No Angel

Warning: Serious Angst Factor! [ONLY for some of the chapter]

Chapter Seven – Emerald Colored Eyes Stained With Scarlet Tears


The sun’s amber rays began to creep over the horizon and light up the California blue skies. Though there was one place the sun’s rays couldn’t reach. As Angelus groaned softly he rolled over in bed pressing his face deeper into the bedding. Sighing heavily he breathed in the clean scent of his sheets while remembering the party at Metamorphosis and the ride home from the club… the party had ended about 4 in the morning and it was only about 8 o’clock now. Lindsey and Elizabeth said their goodbyes to Doyle and everyone and headed out to their car around 3 o’clock and he wasn’t far behind.

He saw no real reason for him to stay, he made his public appearance for the year and he did his good deed as best friend to Doyle. Nope it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact he wanted to see where Lindsey and Elizabeth were headed off to. Even though Doyle had made it fairly clear that Lindsey and Elizabeth were nothing more than friends almost like siblings, there was just something in Lindsey’s eyes that suggested otherwise.

Angelus watched as the valet pulled up with their car and continued to watch as the drove out of sight. With a frustrated sigh he headed back inside to say goodbye to Doyle and to tell Wesley and William that’d he call him later on that day. He nearly growled at the poor boy that brought around his car before sliding easily into the drivers’ seat and with a squeal of his tires he sped away from the club. It was too late to return to his home in Napa so he decided to just spend the rest of the evening at his loft apartment only a few miles away.

Suddenly the shrill of the telephone ripped through the silence of the room. Angelus swore under his breath as he reached for the cordless. Rolling over onto his back he hit the talk button and rasped out a form of a hello.

“Hey Liam” his sisters bright and perky voice rang though on the other end

“Hey, how are you? And how was that… dance thing you had at school?”

The young woman at the other end tucked one leg underneath her as she snuggled deeper into the chair. She hadn’t talked to her big brother all week so she figured she’d give him a call, though at first she was worried when Travers had answered the phone at the vineyard and said that Mr. O’Roake had never returned home.

“I was worried when Quentin said you never got home last night…”

Angelus sighed as he heard the slight quiver in her voice. His sister worried about him so much as if he were a five year old. Though he knew she had a right to worry, it wasn’t too long ago that he’d disappear for days at a time.

“I’m sorry, I left the party late and I was way too tired to drive all the way back up to vineyard. I just spent the night here, I’ll be back home in a couple of hours… though I do have some business to attend to and then I have to make a short trip to Sunnydale” he said thoughtfully

“Sunnydale? Why there of all places?” she asked curiously

“Well, I think Slayer records might have just found its newest star and Wesley mentioned last night how he wanted me to check her out” he shrugged slightly; he knew he was lying to his sister but it was only a little lie. In fact it wasn’t even a lie, it was fib… that’s right a fib.

“Well…” she said suspiciously

“Well what?” he asked though already having a good idea as to what she was going to ask

“Can I come with you to Sunnydale?”

At his somewhat pointed silence she did the thing all little sisters do to get what they want… she begged and pouted.

“Please Liam, please, please, pretty please...” she begged

Angelus could practically see the pout she had going at the other end of the phone. His baby sister had it down to a tee, with her big blue eyes and cute pink lips. There was no way he could ever say no to her… ever.

“Okay you can come” he sighed knowing there was no way around it

Then of course the squeal that came though the other end of the phone was 2 decibels too high and temporarily caused a ringing to occur in his right ear. Giving her older sibling directions as to what time he was to go and pick her up Angelus just agreed to it all and said he’d pick her up around 4 o’clock that afternoon. Hitting the talk button he tossed the cordless phone on to the chair near the bed.

He had still had to shower and dress before he could meet up with Wesley and then put in a call to William and he had to get it all done before picking up his baby sister at 4 o’clock.


