Title: Angel Season Seven
Author: brownsbros3
Posted: 09-25-2004
Email: brownsbros3@yahoo.com
Rating: TV-14
Category: Drama, Action
Content:
Summary: This is the fifth installment of my fantasy season seven of Angel.
Spoilers:
Disclaimer: The characters in the Angelverse were created by Joss Whedon & David Greenwalt. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
Distribution: Only by request
Notes: This episode will be focused on what I thought was an intriguing storyline that was introduced in the season five episode "Lineage," but I'm surprised they never followed up on. This will deal with what would Wesley do if offered another chance at being a watcher.
Feedback: Is welcomed and encouraged.
Thanks/Dedication:
Episode 5: Priorities
Cast: David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, James Marsters, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, Vincent Kartheiser, Andy Hallett, and Alexis Denisof
Special Guest Stars: Roy Dotrice, Anthony Stuart Head, Tom Lenk, Eliza Dushku, and Navi Rawat
"Would you mind running that by me again?" Wesley asks his father over the telephone.
"I'd like for you and Winifred to come to England as soon as you are available," Roger Wyndham-Pryce tells his son. "There is an important matter that I would like to discuss."
Wesley seems puzzled. He and his father have never gotten along. They did make peace at he and Fred's wedding, but Roger specifically summoning Wesley to England has peeked his curiosity. "We have something going on at the present time, father, but when our schedule clears we'll be in touch." Wesley hangs up the phone, and looks at Fred. "My father has asked for you and I to come to England."
"So what's the problem?" Fred asks. "I'd love to visit your family's estate."
"It was his tone of voice," Wesley says. "I can't put my finger on it, but something was definitely not right."
"So are we going?" Fred wants to know.
"Not yet," Wesley responds. "With the First lurking here in Los Angeles, you and I are needed here. We'll talk about this some more after we get some sleep." Wes kisses Fred good night, (even though its about 7:30am), and they drift off to sleep.
In the early part of the afternoon, Cordelia is doing some light cleaning around the office. Angel walks in wanting to know why she's not resting. "Are you nuts?" Cordelia asks. "This place is a mess. You don't want our baby living in a pig sty do you?"
"Cordy," Angel says while trying to be soothing. "The baby won't be here for another six months. I think we've got time to get the place spick and span by then." Angel then notices Cordelia's eyes suddenly going completely white. "Cordy, what is it?"
"It's a vision," Cordy replies. "It's you, me,...and Fred. No wait, it's not Fred, it's Illyria. There's a portal opening behind us, and oh my God, we're being sucked in. Noooo!" Cordelia's scream brings the rest of the Gang running downstairs.
"What's going on?" Gunn asks. "Vamps, demons, monsters...."
"Cordelia just had a vision," Angel explains.
"Are you okay sweetie?" Lorne questions. "May I get you anything?"
"No, thanks. I'm okay," Cordelia trying to clear her head. Connor and Spike enter from outside.
"What the hell's the matter with her?" Spike asks.
Fred explains, "Cordelia had a vision."
"Of what?" Connor asks.
"That's what we are trying to ascertain," Wesley informs them. "Now Cordelia please start from the beginning."
"I saw Angel and I. We were confronted by Illyria. Then Illyria recited some sort of incantation, and a portal opened behind us, and we were sucked into it."
"Fred, you don't still have Illyria's essence here in the hotel, do you?" Spike asks. Fred winces.
"Fred?" Wesley looking at his wife for answers.
They all shout in unison, "Fred!"
"Well, yes," Fred admits. "I wasn't planning on using it. I was just studying it."
"Shortcake," Lorne scolds. "The last time you and Illyria met, she killed you. Why would you want to go through that again?"
"I thought I might be able to figure out a way to use it to our advantage," Fred states. "Look at me. I'm not the warrior that you guys are. I just thought that maybe she and I could find a way to co-exist. That way I could be just plane old Fred most of the time, but when there's a battle to be fought, then Illyria could take over."
Angel advises, "Fred, I don't want you taking those types of risks. You're a valued member of this team, and I don't want us to lose you again."
"Neither do I," Wesley states. "Pack your bags we're going to England."
"Whoa, wait a minute," Cordelia begs. "Just because I had one measley little vision doesn't mean you guys should leave town."
"Yeah, whatever this is, we can work through it," Connor says. "Isn't that what you guys have been trying to teach me for the last few years?"
"If you must know, my father called this morning," Wesley explains. "He told me that he wanted to discuss something Fred and I."
"I thought you and your dad don't exactly get along," Gunn says.
Wesley responds, "We don't. With this vision of Cordelia's, maybe its best that we leave for a little while at least."
Spike shouts, "Road trip!" They inform him that he's not going. "Oh well then, if you're going to be like that then I'm outta here." He leaves.
Wesley and Fred jet off for London. When they arrive, Wesley's parents are there to greet them at the airport. They then travel to the Wyndham-Pryce estate. "Wesley, it's so beautiful out here," Fred states. "Why did you ever leave?"
"It's a long story," Wesley informs her. "I'll tell you about it later after we've had a chance to settle in." They enter the home. After putting up their luggage, Fred goes with Wesley's mother on a tour of the estate, while Wesley meets with his father in the study. He then notices that there are two more guests, Rupert Giles and Andrew Wells.
"What are they doing here?" Wesley asks.
"Sit down son," Roger instructs. "Now the reason, I, well, we've summoned you here is that we would like to make you an offer."
"What sort of offer?" Wesley wishes to know.
