait.” Angel stopped. “She boarded a plane. Hold on a second. She’s going someplace I never thought I’d step foot in again.”
“And where is that, exactly?” Connor asked.
“She’s going to Galway.” Angel explained.
“Your hometown.” Connor concluded. “So, you’re leaving, I take it?”
“Yeah.” Angel nodded. “First plane out.”
“Man, still can’t believe you’re partly human.” Connor shrugged. “I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Angel argued. “Look, Connor. You’d only slow me down. Buffy’ll be on the move quick if she knows I’m tracking her. You’re extra baggage, and I can’t risk you. I’m sorry, Connor.”
“Oh, I see.” Connor rolled his eyes dramatically. “Spike was right.”
“About?” Angel pondered.
“I forced him to tell me the truth about Buffy, about your relationship…In addition to all those really fucked up details, he also told me that I wasn’t Darla’s kid.” Connor explained. “Said I didn’t have her scent.”
*Damn him!* Angel cursed inwardly. “What else did he say?”
“Just that my mom was still alive.” Connor remarked. “The really weird part is that I believe him.”
“Connor, Darla is your mother.” Angel lied. “And she’s not alive.”
“What if Spike’s right, though?” Connor asked. “What if I’m not Darla’s What if my mom is still alive?”
“Darla’s your mom.” Angel reminded him again.
“Okay, I have a question I need to ask you and I need an honest answer.” Connor spoke. “Is Buffy my mom?”
“No.” Angel lied to him. “Buffy’s not your mother, Connor. As much as I know you would like to believe that she’s alive, she’s not. Darla is your mother and she died giving birth to you. I can’t change those facts. I don’t know why Spike would lie to you and tell you bogus information, but it’s just not true.”
“All right. Fine. I believe you.” Connor nodded. “So, what are you gonna do about Cordelia?”
“Cordelia will just have to deal with my going.” Angel shrugged. “I need to find Buffy before she self destructs.”
“Are you and Cordy going to break up, ‘cuz that would be cool.” Connor implied.
“No.” Angel shook his head. “Sorry to break it to you, but I’m not planning on breaking it off with Cordelia any time soon.”
“Damn. Spoil my fun.” Connor teased. “Don’t worry. I can hold down the fort without you.”
“Thanks.” Angel hugged his son. “Oh, and try not to get killed, okay?”
“You know me.” Connor winked jokingly.
“I mean it.” Angel warned him. “Be careful.”
“In all seriousness, I don’t think you have to worry.” Connor promised him and left.
Angel purchases a ticket and waits for the plane to board. He takes a faded picture out of his wallet and scans the face by memory.
“Don’t worry, baby.” Angel sighed. “I’ll be there soon. Then you’ll be okay.”
“Is that your girlfriend?” the elderly woman sitting next to him asked.
“Wife.” Angel corrected.
“She’s very beautiful.” the woman noted.
“She’s amazing.” Angel agreed.
“So, how long have you two been married?” she asked.
“About ten years now.” Angel replied. “She’s been away, though.”
“Long distance relationship?” she prodded.
“Something like that.” Angel got up when his flight was called.
“Good luck then, son.” she called to him. “Lord knows you’re going to need it.”