# # # # #


Bright blue eyes grew wide as she heard a scream echo through the halls and she couldn’t help the slight shiver of fear that coursed through her body. Though she’d been in the situation numerous times before fear soon quickly turned into routine and she took off for her room all the way at the other end of the hall.

“DAWN O’ROAKE YOU GIVE ME BACK MY ONE OF A KIND DOLCE AND GABANA SWEATER THIS MINUTE OR I SWEAR MY NAME IS CORDELLIA O’ROAKE…” her older sister bellowed throughout the upper floor of their elaborate home in Los Angeles.

The young brunette let out a startled ‘eep’ and bolted down the hallway and into her own room the offending sweater clutched in her hands. With her back pressed up against her closed door she heaved out a heavy sigh before sagging completely against the door only to be startled once more when the door began to shake and the doorknob began to rattle back and forth. However she didn’t have to wait too long to hear her sisters’ heated voice penetrate through the fairly thin wood.

“Dawn, I am not playing with you!” Cordelia bellowed

Sighing heavily the teen knew there was no way in hell her sister was going to let her leave the house let alone her room in said sweater so with her head hung low she slowly opened the door and offered the sweater without a word. With a loud huff and Cordelia snatched up the sweater and stalked back down the hall to her own room. Blowing out a puff of hair a wayward strand of hair flopped out of the teens’ face as she turned to go back in her room to find something suitable to wear.


# # # # #


The sun was shinning brightly warming the earth as well as the little blonde that was stretched out on the balcony of her high rise apartment. Sighing contently she let her eyes flutter close as she listened to the gentle breeze whistle passed her ears and the lazy strum of a guitar lull her asleep. It was already 11:30 on a Sunday and neither she nor Lindsey had made any solid plans for the day so when they both found themselves still feeling sluggish and just plain lazy they both agreed to spend the day close to home.

“So what do you feel like doing today ‘Lizabeth?”

“I don’t know… I do kind of have to go home…” she trailed off and unsure look on her face. It wasn’t like she wanted to stay in that crazy house and she already knew that Lindsey would never allow it but she did have to collect the rest of her things whether her father was there or not.

“Fuck No, Elizabeth… I will NOT allow you to ever set foot in that house again! Do you hear me? I am being very serious Elizabeth you will not; I repeat you will not go into that house ever again while that man still resides there… I won’t have it. I will not have you come and land on my GODDAMN DOORSTEP AT THREE IN THE FUCKING MORNING BORKEN AND BLEEDING!” Usually soft chocolate colored eyes blazed with a bright defiant fire; Lindsey seethed with the very idea of his girl ever setting foot in that house again

“Linds… I’m not going to stay there. I know you want me here and I want to be here… you’re my family, my real family… you always have been I was just too stupid and to young to realize that the man that I knew as my father is dead… he died the moment my mother did… that man who looks and sounds like my father isn’t him… and I’ve come to accept that. But school is going to be starting soon and no matter what happens I do want the remainder of my things… I do have some good memories I’d like to take with me along with a few things of my mothers’ he hasn’t snatched a way from me over the years…” she looked at him imploringly her vibrant green eyes glistening with unshed tears

Lindsey McDonald a usually very strong and proud man sat there seemingly stunned into silence by his best friend who sat there with tears in her eyes and a terrible sad expression marring her face. He’d always known that he’d do just about anything for her… just about anything to be with her and take care of her… but it was at this very moment that if he got that chance he’d kill that bastard of a father for her.

“Okay baby… go get your shoes on and I’ll drive you. We’ll do this together” he stated softly

Sniffling slightly she gave him a nod of agreement and a watery smile as she silently slipped back into the house without so much as another word. Sighing heavily warm brown eyes closed briefly just before fluttering up once again and with that Lindsey heaved himself out of the chair and back into the apartment. Within the next five minutes both slipped on some shoes; Lindsey grabbed his keys to his jeep and with that they were on their way.