Giles explains, "As you know Wesley, the Watcher's Council was destroyed a few years ago. In Sunnydale, in order to stop the First's army from coming through the Hellmouth into this dimension, Buffy and Faith used their power to awaken the slayer skills of potentials all over the world. We have thousands of slayers now, but no watchers to help guide them. Your father, my apprentice Andrew, and I have been discussing the possibility of reforming the Watcher's Council. We'd like you to be apart of that."
"The last time you were a watcher, you weren't that experienced," Roger continues. "However, I think the time in Los Angeles has helped you to mature."
Andrew adds, "Look Wesley, I know we kind of got off on the wrong foot last time, but after seeing what you and Angel were able to do with Faith, we realize we could definitely use you. Giles, your father, and you are the only people left with Watcher experience, and I'm still just trying to learn the ropes."
"And just why the bloody hell, should I trust any of you?" Wesley asks.
"We've seen firsthand what the First is capable of," Giles tells him. "It is the very worst kind of evil. We may very well need every last one of these slayers to defeat it."
"I'll think it over," Wesley replies as he gets up to leave.
"Dude, what's to think over?" Andrew questions as he grabs Wesley by the arm. "They're giving the chance to redeem yourself. You ought to take it."
Wesley stares a hole through Andrew. Andrew releases his grip as Wesley turns to face him. "Look here you little weasel. Out of respect for my father and Mr. Giles, I'm not going to make a scene. But if you ever touch me again I'll rip your arms out of their sockets, and have them mounted on my wall as trophies." Andrew let's out a big gulp of fear.
Wesley goes upstairs and explains the offer to Fred. "What are you going to do?" Fred inquires.
"It's not an easy choice," Wesley informs her. "On the one hand, you have the people that we love and have become like extended family back in Los Angeles. They depend on us to help the mission along. On the other hand, being a watcher was something that I trained for my entire life. I remember the disgrace and shame I felt when the Council fired me. After the events of the last couple of years, I've learned the value of getting a second chance. What do you think I should do?"
"You are a good man Wesley," Fred instructs him. "You care about others so passionately, and you always try to do what you think is right. That's what I love about you. I can't tell you what to do on something like this, you have to search your heart, and I know you'll do what's best. And whatever you choose, you will have my support." Fred kisses him.
"Thank you," Wesley says. "That means a lot. I think I'm just going to take a walk by myself to clear my head."
Fred gets on the phone, and calls back to Los Angeles. Cordelia answers, "Whoa Fred slow down. Now go slowly okay."
"Roger, Giles, and Andrew are here," Fred tells her. "They want Wesley to become a watcher again and move back to England permanently. Please, Cordy, you guys have to get here now."
"We're on our way," Cordelia replies.
"Where are we going?" Angel asks as he enters with Gunn, Lorne, and Connor.
"Fred called and she's hysterical," Cordelia explains. "Apparently Wesley's dad, Giles, and somebody named Andrew are trying to talk Wesley into becoming a watcher again."
"So what's the big deal?" Connor asks.
"Fred likes it here in L.A. with us, and doesn't want move," Cordelia adds.
"Why doesn't she just tell Wesley that?" Lorne asks.
"She's trying to be supportive," Cordelia responds. "Let him make his own decision. She's forgetting the number one rule of being married: that the man's opinion only matters when it doesn't conflict with the wife's."
"Gee, that was something I picked up on right away," Angel chimes in.
"And that's why we're just happy as we can be," Cordelia says while snuggling next to Angel.
Gunn asks, "Would you like for the three of us to leave the room?"
The phone rings again. This time its Spike. "It's done," he tells Angel.
"You've got what's left of Illyria hidden in a safe spot?" Angel asks.
"Yeah, no one will find it where I've got it stashed," Spike proclaims.
"Good," Angel says. "Oh, and Spike, the road trip's on."
While out in the yard, Wesley hears the sound of battle waging on. He searches for the source of the noise, and comes across two females battling. Wesley gets a closer look and sees that it is Faith and Dana. "What are the two of you doing?" Wesley asks.
"Training," Faith replies. "We're also waiting to here whether or not you're gonna be back on watcher duty."
"Faith was telling me about you," Dana explains. "She told me that you helped guide her when she fought Angelus and the Beast."
Wesley sits down on a bench with the two young slayers. "I'm not sure that's exactly the best example."
"Wes, you taught me how to stay focused, and to look within myself to find what it takes to get the job done," Faith says. "I used to just let my fists do my talking, but now I've been able to do a better job of just usin' the old noggin."
"I can't really take credit for your reformation Faith," Wesley reminds her. "Angel had more to do with that than I did."
"Don't sell yourself short," Faith informs him. "If it weren't for you pushing my buttons, Angelus would still be on the loose. You have what it takes to be a good watcher. If I weren't so screwed up the first time around, maybe I would have seen that."
"Faith has been the one pushing for you to be reinstated as a watcher," Dana tells Wesley.
"Why?" Wesley asks.
"Because I got you fired," Faith explains. "But now I know you are exactly what Dana and I and the other potentials need. What I'm asking is simple Wesley, will you be my watcher again?"
"There are a lot of things to consider, ladies," Wesley says while thinking of excuses. "Number one being my wife. I don't know if I could just uproot her to a whole other country. Then there are my responsibilities at Angel Investigations."
Faith offers, "Maybe you should sleep on it. After all that flying, you guys are probably tired. Just please think about what we've said."
Wesley assures her that he will.
The next morning, Angel, Cordelia, Spike, Gunn, Lorne, and Connor arrive at the Wyndham-Price estate. "Fancy digs," Gunn blurts out.
