Big Bad Trouble

Angel watched from the shadows as Connor and Brody walked through the cemetery. Connor had an arm around the girl's waist and Brody leaned her head against Connor's shoulder. They looked like a young couple out for a stroll. Perfect bait. It didn't take long for the sharks to start circling. In a matter of minutes five vamps had them surrounded.

Angel saw both kids smirk as the first two vamps rushed them.

Connor slid a stake from his wrist sheathe and easily disbatched one while Brody dropped to the ground and slammed her foot into the knee of the other vamp. He went down and she slammed the stake that appeared in her hand home.

By the looks on the faces of the remaining vampires they hadn't been expecting a fight but they weren't about to back off.

They circled the teens cautiously. Eyeing them carefully, probably looking for weaknesses.

"There's four more. In the shadows to our left." Connor murmured for his companions ears only.

Brody nodded. "They'll probably figure me as the easier kill, if i lead these three away, can you handle the new comers?"

"Yeah. Dad's still lurking, if either of us needs help he'll be there."

"Good, give me lift, would ya?" Brody asked.

Connor dropped to his knees and cupped his hands. Brody stepped onto them and he launched her into the air. She executed a perfect backfilp and landed behind the three vamps.

"Come on boys. You know what you want." She said with a smirk blowing the vampires a kiss then taking off. They hesitated a moment then followed.


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When Angel, Connor, and Brody met at the gates of the cemetery a few minutes later Angel looked both children over quickly before they started toward Buffy's. Brody had a cut on her arm but other than that they were fine.

"What happened?" Connor asked tearing off a bit of his shirt and dabbing lightly at Brody's arm.

"I got the first two without breaking a sweat but that last one, the pro-wrestler looking one, wasn't as easy. He tackled me and a piece of glass cut my arm. Don't worry about it, i'm okay."

"You two did really well. You make a good team." Angel said watching with a half smile as Connor fussed over Brody.

"You think?" Brody asked.

He nodded. "But next time don't split up. Stay together."

"Okay. Thanks Connor." Brody said examining the now clean cut. "It'll be gone by tomorrow night."

"Anytime." Connor said ruffling her hair.

"Hey!" Brody said with a mock sneer. Then she lunged for Connor digging her hands into his sides, tickling him mercilessly.

"Stop. STOP! I give!" Connor shouted after he tried unsuccessfully to break her hold on him.

"That's what you get! Hasn't anyone ever told you that messing with a teenage girl's hair is punishable by death?" Brody said running her hands through her brown tresses.

"Thanks for the warning, sis." Connor said pushing her lightly. She giggled and pushed him back.

"Are you quite finished?" Angel asked with a smile. He hadn't seen Connor this laid back in...well, ever.

"Party pooper." Brody said then threw her arm around Angel's then she reached over and grabbed Connor's hand. The three walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence.


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The trio was the last to return to the Summers' house. They walked in laughing. When the house had come into view Brody had gotten behind Connor, put her hands on his shoulders and leap frogged over him. Connor had decided he wanted to try it. They'd played all the way down Revello Drive.

Buffy stared at Connor and Brody as they collasped onto the couch, laughing so hard their faces were turning red. (I guess i really should have locked her away.) Buffy thought.

Angel moved in next to the slayer. "They fancy themselves brother and sister." He whispered with a grin.

"How did you know what i was thinking?" Buffy asked.

"Trade secret."

"Ha ha, Cryptic guy." Buffy said rolling her eyes. She turned her gaze back to the two on the couch as their laughter quieted. "Having fun?" She asked them.

"Oh yeah, a real 'hopping' good time." Brody said with a giggle.

"Yeah, 'leaps' and bounds of fun." Connor said.

"Should i even ask?" Buffy questioned as they started laughing again.

"Probably not." Both children said together causing them to laugh harder.

"Okay this is getting creepy." Buffy said.

"What's creepy?" Dawn asked as she came into the living room. Buffy had woken her as soon as she got home. Her eyes turned to the couch and widened as they landed on Connor. "Wow."

Buffy just shook her head. (That's definately NOT a sisterly look.)

"Hey Dawn." Brody said then she poked Connor lightly in the ribs. "This is Connor. Brother dear, this is Buffy's sister Dawn."

"Hey." Connor said with a grin then he turned his attention back to Brody. He flicked her nose then jumped up when she tried to punch him.

Dawn looked a bit miffed at the lack of attention but she brushed it off as Angel moved forward and hugged her. "How've you been, little one?" The vampire asked.

"Not bad, old man. You?"

"Good. So where is everyone? Is Cassandra back yet?"

"Right here, Angelus."

He turned and found Cass standing in the dining room. She'd changed into a pair of grey sweat pants and a little white wife-beater, she looked fantastic to him but she still wouldn't look at him.

"Spike's out in the back yard smoking and Willow went up to bed when i got home." Buffy said.

"Are Angel and Connor staying here?" Dawn asked.

"If they want too." Buffy said.

"Just for today. At sunset we can move to the mansion." Angel said.

"Okay. Spike will be heading back to his crypt so i don't have to worry about him. The safest place for you and Cass would be the basement, there's only one little window to cover. Brody, Dawn said you can share her room and Connor can have the couch." Buffy said.

"Come on, Brody. I'll show you upstairs." Dawn said.

"Okay. I'll come down and say goodnight before i go to bed. Okay, mom?" Brody said moving toward the steps.

"Sure, honey." Cass murmured. She had to spend the day in a little basement with Angel? Oh shit. Right now he was a good 15 feet away and her body was already reacting to his scent. She knew if she looked at him, saw that gorgeous face that had attracted Darla all those years, th, those deep chocolatey brown eyes, she wouldn't be able to think straight.

Angel said goodnight to his son then made his way down to the basement, a moment later Cass followed. Buffy had set up a cot. Cass glanced nervously from the little bed to Angel then back again.

"I think it's big enough for the both of us." Angel said.

Cassie's eyes flew to his. Their gazes held for a moment before Cass shook her head, as if coming out of a trance, and turned her back on him.

"That's okay. I'll crash on the floor. No big deal."

"That's stupid. We've shared a bed before."

"I remember." She whispered. Her voice had gotten husky.

Angel raised an eyebrow as he scented the first hints of arousal. He knew he should just offer to sleep on the floor and let her be but seeing the kids having fun eariler had gotten him into a playful mood. He stripped off his shirt and moved until he was behind her. He put his hands on her bare shoulders and she jumped.

"So do I." He said against her ear. She shuddered a bit and stepped away as the basement door opened.

"Hi sweetie." Cass said as Brody came into view and Angel smirked as her voice shook a bit.

"Just wanted to say goodnight." The girl said as she came forward and hugged her mother. "Love you."

"I love you too." Cass said returning the embrace. "Sleep well."

"K. You too." Brody stepped back then moved toward Angel, hugging him as well. "See you guys tomorrow."

Cass watched as Brody walked upstairs. She turned slowly and was relieved to find Angel already lying down his back facing her. She moved toward the pile of pillows and blankets Buffy had put downstairs intent on sleeping on the floor but Angel's voice stopped her.

"Cassandra. Bed. Now."

Cass bit back a moan. Gods, she had lost count of how many times he had used that tone and those words before. Her body instantly reacted. She took a deep breath she didn't need then moved slowly toward the cot. She laid down gingerly, and turned so her back was facing Angel's, careful to leave space between them. Not that it did any good. As soon as she was settled Angel turned wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back into him.

(Oh shit.) Cass thought as Angel snuggled against her burying his face in her throat and settling down to sleep.


TBC