# # # # #


The pungent stench of whiskey and the back alley’s clung to his clothing and skin like warm molasses. As he stumbled through the doorway somewhere deep in the recess of his mind he realized that the house was too quiet and the feeling of the house was empty. Through his drunken haze he realized that his under aged teenaged daughter was not home and in fact he had no idea where she’d gone. Groaning softly to himself he heaved himself through the doorway and with a loud bang he slammed the door behind him.

Stumbling into the kitchen red, blood-shot eyes wrenched open the refrigerator door and searched for the stack of bottled waters on the lower shelf in the back. After retrieving the icy liquid and downing half the bottle in one sip it fell to the floor with a sickening thud and a soft splash. Sparing the fallen object only a passing glace the haggard form continued on its way out of the kitchen and up the stairs each step taken causing a soft thud fill the otherwise silent space. Kicking of his shoes at the top of the stairs he slowly began to strip down to his pants and undershirt before reaching the bedroom a small trail of clothing leaving a path behind him.

Falling none to gracefully face first on to the massive queen sized bed he couldn’t help but inhale deeply at the fresh clean scent that lingered there; lilac and jasmine… the intoxicating smell of his dead wife encircled him and with that the hot burning sting of tears he’d been able to keep at bay suddenly were streaming down his face and splashing onto the bedding beneath his cheek soaking the bed sheets.

Hank Summers knew that he had a problem, in fact he knew had more than a problem. And it all started five years ago when his wife died. At first he grieved like any normal widower and he did grieve and try to be there for their two children… but that was in the beginning, before he turned to the comfort of the bottle and two-bit whores instead of the true healing comfort his children could offer. As he laid there listening to the steady sound of the clock ticking and his breathing he was startled to hear the soft click of the front door opening and the sounds of soft voices beneath him.

Downstairs when Lindsey insisted that he enter the house first and after giving the ground floor the once over he was pleased to see no real sign of Hank though it was Buffy that put the fear back in both their hearts. After deemed the area clear she wandered into the kitchen to start collecting bits and pieces she wanted to take with her such as her mother’s address book and a few pictures in there but came to an abrupt halt when she saw the fallen bottle of water laying there in a puddle. Crouching down she placed two delicate fingers into the puddle and fear gripped her insides when she felt that it was still fairly chilled.

Turning back to Lindsey the fear coloring her eyes apparent he did the only thing he could think of; he pulled her close and whispered to her that they were just here to get her stuff and that was all, get in and get out quickly. Nodding her head as her cheek brushed up against his chest she pulled away and tried to put on a brave face, steeling his resolve he waited while Elizabeth collected the few things she wanted from the kitchen and placed them into a duffle bag they’d brought along with them. Then heading into the living room she picked up a few family photos of herself and her mother with her brother and even after some debate she took one with her father and brother that was taken many years ago both smiling happy.

Giving the large and now stark looking room one last glance she nodded to Lindsey and they both headed up the stairs to her bedroom with Lindsey of course again leading the way just in case. Satisfied that it was clear they entered the bedroom and Elizabeth immediately went about collecting different bits and pieces from her vanity and her closet. While Lindsey stood in the doorway gripping the frame so tightly he was sure the finished wood beneath his fingers was splintering, when Elizabeth finally realized her friend’s defense posture she looked at him curiously and that’s when she followed his eyes with hers and there on her plush crème colored carpet were light splatters of blood from the other night. Knowing that if she didn’t take his mind off of it she knew they’d be waiting there for Hank to turn up and that was a confrontation she was looking to avoid.