"You can just smell the money," Cordelia says. Angel takes a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes some drool from her mouth.
"This is a nice place," Connor observes. "I wonder why Wesley would want to live in a crummy hotel, when he's got a place like this? No offense dad."
"None taken," Angel replies.
"The answer to your question is simple junior," Spike explains. "Wesley's father is an ass. I met him several years ago. It's a long story."
"We're here!" Lorne yells. Fred comes rushing down the stairs to greet them. She hugs Cordelia around the neck, and sobs on her shoulder.
"Oh, Cordy he did it," Fred cries. "He is joining the Watcher's Council and we're moving to England."
"Fred, what happened?" Cordelia asks.
"Faith and Dana talked him into it," Fred explains. "Angel, you've got to talk him out of back out it. I don't want to move here. I love our life in Los Angeles with you guys. I'd miss you all so much. If we move here, I won't be able to see my folks but once maybe twice a year. I'll have to learn to drive on the other side of the road too."
Faith sees Connor, rushes into his arms, and greets him with a big lingering kiss. Spike checks his watch after they stayed liplocked for several moments. Faith says, "This is a pleasant surprise. What are you guys doing here? Oh, let me guess you heard about Wesley leaving, and you're here to stop him."
"That's the gist of it, yeah," Connor tells her.
"This is a big opportunity for Wesley," Faith informs them. "He's trained his whole life for this, and we need him."
Cordelia retorts, "Yeah, but we need him too. He's not only our friend, but he's also part of our family, and we aren't giving him up without a fight." Faith whistles and Dana, as well as several of their fellow slayers step into the room from the shadows.
"I think we might be a little outnumbered," Spike says as the Fang Gang prepares for battle.
"That's never stopped us before," Angel mentions.
"Stand down," Wesley commands as he enters with Giles.
"You heard him slayers," Giles adds. The slayers leave accept for Faith and Dana.
"Giles, what did you do to him?" Cordelia asks.
"Nothing," Wesley states. "This was my decision."
"Wesley, we need to talk," Angel says.
Angel and Wesley adjourn into the study. "Are you sure about this?" Wesley assures Angel that he is.
"After all the years of turmoil," Wesley explains. "My life is finally coming together. They need me. You have all these slayers out there with no proper training. You and I both know that a slayer without proper training can be a danger to herself and others."
"But, we need you too Wesley," Angel responds. "You're part of the team. You have helped me on more times than I can count. I was the best man at your wedding, and you were the best man at my wedding. You are one of the few people in this world that I can call a true friend, and that's something I don't want to lose. So are you absolutely sure about this?"
"Angel, I value our friendship," Wesley says. "That's what is making this so difficult. Being a watcher is something I trained for my whole life. When I was fired by the council seven years ago, I lost my identity. Now is my chance to get that back."
"Well then all I have to say is thank you," Angel extends his hand, and Wesley shakes it. "I wish you and Fred the best."
"I wish the same for you and Cordy as well," Wesley replies. "Please, stay here at the house a few days. It would be a shame to come all the way here and then go back so soon."
"I think we will," Angel says. "Just until we make sure, that you're sure."
Angel and Wesley re-emerged from the study. Fred asks if there was any change and he replied no. Fred runs upstairs crying. Wesley asks, "What's with her?"
Lorne tells him, "Fred asked us not to say." Cordelia tries to shut Lorne up, but he blurts out, "She doesn't want to stay here. She wants to come home to L.A."
"By why didn't she tell me this?" Wesley ponders.
"She didn't want to stand in your way," Cordelia states. "Fred felt that if you were to pass up the chance to become a watcher again because of her that you'd eventually grow to resent her."
"That's ridiculous, I could never hate Fred. Maybe, I should go and talk to her," Wesley reasons.
"That's be a good start," Gunn suggests.
The group watches as Illyria makes an appearance at the entrance way. "Oh crap!" Lorne exclaims.
"I think the talking part may have to wait," Spike tells them.
"Come on she can't take all of us," Connor responds. Unfortunately, he is wrong as Illyria fights and defeats all of them. Angel and Cordelia charge toward Illyria as Fred comes back down the stairs. They stop and realize it's not Fred. Illyria recites the incantation. A portal appears behind Angel and Cordelia, and they get sucked in.
Connor scream, "Dad! Cordy! You bitch!" He charges at Illyria, and holds his own for a little while, but she grabs Connor and throws him into Gunn, Spike, and Lorne. Faith and Dana try to attack, but they too are no match for Illyria. They then watch as Illyria morphs into Roger. Roger states, "Two down, and more to follow." Roger then leaves. Wesley, Fred, Gunn, Lorne, Connor, Spike, Faith, Dana, Andrew, and Giles search the grounds. They find the body of the real Roger Wyndham-Price lying dead in the cellar. "He's dead," Giles examines.
Andrew ponders, "So if that wasn't your father than who???"
Wesley says just two words, "The First."
Fred adds, "Angel and Cordelia have been sucked into a portal. Who know's where they ended up, or how we're going to get them back?"
Angel and Cordelia are lying on the ground. Angel is the first to awaken. He rushes to Cordelia's side to make sure she and the baby are alright. Cordelia says she's okay, and they look around. "Angel, where are we?" she asks.
"Ireland," Angel replies. "I'd say about 226 years in the past. Oh, no it can't be."
"What is it?" Cordelia asks while noticing the fearful look on her husband's face.
Angel summons up the strength to say, "It's my parent's house......"
