To Begin Again

As Buffy had promised the letters arrived a day and a half later. Angel wasn’t sure exactly what would be in the letters so he refused his friends offer to help him go threw the large pile.

Most of it was just pleasantries and stories about what was happening in her life. From what she wrote Angel established that she had spent the past few years alone rather than take up with another clan or start her own. In one letter she mentioned Mardi Gras and voodoo and in another the French Quarter and the letters were fairly recent so he figured she must be in New Orleans. He couldn’t help thinking that Fred was right and all of this wasn’t a coincidence. It just so happened that a week earlier Whistler had called and told him he was in the Big Easy, and would be for some time.

Angel went to the phone and dialed the demon’s number.

“Hello?”

“Whistler.”

“Angel, what can I do for you?”

“I think you know already.”

“Do I?”

“Don’t play games with me, Whistler.”

“So I guess you got the journals.”

“I did. So she’s the one?”

“Yeah, the Powers want her with you. I’ve already sent her to California; she should be there by now. She’ll probably stop by the hotel in a few nights.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That you needed her and she went running. Angelus did a number on that one, she’s completely infatuated with you.” Whistler said.

“Does she know I have my soul?”

“Yeah, I explained everything to her. But I got the distinct impression she didn’t care. What happened between the two of you?”

“None of your business.” Angel said.

“Is that anyway to treat your old mentor?”

“Goodbye Whistler.” Angel said and hung up the phone before the demon could protest.

But as much as he wanted to ignore the question it floated around in his head for the rest of the night and the following day until he finally gave in and relived what exactly had taken place between them almost four years ago.



Sunnydale 1998


Angelus watched as Emmy threw her head back and laughed, her eyes twinkling with merriment at whatever Spike had said. The red head was seated at the end of his grandchilde’s bed talking animatedly with her sire.

It was the same everyday. She could always be found in the library when Angelus awoke then at 5:00 pm she would go to the kitchen, make up a tray, and go to her sire’s room to wake him up. Then they would talk until Dru awoke at dusk and wandered into Spike’s room.

After that Angelus would take her hunting, he’d begun teaching her and refining the skills she’d once used to kill their kind, twisting them to teach her to hunt for food. She was intelligent and anxious to learn. He’d also taken the younger vampire as a lover but instead of taking the abusive domineering path he used with Drusilla he led her down a darker path. One of sensual pleasure and submissive duty. He didn’t want to break the girl’s will; he liked her spirit, her fire. He only wanted to make sure she was loyal to him and only him. She had been experienced before her turning but he had shown her things she’d never even imagined. By the time he had finished with her she completely devoted to him and hopelessly in love. She wasn’t weak but when her eyes fell on him they turned round, childlike, and hopeful, like that of a well trained puppy begging her master for a treat.

Present Day


Angel shook off the thoughts as he heard Connor’s voice calling to him from the floor below.

“Dad, I think you need to get down here.” There wasn’t any fear in his son’s voice but there was an urgency that made Angel bolt for the stairs.

When he reached the bottom his eyes scanned the lobby until they landed on the source of Connor’s distress, which happened to be the source of his own.

Emmy stood just inside the door looking as if she were trying to decide whether to rush into his arms or run away from the hotel as fast as her legs could carry her.

When nervous green eyes met reassuring brown she relaxed slightly and Angel took a moment to study her.

Her once shoulder length red hair was now flowing in gentle waves down her back. Her body, of course, hadn’t changed but her clothes were different. In place of the short skirts and tight tops he had always placed her in were now red leather pants and a black tank top with a matching silk shirt over it. The most drastic change was in her eyes though. The glowing orbs, which once shined with utter devotion, were now dim and almost as lifeless as her vampire body.

“Come in.” Angel said.

She moved forward slowly until she was in the middle of the room. She glanced at Connor then her eyes found Angel’s again.

“Dad?” She asked softly. “I’d heard rumors but I didn’t think aing ing of them.”

“Yeah. Emmy, this is my son Connor. Connor this Emmy.”

The youth smiled tentatively at the vampire. “Hi.”

“His smile, I’ve seen it before. In a picture you drew.” She said.

“My sire, Darla, was his mother.” Angel explained.

“I remember now. You had so many drawings and paintings of her, she was beautiful. Was?”

“She died when I was born.” Connor told her.

“How is that even possible? I mean vampires can’t have children.”

“Tell that to the Powers That Be. I think I’m some big cosmic joke.” Connor said.

Emmy’s lips curved slightly at that.

“Connor, why don’t you go upstairs. I’d like to talk to Emmy alone.”

“Sure.” Connor said moving toward the stairs.

“Um, it was… uh, it was nice to meet you.” Emmy said unsurely.

“You too.” Connor said then went up the steps.

The two vampires stared at each other for a moment and Angel watched at she pulled her lower lip between her teeth and gnawed on it nervously. He sighed and held his arms out to her.

She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.

“I missed you.” She paused a moment then continued. “I really did, Angel.”

Any hesitation left Angel when she accentuated his name, letting him know she understood he wasn’t the same, and he tightened his arms around her.

“I missed you too, Emmy.”

“I was so scared when I got home from the conference and no one was left. Then when I finally caught up with Spike and Drusilla in Brazil he told me he’d been back to Sunnydale and you were alive. I wanted to find you so badly but I didn’t think you’d want to see me.”

Angel took a step away from her. “Whistler said he explained why you were here.”

“You need a seer.”

“Yeah, I also need you to stop killing. I need you to stop feeding from humans all together.”

“I can only promise to try Angel. I don’t have a soul so it’s not going to be easy, but I’ll try. Can I still drink human blood if it’s bagged?”

Angel hesitated for a moment then nodded. “I can handle that.”

“I better get going, I’ll run by a hospital and get some bags now. I rented an apartment downtown, I just wanted to stop in and tell you I was here.” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to him. “There’s my number. Whistler gave me yours, I’ll call if I have a vision and you can call me if you need a hand with something.” Emmy told him.

“Okay. Thanks.”

“Like I said, just call if you need anything.”

“I will. See yangelngel said.

“Bye.” Emmy said then turned to leave. When she reached the door she turned her head around and looked longing at the older vampire then headed out into the night.


~TBC~