“Lindsey” she called out to him softly

Seeing that he wasn’t responding she literally stepped into his field of vision and what she saw there broke her heart. Unshed tears glistened in usually bright and happy brown eyes. Inhaling sharply she stepped closer to the man who had been everything to her since her childhood and still continues to be her everything and pulled him into a tight embrace whispering nonsense words of comfort. After a few moments of tender silence she pulled back and they gave each other a watery smile and with that they both moved throughout the room packing the rest of her clothing and a few keep sakes that were worth saving. By the time they were finished all that was left was a full sized bed an empty vanity and a half empty closet. All the shelves and walls were bare. Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel a slight pain in her chest as she looked around the room looking void of her presence but when her eyes landed on the blood stained carpet she steeled her resolve and began to head back down the stairs but stopped short when she realized that she didn’t go and check her mother’s room one last time and before Lindsey could stop her she’d dashed back up the stairs and into the room.

A startled yelp filled the dead space and with that Lindsey was up the stairs in a flash and what he found made his blood boil; Hank Summers half passed out on the bed reeking of alcohol and indescribable stench. Quickly looking to his companion he motioned to Elizabeth to collect anything she desired promising to watch Hank while she did so. Needing no further encouragement Buffy padded about the room softly collecting various pieces of jewelry, pictures and even small pieces of paper still left behind with her mother’s hand writing on them. Giving the room one last look she felt tears spring to her eyes and when they finally landed on her father they all but evaporated.

Elizabeth knew that once she left this house this time that she’d never be coming back and she was more than okay with that. This place held no more happy memories for her, too many of the bad were still burning brightly in her mind for her to even try and search for the good anymore. And with that she motioned for Lindsey to leave only hesitating for a moment to take the things she collected he stepped out of the room and into the hall knowing that this particular goodbye was something his Lizzy had to do on her own.

“Wake up you sick bastard” she clipped disgust coloring her voice

A muffled groan was her only response and with that she picked up the clock on the bed side table and chucked at her ‘father’s’ mid-section. Jumping in surprised darkened hazel eyes that used to shine looked at her uncomprehending for a moment before recognition returned and they shuttered closed again.

“You may or may not be sober and I don’t really care! I’m leaving and I’m not coming back; I turn eighteen in a few months and I’ll be actually legal to care for myself. Now I don’t really expect you to stop me but if you try I think the police would just love to hear about how you beat me till I bleed and I’m sure you’ll be loving whatever little jail cell they decide to lock you in…”

When she was met with only stony silence she continued.

“I don’t know who you are anymore because you are not my father. And to be honest if my father was here and I mean really here… he wouldn’t want me to know someone like you…. I wish I could be angry at you but I can’t… not really. I guess all I feel for you is pity… and I know I’ll mourn the loss of the man who was actually my father because up until recently I didn’t realize that he too died five years ago… the same moment my mother died…” she trailed off as a few stray tears began to slip down her face

“Pumpkin…” came a soft gruff reply

Glittering green eyes snapped up at the reply and for a moment they softened finally seeing the man who had been lost for the past five years but even in that same moment he disappeared again.

“Goodbye Hank” she whispered

And with that Elizabeth just concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other as she strode out of her childhood home and down the path to the curb where she found Lindsey already waiting for her with her stuff packed and the motor running. Without a word she pulled into a strong comforting embrace and it was there she let the tears fall.

She cried for the loss of her mother, she cried for the division of her family, she cried for the pain she had to endure of the years but most of all she cried for the man still upstairs in the house behind her.

Hank lay there broken and scared staring blankly at the ceiling. In the course of five years he stood back and watched as his family was torn and ripped from his grasp and it was entirely his fault and the worst part was he knew it. The death of his wife, his son being sent to New York and now his daughter literally walking out on him, it was all because of him and no one else. As the knowledge of this finally hit him full force he body was attacked with gut wrenching sobs. Curling into himself; Hank Summers finally came to the realization that he was in fact utterly and truly alone.


# # # # #


At the same time across the country a soft breeze picked up and the scent of lilac and jasmine filled his nose and Connor couldn’t help but smile. It was then he knew that though things were far from alright but they might just be looking a bit better. Now with a smile curling his lips and a bounce in his step he happily bounced down into the subway.