Episode 6: Past, Present, and Future
Cast: David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, James Marsters, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, Vincent Kartheiser, Andy Hallett, and Alexis Denisof
Special Guest Stars: Glenda Morgan Brown, Jay Kenneth Campbell, Eliza Dushku, Alyson Hannigan-Denisof, Anthony Stuart Head, Tom Lenk, and Navi Rawat
"Your parents' house?" Cordelia asks. "But how is that possible?" She notices Angel looking around in disbelief.
"It wasn't a portal," Angel reasons. "It must have been some sort of time warp. We've got to get out of these clothes."
"Hold on," Cordelia says while placing a hand on Angel's chest. "Now's not the time to get frisky."
Angel explains, "I know how these people think. If they see us in these modern clothes, they're going to think we're witches, and probably try to burn us at the stake."
Cordelia responds, "Lead the way."
Back in modern times, Giles places important call to Willow, and informs her of the situation. Willow arrives at the Wyndham-Pryce estate. Spike and Lorne show her where the First was standing, as well as where the portal opened. "How are Wesley and Fred?" Willow asks.
Gunn answers, "Wesley is taking it pretty hard. He'd always hoped to one day make peace with his dad, and now that ain't going to happen. Fred's doin' her best to be there for him."
"And Connor?" Willow continues.
Dana answers, "Faith is with him on the back patio."
Andrew tells Willow, "This all just caught us completely off guard. Here we are thinking, we're about to reform the Watcher's Council, then the First shows up, and then Angel and Cordelia go poof."
"Any assistance you can provide in the matter Willow would be greatly appreciated," Giles states.
"I'll do what I can," Willow states.
"This sucks!" Connor yells. Faith can sense the frustration inside of him.
"It'll be okay Connor," Faith says. "We'll get them back."
"You don't know that," Connor replies. "I can't believe this is happening. Dad and I are finally on good terms, and Cordy and I finally seem to have put all the crap from a few years ago behind us, and now they're gone."
Faith puts her arm around Connor to comfort him. Faith then tells him, "You know I've never been really to good at the comforting thing. I do one thing though. Your dad and Cordelia are survivors, and with Wesley, Fred, Giles, and Willow working on it, I think they'll be in good hands."
Wesley and Fred are in Roger's study looking through his books for anything he might have on inter-dimensional travel. "Wesley?" Fred asks. "We should talk."
"Not right now," Wesley replies. "Angel and Cordy need us." Wesley looks some more books, and notices something fall out. Wesley picks it up and looks at it in astonishment. "I can't believe he actually kept this."
"Wesley, what is it?" Fred questions.
"It's a little drawing I made back when I was a small boy," Wesley starts to tear up. His mother enters the room and says, "Your father had a rough exterior, but deep down he was an old softie at heart."
"But he was always on my case," Wesley reminds her. "Nothing I did seemed good enough."
"That's because he wanted what was best for you," Mrs. Wyndham-Pryce stated. "He never expressed his emotions, because he was raised not to, but I know in my heart of hearts that he loved you, son. And now he's gone." Wesley, Fred, and Mrs. Wyndham-Pryce tear up, and have a group hug.
Lorne knocks on the door, "I hate to interrupt the family moment here, but can we see you guys downstairs?"
Wesley dries his eyes with a handkerchief and tells Lorne, "Yes. We'll be down in a few minutes."
"Take your time sweetie," Lorne says. "And I'm sorry for your loss."
Angel and Cordelia rummage through the family cottage. The family is out at the moment. "Are you sure your mom won't mind me trying on her things?" Cordelia asks.
"No," Angel replies. "They're out for right now, but they could be back anytime soon. Oh, and another thing, remember to call me Liam instead of Angel."
"Right," Cordelia responds. "Oh, could you tie this in the back for me?" Cordelia glances over the pilgrim attire she's wearing. "Great, now all we need are some Indians and a peace pipe. On the plus side though, at least this bodice makes my breasts look larger. Hey, eyes up here mister."
"Sorry," Angel said.
"One thing still concerns me," Cordelia mentions. "I've seen enough time travel movies to know to ask this, but what do we do if we run into the you from this era?"
"I don't think we'll have to worry about that," Angel answers. "When I was Liam, I used to be gone for weeks at a time boozing and whoring."
"Just how many women have you slept with?" Cordelia asks. "I shouldn't start worrying about getting an STD should I?"
"No," Angel retorts. "Back during this time, STDs hadn't been invented yet." Angel then hears footsteps approaching. His mother, father, and little sister are returning home. "Now comes the hard part, explaining you to them."
Wesley, his mother, and Fred come down the stairs. Andrew asks, "Any luck with the book search?"
"No," Wesley says. "I'm afraid not."
"To bad, we didn't record the incident," Spike ponders. "Then we could just copy the right spell off the television."
Mrs. Wyndham-Pryce says, "There is a security camera in one of the ceiling panels above the chandelier."
"And you couldn't have told us this sooner?" Gunn questions.
"Allow me," Dana tells them. She gets a running start, and leaps up to the chandelier. She then balances herself, and retrieves the video camera.
"Well done, grasshopper," Andrew proclaims in a bad, exaggerated Japanese accent. "So does anyone here do shorthand?"
Angel's palms are getting sweaty as his family enters the door. His mother and sister are excited to see him, and while Angel's dad is still his usual stoic self. "I missed you, Liam," Angel's sister says. "Where have you been?"
"I missed you too," Angel tells her. "I spent some time in the new world, and oh, the stories I have to tell." Angel's mother gives him a big hug. Even though his father was a jerk, he got along very well with his mother and sister.
