Backdated to last Friday, and locked: Bringing Up Baby

Feb 08, 2007 08:49

Note to self: don't fuck this up. Because one way or the other, you'll be in a position to. Either through the bringing-a-demon-to-the-housedoor thing, or otherwise, by being you. You know, that Larkin poem I quoted to Harry the first time we met? And don't have any kids yourself? Still good advice ( Read more... )

harry, family, evan, father

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Re: phone call to Connor abetterlie February 10 2007, 15:41:28 UTC
Until Angel said it, Connor hadn't realized that what he wanted to hear was just this: that he was still part of the family, and that Angel still loved him, too. Childish, so childish, and he should be far more mature than that at 21, but he still feels a great weight lift when Angel talks about plans for Los Angeles that include him and says he won't let go.

Being his parents' son, of course, he expresses this in an indirect way.

"I'll bring the hockey stuff along," he says, referring to Angel's birthday present from last year. "Los Angeles has arenas, too. I checked."

After that Connorian way of saying "I love you and am glad you still love me because maybe I was afraid you kicked me out again for what I did to Kara", his mind turns to the Cordy topic.

"A couple of days ago Cordy told me she misses the sun. I'm pretty sure she'll come along, if she has someone to go with or to."

Which means no Cordy in Gotham, on the downside, but on the upside no Harry-Cordy arguments in Gotham, either, and, the ultimate plus, probably no Cordy/Bruce Wayne or Cordy/Lindsey McDonald. It's not that Connor begrudges Cordelia the chance for happiness, he tells himself, of course he doesn't, but he's seen how Bruce treats his girlfriend Julie. And while Lindsey does deserve credit for helping to save Harry and Cordy - something which Connor felt obliged by honour to tell Cordelia - he still works for Wolfram and Hart. Which makes him less than worthy of Cordelia's affection, clearly.

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Re: phone call to Connor not_a_eunuch February 10 2007, 15:53:37 UTC
They would never cut Connor out of their life. No matter what happens with either Connor or Kara, they will always have a place with Darla and Angel. He's relieved that Connor seems to be taking the news ok and that he isn't protesting that he won't visit.

"Good. I almost had you the last time we played so expect me to win the next time."

They're both learning the sport, but Angel is enjoying it. There will be a part of him that will always remember tiny hockey sticks and a little jersey.

"I wanted to talk to you first, and then I'm going to talk with her. There is plenty of room in the hotel if she wants to move in, but even if she doesn't she could still move back and get her own place."

He's excited. He really has missed his city, his hotel, and the tripping over people who share the same space.

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Re: phone call to Connor abetterlie February 10 2007, 16:09:38 UTC
"You wish, old man," Connor says when Angel says he expects to win, and remembers what fun it was to tease Angel on those rare but existing occasions they manage to do that together. Sometimes, Angel doesn't even have to drop by for coffee because the world is ending for that to happen.

"Didn't she have a ghost in her old apartment? I remember packing her stuff with Gunn and Fred when they moved it to the hotel, but the ghost never talked to me. Fred claimed it was there, though. Could be she wants that back."

Making an educated guess, one would assume Dennis deduced what Gunn and Fred did not at the time: that 17 years old Connor was, if not responsible for Cordy's disappearance, then responsible for Angel's. But Connor isn't guessing about ghosts right now. The talk of hockey together reminds him of his own secret, which he hasn't shared yet. That there is a little boy with Harry's hair who is part of their lives now.

Unfortunately, it's not just his secret to tell. Though Angel would understand the mixture of terror and joy the prospect of a child evokes in Connor better than anyone. But Harry doesn't want Kara to know yet, for good reasons, and if Connor tells Angel, Angel will have to lie about it to Kara. Not a good new start. It would also get the excitement and joy out of Angel's voice in no time flat. So, no Evan news.

Still, his voice sounds a little more serious now when he asks: "What about Wolfram and Hart? Is the Los Angeles Branch back in business?"

Because if they are, and if it is business as usual, Angel will fight them. And they might still have that contract he signed, because of Connor.

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Re: phone call to Connor not_a_eunuch February 10 2007, 16:17:00 UTC
"Older and wiser and better at hockey than you. Just wait and see." The mention of the old apartment makes him smile. Dennis did love Cordy. He wonders what happened to her apartment and her ghost.

"Yeah, he wasn't too happy about them moving her stuff I don't think."

He vaguely remembers Fred and Gunn telling him about it. It's probably not the best time to bring up Harry's kid. Angel is already in panic mode when it comes to Kara's safety. The idea that Harry has a child will just make him wonder who the mother is and how much deeper this is going to drag Connor into Harry's clutches, and Kara into depression.

"I don't know. I'm going to restart Angel investigations." It's his way of saying he has no plans to go back to Wolfram and Hart, contract or no contract.

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Re: phone call to Connor abetterlie February 10 2007, 16:29:29 UTC
"You'll help the hopeless," Connor says. "Just make sure that includes the hopeless at hockey." A bit more serious, he adds: "If they send another Terminator clone, I'll help you kick his butt again. You know that, right?"

Meaning he counts on Angel to tell him if there should be serious trouble, and not via a last minute conversation. Just then, he hears Harry laugh in the next room, and suddenly realizes it's just a question of time before Evan babbles or squees loud enough for Angel to hear. Which means he should cut the conversation for now, and call him later, after the move, with the child not anywhere nearby.

So he waits for Angel's answer, and then plans on saying goodbye for now.

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Re: phone call to Connor not_a_eunuch February 10 2007, 16:35:33 UTC
"You'll know if I need back up."

It's true too. If he has to go up against the firm again, he'll call Connor for help. He'll call Faith and Buffy too. Even Spike if he can track him down. After all, he's not going to roll over and be a puppet on a string for them anymore.

"You call if you need anything."

It's not a request either, but he figures that it's not something they will have to debate for now.

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Re: phone call to Connor abetterlie February 10 2007, 17:06:23 UTC
"Not with my handwriting. Just in all other things."

No kidding. If you're responsible, well, half responsible, well, a third responsible for a child that your lifestyle could threaten, you do not indulge in manly "I can deal on my own" pride if a crisis approaches.

"Call me when you get there, okay? Just that I know there wasn't another air plane crash."

At least he's assuming they'll move by plane. And after what happened to Harry and Cordelia, he's a bit paranoid on that account. Which must be doubly true for Cordy. Poor Cordy, though the prospect of going home must make up for that.

"I've got go now, school stuff. Just call me. And - thank you. For holding on."

And after Angel's goodbye, he hangs up.

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