# # # # #


‘8 o'clock, Monday night and I'm waitin'
To finally talk to a girl a little cooler than me.
Her name is Nona, she's a rocker with a nose ring,
She wears a two way, but I'm not quite sure what that means.

And when she walks,
All the wind blows and the angels sing.
She doesn't notice me!

Cause she is watchin' wrestling
Creamin' over tough guys
Listenin' to rap metal
Turntables in her eyes’

Addicted’s new single blasted though the speakers of his Roadster; Angelus couldn’t help but sigh heavily as he saw his baby sister bouncing happily in her seat as she continued to listen and sing along to the new hit by Slayer Inc.’s hottest band. It was enough that he had to listen to it the night Metamorphosis opened he really didn’t need to listen to the garbage while driving his own car. He was this close to pulling the car over and leaving his adorable sibling on the side of the road.

‘It's like a bad movie
She is lookin' through me
If you were me, then you'd be
Screamin' "Someone shoot me!"
As I fail miserably,
Tryin' to get the girl all the bad guys want.
She's the girl all the bad guys want!

She likes the godsmack and I like agent orange
Her cd changer's full of singers that are mad at their dad
She says she'd like to score some reefer and a forty
She'll never know that I'm the best that she'll never have’

“Dawnie!”

‘And when she walks,
All the wind blows and the angels sing.
She'll never notice me!’

“Dawnie!”

‘Cause she is watchin' wrestling
Creamin' over tough guys
Listenin' to rap metal
Turntables in her eyes’

“Dawnie!”

‘She likes 'em with a mustache
Racetrack season pass
Drivin' in a Trans-Am
Does a mullet make a man?’

“Dawn!” he bellowed as he brutally hit the radio and the music died away

“God Liam… what is you childhood trauma?” she asked utterly offended

“Okay first you’ve been spending ‘way’ too much time with Cordy and second I had to turn that junk off it was giving me a migraine and it’s still early in the afternoon” he explained

“Whatever” the young teen huffed

Sighing heavily he was quickly regretting letting his baby sisters baby blues sucker him into taking her on this little outing. Gritting his teeth he looked to his left and rolled his eyes at the sight of his sister huffing and sighing dramatically in the seat next to him.

“Look Dawn, I didn’t have to take you today but you said you wanted to come so either act your age or… I’ll leave you on the side of the road” he stated seriously

Harsh blue eyes glanced at him before deciding he was serious and the pout that had been apparent on her lips quickly dissolved and was replaced by a reluctant smile.

“Soooo, what or who exactly did Wes want you to check out?” she asked as if nothing happened

“… Elizabeth Summers” he murmured remembering the soft green eyes and bright smile from the night before and with that he hit the accelerator and they continued to speed down the highway.


# # # # #


He could feel the cold envelope him quietly and swiftly as he lay on the cool tiled floor. It was only hours before that his daughter had basically told him that he was truly dead to her. The last shred of hope and sanity he’d retained over the past five years slipped out the door right behind his daughter and with the soft click of the front door his control snapped.

Crawling out of the bed he stumbled into the master bath and ripped open the medicine cabinet he stared blindly at the bottles before clumsily opening all of them one by one and spilling the contents out on to the counter. Carelessly picking up a handful of pills he popped them into his mouth and then extracted a flask from his pocket and drank deeply. Letting his eyes flutter he soon felt the effects of the drugs and the alcohol hit his system and it hit him hard causing his legs to weaken and his knees to buckle.

All too soon he found himself crashing to the floor taking some of the bill bottles and the rest of the liquor in the flask with him. And there on the floor Hank Summers lay unconscious various pills scattered around him, a flask dripping the last of his good whiskey down onto the cool floor.

30 minutes later paramedics arrived at 1630 Revello Drive and worked desperately to revive middle age man suffering alcohol poisoning and an overdose of prescription medication.


End of Chapter Seven