"Who is your friend?" Angel's father asks. "Another one of your barmaids?"
"No father," Angel informs him. "Sit down, I...that is we have some news for you."
"What is it son?" Angel's mother asks.
"I'd like you to meet Cordelia," Angel informs them. Cordelia says hello. Angel continues, "She's my wife, and she is with child."
"Married?" Angel's mother says as she starts to feel faint. She's about to fall, but Angel uses his speed to catch her.
"Married?" His father's voice begins to fill with rage. "How dare you come back to this house? You never liked any of the nice girls we tried to arrange for you to be with. Instead, you give in to your sinful urges and impregnate this harlot, and now the two of you are wed?"
Cordelia gets up and responds, "No, you've got that backwards. We got married first, and then we gave into our sinful urges. I'm not helping here am I?"
Angel replies through gritted teeth, "Ya think?" Some more arguing commences, and then Angel notices a strange look on Cordelia's face.
"Ang...I mean Liam," Cordelia says. "I think I just felt the baby kick."
"Really," Angel feels Cordelia's stomach. He then looks up and smiles at her.
Angel's sister walks over and asks, "Can I feel it?"
"Sure, sweetie," Cordelia agrees. Angel places her on his lap, and she reaches across to feel Cordelia's stomach.
"I felt the baby, I felt the baby!" she says excitedly. "Does this mean I'm going to be an auntie?"
"It sure does my little lamb," Angel tells her. "And our mom and dad are going to be grandparents, whether they like it or not."
Fred finishes copying the words from Illyria/the First in the video. Willow recognizes them, "These aren't words to open a portal. These are words to open a time warp."
Connor ponders, "You mean dad and Cordelia aren't in another dimension, they're in another time period?"
"So how do we find out which one?" Faith asks.
"I don't know," Fred replies. "The possibilities are endless."
"Maybe not," Giles states. "One of the few things, we've learned about the First is that there is a method to its madness. Perhaps it picked one point in Angel's life, to send them to."
"Of course," Wesley says. "And I think I might know which one. We haven't a moment to lose."
Back in the 1700's, Cordelia confronts Angel's mother. "I'm sorry to just spring all this on you guys like this."
"It's alright child," Angel's mother replies. "It's just going to take some getting used to. I'm glad Liam found you. I can already see the changes you've made in him."
"What do you mean changes?" Cordelia asks.
She answers, "When he was defending you to his father. Liam used to never be passionate about anyone, but himself. I was also watching when the two of you were playing with his little sister, and the calming influence you have on him. You seem to have brought out a sense of humanity in my son that he hasn't had since he was a small boy."
"Well, I try," Cordelia grins.
"My husband was rather rude storming out of here," Angel's mom explains. "But give him time, and maybe he'll come around. Although, we weren't there for the wedding, I would like to welcome you to our family."
"Thank you," Cordelia answers. She hugs Angel's mother, but then has to quickly break it off, as she gets a vision. Angel hears her call his name and runs into the kitchen. "There is a abandoned house down the road. It's about to go up in flames. There are two children trapped inside. You've got to go." Angel rushes out of the house. Cordelia then turns back to his mom, who's looking unnerved, and says, "I can explain.."
Angel arrives at the burning house. His vampire hearing detects the sound of the children screaming. Angel is about to go inside when his father grabs his arm. "Are you insane, boy?" He asks.
"Father, I can't argue now, there are children trapped inside," Angel informs him. Angel then kicks in the front door, and makes his way upstairs to the loft, and doing his best to dodge the flames. He finds the children, who by now had passed out from smoke inhalation, throws them over his shoulders, and then jumps out the second story window to ground below. Angel sees that his father was watching, so he fakes an ankle sprain to keep from revealing his vampire abilities. Cordelia and the rest of Angel's family arrives.
Cordelia uses her modern medicine training, and a little demon healing power to help bring the children around. The mother of the two children hugs Liam and says, "Thank the Lord you arrived. Truly you are an angel."
"Did you hear that mommy?" Angel's sister asks. "Liam's an angel." Angel and Cordelia exchange smiles.
"How did the fire start?" Angel's father wants to know.
One of the kids says, "We were in there playing and it soon it was just fire everywhere."
Angel inspects the scene and comes to a conclusion, "This was no accident."
"That's right," a voice from behind him says. It's a group of about five vampires.
Angel orders, "Father, Cordelia, get these people out of here now."
"But son, you can't possibly fight these beasts yourself," Angel's father states.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing," Angel informs him. Cordelia ushers the family back to their home. Angel fights the vampires. He breaks a piece of wood from one of the trees, and creates a makeshift stake. He takes three of them out right away. The fourth jumps on his back. The vampire is about to bite Angel, when his father returns with a musket. Angel's father shoots the vampire. The bullet wounds him, but just slows him down long enough for Angel to stake him. The fifth vampire snatches the musket away and fires it at Angel, but his father steps in front and takes the bullet in the chest. The vampire then runs away. Angel runs to his fallen father, who's bleeding badly.
"Look's like I'm going to be with God now," Angel's father says. "But before I go, I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you son. It took a while, but you've finally become the man I knew you could be."
"The harps aren't playing just yet," Angel picks him up and carries him back to the cottage.
In the cottage, Angel's father passes out from the blood loss. Cordelia uses a pair of tongs to reach in and remove the bullet. Afterwards, she cleans the blood off of him, and uses her powers to start the healing process. "Just call me Dr. Cordy, Medicine Woman," Cordelia tells them.
"How is he?" Angel's mother asks.
"I think he's going to be just fine," Angel assures her.
Angel and Cordelia are walking through the field when they notice another time warp opening. Wesley, Fred, Connor, Gunn, Spike, and Lorne step through it.
"Angel, Cordy, there isn't much time," Wesley states. "Willow is keeping the time warp open as long as she can, but we must hurry."
"I can't just leave," Angel says. "I've finally on good terms with my family."
"Oh, crumbcake, that's nice to hear," Lorne says. "There's just one problem with that."
"The First set this whole thing up," Spike explains. "If you stop Angelus here, then you aren't around in the future to stop the First from taking over."
"According to my calculations," Fred informs him. "Tonight is the night, you meet Darla. If you stop Angelus from existing, you save yourself from 200 plus years, of torture."
Gunn chimes in, "But none of us band together, and the First takes over and kills everything in its path in the future."
"I guess you have a choice to make," Connor informs him.
"No Connor, no baby on the way, and no us," Cordelia. "I can't tell you what to do here Angel. You have to look inside yourself and decide, are we worth 200 years of torture?"
Angel looks back at his boyhood home, whispers, "I'm sorry," and steps through the time warp.Episode 7: Son of Sahjhan
Notes: This episode marks the returns of the Anderson family from Season One's "I've Got You Under My Skin," and season three villain Sahjhan.
Feedback: is welcomed and encouraged.
Cast: David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, James Marsters, J. August Richards, Amy Acker, Vincent Kartheiser, Andy Hallett, and Alexis Denisof
Special Guest Stars: Kate Boyer, Jack Conley, Alexa Davalos, Ashley Edner, Jesse James, Will Kempe, and Julia Lee
It's been six long years that he's been forced to live in this place. It's a juvenile correction facility. Ryan Anderson knew why he was there, and longed for the day where he could finally get out. The weeks, months, and years passed with him thinking of one thing, revenge. He wanted revenge on his family, and revenge on the three people that lead to his incarceration Angel, Cordelia, and Wesley. As Ryan sat in his cell, he heard the sounds of violence erupt. One by one the guards flying by as if someone had thrown them. That something was a powerful time traveling demon, known as Sahjhan. Sahjhan stood at the door pulled out a stogie, and lit up. He turned to the boy, who was now a teenager, and said, "Hello son."
Not really knowing much about the demon culture, Ryan asks, "Who or what are you?"
"Don't you recognize your old man?" Sahjhan questions. "Oh, yeah we haven't officially met yet. The name is Sahjhan, and I'm your father."
"No, you're not," Ryan responds. "My father's name is Seth Anderson."
"That's what your mom wanted so desperately to believe," Sahjhan explains. "One night, oh around nine months before you were born, ol' Seth was on a business trip. Your mom was left all alone. Enter me. I stopped in for a visit one evening, put it to her, and left. To put it more simply, you're a demon my boy."
"That can't be true," Ryan reasons.
"Think about it," Sahjhan continues. "Most people have a little voice in the back of their head that tells them not do something that's wrong. Have you ever wondered why you don't? That's because you're just like me. I'm a heartless, ruthless bastard, and with the proper training you can be too. First, things first. If I can get you out of here, will you help me return to this dimension?"
"That depends," Ryan smirks. "Can you help get back at the ones that locked me up?"
Sahjhan answers, "You better believe it."
Ryan then agrees, "We have a deal then, father."
In his apartment, Spike is getting ready for a night out. He looks into the mirror while admiring his tuxedo. He says to himself, "You know I do look rather smashing in this penguin attire." There's a knock at the door. Spike asks, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Anne," comes the answer. Spike opens the door and looks at the brand new evening gown that she's wearing.
"You look smashing my dear," Spike says trying to be charming.
"I can't thank you enough for doing this," Anne tells him. "I'm hoping this charity bachelor auction will raise enough money to help the shelter."
"Of course," Spike responds. "Anything to help the kiddies."
Gunn enters from the hallway, also sporting a tuxedo, and asks, "You guys comin'? I can't hold that cab for much longer in this neighborhood."
Anne looks at Spike and says, "Shall we." He takes her, and they walk arm and arm out of the room.
Gunn looks up at the sky, rolls his eyes, and proclaims, "This is gonna be a long night."
Meanwhile at the Hyperion Hotel, Angel, Cordelia, Wesley, Fred, and Lorne are enjoying a quiet evening at home. The door opens, and Seth, Paige, and Stephanie Anderson enter. "Well, if it isn't our old clients the Andersons," Cordelia greets them. "So how have you guys been?" She then notices that something's up. "What's wrong?"
Seth finally speaks up, "It's Ryan. He's escaped."
"Oh dear," Wesley replies.
Lorne joins in the conversation, "Somebody want to clue shortcake and I in on this one?"
Angel informs them, "Back in the early stages of this little detective agency, Wesley, Cordelia, and I helped the Andersons here with their son. He was possessed by an Ethros demon."
Fred tells the Andersons, "I'm so sorry."
Wesley continues, "We performed an exorcism on the demon. However, we later learned that it wasn't the demon that was causing the problem, it was in fact the boy himself. He had no soul, he was just pure evil."
Cordelia finishes, "We managed to get back to the Anderson home just as Ryan torched the place with them in it. He was later taken to a juvenile detention facility, where they were supposed to be keeping tabs on him until he was old enough to get the gas chamber. Sorry, being pregnant has left my sensitivity a little out of whack."
Paige replies, "I didn't notice."
"So do you think Ryan is going to come looking for you?" Angel questions.
Stephanie informs them, "Ryan was really mean to us the last time we visited him. He shouted all these mean things toward us, and we just haven't been able to go back."
"I think you guys ought to stay here for the time being," Fred offers. "We're fully staffed, and we can keep you safe."
Seth inquires, "Is there enough room?"
Lorne answers, "It's a hotel. Of course we have plenty of room."
Lorne and Fred show the Andersons upstairs. Angel turns to Cordelia and Wesley, "Okay we need to know more about this breakout. Wesley and I will go to the juvenile facility."
"Would you like me to contact Gunn and Spike?" Wesley asks.
"Not yet," Angel answers. "I don't think Ryan will be coming here right away. We've moved locations since the last time we saw him."
Ryan follows Sahjhan to a remote place in the woods, "So how did you get like that?"
"You remember that fella, Angel that helped put you away?" Sahjhan asks. Ryan nods yes. "His son lopped my head off with an axe. Now I'm stuck in this hell dimension Only my essence is allowed to appear to you. Behold the Orb of Girgon. The Girgonians were an ancient mystical race that feud with the Amarrans. They were constantly coming up with stuff to outdo each other. The Orb is said to have the ability to restore lost souls with their bodies. Find this, and you can bring me back and we can reek havoc on all of those who killed me and locked you away."
Anne is hosting the bachelor auction. "Next, we have Charles Gunn. Charles is a private investigator. He's young, good looking, African American, and single. Do I here $100?"
Anne gets the initial $100. The bidding keeps increasing and eventually gets up to $4,900. "Do I hear $5,000?" Anne asks.
A voice from the back yells out, "$10,000." The crowd parts to see who made such a bid. It's Gwen Raiden.
"$10,000," Anne says. "Going once...Going twice....Sold."
"You know you didn't have to that," Gunn whispers to Gwen.
"I know," Gwen responds, "But I felt like helping the kids."
Spike looks around. He knows he's the last bachelor in line. Spike thinks to himself, "I wonder what kind of wildebeast I'm going to end up with?"
Angel and Wesley arrive at the juvenile detention facility. The jailer let's them see the security tapes of the escape. They both shudder at the site of Sahjhan. Angel gets on the cellphone and places a call to Stanford University. Connor comes walking into his dorm room with a fresh pizza in hand. "Hello," Connor answers. "Hi, dad. What's up?"
"Sahjahn, he's back," Angel informs him.
"I'm on my way," Connor replies.
"Spike has been working security at the teen shelter, and also like our previous bachelor engages in some detective work," Anne explains. "Do I have an opening bid?"
One really gorgeous woman starts the bidding at $500. Spike looks ready to engage in some extra-curricular activities with her right away. Then a rather large woman bids $1,000. Spike goes to the pretty girl and says, "Are you going to take that?" The pretty girl bids $1,500. "I make you randy don't I baby?" The large woman bids $2,000. Spike yells, "Now, cut that out."
The large woman replies, "You make me very randy baby. I can't for you to turn me inside out." Spike turns to the pretty woman and is begging for her to keep bidding. The exchanges get up to $7,500, when a third person enters the fray. "$10,000," says Anne.
"Wait a minute," Spike answers. "Who bid that?"
"I did," she tells him. "Going once, going twice, and sold."
"But you don't have that kind of money," Spike reminds her.
"I don't care," Anne says. "I just couldn't stand by and watch one of them bid on you, when the girl that should be with is standing right here."
Anne leans over and kisses Spike.
"Was that worth 10 G's?" Spike asks.
Anne responds, "Oh yeah." She leans in to kiss him again when they hear a double "Ahem." They then turn to see Gunn and Gwen standing there smiling.
Back at the Hyperion, Angel and Wesley return. While, on the way back, Angel made a rough sketch of Sahjhan, both the human and demon forms. Angel asks, "Has Ryan to your knowledge had any contact with this being?"
Seth doesn't recognize him. The sight of Sahjhan's face freaks Stephanie out, and she buries her head on her mom's shoulder. Paige before looking at it starts to sing, "Hush little baby, don't say word. Momma's gonna buy you a mockingbird..."
The song reveals the truth to the resident green guy. Lorne asks Paige, "When were you going to tell him?"
Paige denies knowing what he's talking about, "I don't know what he's talking about."
"Paige," Cordelia tells her. "If you know something now would be a good time to speak up."
Seth looks at his wife, "Please tell me."
"If you want us to help your son," Fred instructs. "Then you have to tell us what you know."
"It's alright," Wesley instructs. "You're among friends here."
Paige can't summon up the courage so Lorne fills them in, "It was about 16 years ago. Sahjhan was on the run from a demon hunter during a storm. Mr. A was on a business trip, and Mrs. A was home alone. Sahjhan used his human form to disguise himself as a lost traveler seeking shelter for the night. Poor, naive Paige here let him in to use the phone. That monster responded by forcing himself on her....and raping her. She was afraid to tell anyone, because she saw it as something so horrible that she tried to bury it deep inside her, and pretend like it never happened."
" So, Ryan isn't your son," Angel says. "He's the son of Sahjhan."
"And we're going to stop him," Connor states as he makes his entrance.
The two happy couples are having a cup of java at a local coffee shop when they see a disturbance in progress at the museum. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little thievery going on hey Charlie?" Spike comments. "What do you say, we do a little vigilante justice?"
"Fine by me," Gunn responds. They remove their coats and tell the ladies they'll be right back.
Gwen looks at Anne and they both say out loud, "Men!"
Spike and Gunn catch up to the thief who turns out to be Ryan. "Now junior, we don't want any trouble," Spike says. "Just hand over the nice little ball, and we won't tell the cops about this little matter."
"Screw you," Ryan tells them. Spike attempts to stop him, but Ryan picks him up and tosses him into Gunn.
"We've really got to stop meeting like this," Gunn states.
"I don't think this is any ordinary kid we're dealing with," Spike ponders.
"Then maybe I ought to have a go, freak to freak," Gwen offers. Gwen removes her gloves, and places her hands on Ryan. However, instead of shocking him, he drains her power from her body. Ryan then knocks Gunn down, pulls out a knife and stabs Spike in the leg with it. Anne seeing them in trouble reaches into her purse and pulls out a small pistol. Living on the mean streets of Los Angeles, she kept it for her own protection. She fired twice at Ryan, and dropped to the ground. Anne is shivering.
"I just killed a kid," Anne states, as she starts to cry. "All that time I spent helping kids get off the street...for nothing."
Spike pulls the knife out and limps toward her to comfort her, "That was no ordinary kid. And you shouldn't blame yourself. It was either him or us."
Gunn helps Gwen up, and heads over to Spike and Anne. Ryan suddenly sits back up and stares at them. "I'm thinkin' we better get the hell outta here," Gunn says.
Gwen, Gunn, Spike, and Anne arrive at the Hyperion. Cordelia sees them and asks, "My God what happen to you guys?"
Gunn answers, "There was some kid swiping some kind of round glowing thing from the museum. He turned out to be super strong, and just about drained Gwen's energy right out of her."
"It's Sahjhan," Connor informs him. "He's behind this."
"Ah, hell no," Gunn replies. "Tell me he did not just say that."
Lorne assures him its true. Angel then adds, "Sahjhan is using the boy to create a gateway to our dimension from his hell dimension that he went to after Connor killed him."
Cordelia tells them, "Wesley and Fred are searching to see if they could find a possible location for the gateway. We could really use a Eureka moment about now."
They then hear Fred yell out, "Eureka!"
Paige turns to Angel and says, "They actually say Eureka?"
"Let's go get him then," Spike tells them as he tries to get up. His leg buckles underneath him from the stab wound.
"Not so fast," Cordelia says. "You're not going anywhere until you get some treatment on that leg."
"Angel I think your wife's hitting on me," Spike jests.
"Would you like a broken jaw to go with that stab wound," Cordelia asks.
"I'll sit this one out," Spike finally agrees.
"Wesley, Gunn, Connor, and I will go," Angel instructs. "The rest of you stay here."
"I'm going to," Seth chimes in.
"No," Angel responds. 'It's too dangerous."
Paige and Stephanie try to convince him to stay, but he won't listen. Seth explains, "That son of bitch raped my wife, and now he's trying to take my son away from me. I can't just stand by and watch it happen. It doesn't matter who's blood is in him. He's still my boy. You of all people, being a father now, should understand that."
"Let's go," Angel gives in.
Cordelia advises her husband, "Please be careful." Angel assures her that he will.
Ryan gathers on the site of a former ancient Indian burial ground, which was being torn down in favor of a new landfill. He places the Orb in proper alignment, and begins the incantation as the heroes arrive. Seth orders, "Ryan stop."
"My name is not Ryan," the boy gets up and turns around to reveal his new appearance, one that closely resembles his biological father. "I am Rahjhan, the son of Sahjhan. Soon my real father will return, and you shall feel our wrath."
Angel ponders, "This isn't good."
"Ryan!" Wesley shouts. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."
Rahjhan finishes the incantation and Sahjhan appears in solid form. "Thanks kid. I owe ya'."
Connor then replies, "Look's like its the hard way."
Gunn and Connor charge at Sahjhan. Gunn lands some punches to Sahjhan's face. Connor walks up the demon, and catches him with a roundhouse kick to the face. Sahjhan then pops back up grabs them by the throat and tosses them to the ground. Wesley goes for Rahjhan's book of incantations looking for a way to reverse it. Angel attacks Sahjhan, and gets the better of him. Rahjhan then clobbers him from behind. Rahjhan grabs a large axe, and put it to Angel's throat. He then tells Connor, "You killed my father, now I get to return the favor."
Seth then steps in and attempts to grab the axe. "Son, this isn't the way," he tells him. Rahjhan laughs in his face. He then kicks Seth in the head. The temporary distraction allows Angel time to recover. He takes the teen down with a head scissors. Rahjhan gets the better of Angel, while Sahjhan is getting the better of Connor. Angel shouts to Connor, "What do you say we switch partners?"
"Fine by me," Connor states. They switch with Connor now on Rahjhan, and Angel on Sahjhan.
"I found the spell," Wesley says. "It'll send Sahjhan back to the hell dimension."
"What about Ryan?" Gunn asks.
"Send him too," Seth states. "I don't what thing is, but it's not my son anymore. I realize that now." Wesley opens the gateway to the hell dimension with an incantation, while Angel and Connor push Sahjhan and Rahjhan inside of it.
They return to the hotel. Paige comes running up to them, "Where's Ryan?"
Seth informs her, "We weren't able to save him. The son that we knew no longer exists." Paige and Stephanie start crying and the family huddles together.
Outside the hotel, what appears to be Sahjhan in human form is looking through the window. "Don't worry Angel," Sahjhan says. "I'm nowhere near finished with you yet."
As Sahjhan leaves, he suddenly morphs into the pretty woman from the auction, and walks down the street.
Continue on...