(no subject)
Title: Handsome Men Save Damsels From Monsters
Author: Beer Good (beer_good_foamy)
Prompt: 218 - AU
Fandom: Angel
Word Count: 1300 (13 100-word drabbles)
Rating: PG13
Warning: ***Character death, canon and new***
Summary: So, let's say Connor was born a girl...
The Tweak
LA
The solution was so obvious, he could have kicked himself. Probably would have, if he'd been corporeal. But hey, better late than never. Sahjahn quickly called in every favour owed to him and changed just a few key phrases in the prophecy.
* * *
The rain poured down, washing Darla's ashes from Angel's hands. He looked at Holtz and kept walking. Just focused on the tiny body in his arms, and on Darla's last words ringing in his ears.
This child... Angel, it's the one good thing we ever did together. The only good thing. You make sure to tell her that.
Christening
Angel's room
Angel and Cordelia sat, closer than ever, looking at the smiling infant.
"So... why?"
"I went through some trials. For Darla, to save her life. I made it, but they said she'd already had a second chance. Maybe this..."
"Duh, I got that, I meant why did you name her Kathy?"
"It's..." We can't make up for any of it. You know that, don't you? Angel gazed into his daughter's eyes, feeling her tiny hand grab his finger and squeeze. So tiny, so helpless. She thought I'd returned to her, an angel. "An old family name."
"Tradition?"
"Something like that."
Prophecy
Wesley's Office
Wesley stared at the scribbled translation.
The Father Will Kill The Daughter.
It made no sense. But he'd checked it again and again and there could be no doubt. (Well, technically, the Nyazian word for "daughter" and "son" were identical, but the context made it clear.) But... Angel? Wesley knew Angel wouldn't do that. The way he cared for that girl... come to think of it, he'd even been immune to Billy's misogyny charm. Impossible.
On the other hand, there was always Angelus.
Later, after the portal, after the hospital, alone in his flat, he would keep telling himself that.
Wooden Bars*
The Hyperion, Room 206
Inspired by spuffyduds' "Crib"
Angel took down the pink crib mobile.
He would have bought her dolls. They have dolls that talk ("Ma-ma") now.
He would have taken her to ice shows (Gunn can say what he wants, it's indoors and at night). Maybe teach her to skate. She would have been adorable.
He would have loved her.
Angel took the crib apart.
He would have intimidated her first boyfriend, asked about his "intentions" just to watch him squirm. Then he would have approved anyway, because Kathy would have had taste.
He would have kept her safe.
Angel smashed his fist through the wall.
A Suitable Education
Quor-Toth
Young Bessie Holtz was unusually strong, for a girl. That came in handy for things like chopping wood - not to mention butchering, skinning and cooking demons - but Holtz knew that eventually, it could easily get her killed. (That's what happens when monsters get hold of little girls.)
So this was for her own good. Tying her up in a safe place while he went hunting, making sure to return only when she was half-starved. Teach her to depend on him. It broke his heart, but not as much as the alternative.
Besides, she made an excellent demon stew.
Checking In
Hyperion Lobby
The team stepped back as the portal opened, letting through a huge demon and two humans. One shielded the other, taking the demon's claws in his chest while jamming a spear through the creature's head. Man and demon fell, side by side.
Angel rushed to the man's side. "Holtz?"
The old demon hunter coughed blood. "Angelus. Of course." He grimaced. "I kept her safe. Brought her back. Prove me wrong..." And he was gone.
The teenage girl, clad in demon skins, shivered in fear as she looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings before staring at Angel. "Are you... my dad?"
Thwarted
In a higher realm
"So..." The Power That Had Been pondered Skip's news. "Angel had a daughter."
"Yup."
"Not a son."
"Nope."
"So she and Cordelia won't..."
"Well, they might. Don't knock the femslash. But it won't lead to any pregnancy, mystical or otherwise."
The Power That Would Very Much Have Liked To Be Again sighed. "So when is my next opportunity to be reborn?"
"A hundred years, give or take."
"Oh."
"Can we still send the Beast to blot out the sun? I kinda had my heart set on that, and since we've already hired him, might as well get even..."
"Why not."
And Will He Not Come Again?
The Hyperion, Room 406
Fred knocked quietly. "Kathy? Can I come in?"
The girl sat huddled up on the bed, dark hair hanging over piercing eyes, mumbling.
"Sorry?"
"My name is Bessie. Not Kathy."
"Oh. Sure. How are you feeling?"
The teenager didn't look at her. "I... my father told me this is the real world. The good one. But... he was... it was..." Words failed her.
"Well, at least you're not writing on the walls," Fred smiled. "Hey, tell you what. Let's get some tacos, and I'll tell you what your real father's like."
"Ta-kohs...?"
"Oh, you really did grow up in hell."
Make-Over
LA
Kathy (no longer Bessie) got better. She left her room. She trusted that they wanted the best for her. She didn't flinch when Angel was around. She had hesitant discussions with Fred about hell dimensions and heroes. Cordelia took her shopping ("You'll drive the boys crazy with those eyes"). She learned to read (an abridged Wuthering Heights was her favourite). She was indifferent to tacos, but loved sandwiches (bread in general). She became a Sandra Bullock fan. She was strong, which was moot; Angel didn't let any monsters get within 500 feet of her.
Then The Beast came, all crush-kill-destroy.
De-Programming
The Hyperion basement
The girl approached the caged vampire.
"Ah, sweet Kathy," Angelus chuckled. "I was wondering if they'd let you face me."
She looked at him.
"Did I ever tell you who you're named after?" A slight Irish lilt. "Funny story -"
"You're not my father."
"Did Holtz tell you that?"
"My father showed me." She held up the jar she'd been keeping safe since the ritual, the soul swirling behind the thick glass. "This is him. You're nothing like him."
"Oh, you're no fun anymore."
They restored his soul. Fire rained from the sky. The Beast kept hunting Angel's impossible child.
Destiny-Free
Kathy's room
"Come in."
Angel waited for her reply before opening the door. Outside, LA burned.
"So... that's it?" She took the small vial from his hand. "I drink this, the Beast stops hunting me? Everyone's safe?"
"That's what Lilah promised." He looked in her eyes. "You think I don't know you, Kathy, but I know you want... deserve a normal life. This is your decision. Just... trust that I love you. That I'll continue to do anything to keep you safe."
She nodded. "OK, Dad." One gulp and she was a normal girl, without demons. And Angel had a new job.
And In the End
...the love you take...
Later, much later...
...after Cordelia never woke up, unable to withstand the visions anymore...
...after Wesley beheaded Lilah to keep her from becoming a vampire...
...after Fred was hollowed out by a hellgod...
...after Illyria had most of her powers removed so she didn't explode...
...after Sahjahn killed Kathy in 3.6 seconds...
...Angel told Buffy about her. "She was strong, but not all girls are fighters. Don't ask me why, I don't make the rules. But I loved her, I did everything to protect her." And at least, he thought (and immediately chided himself for thinking) the prophecy was bullshit.
...Or Is It?
The Hot Place
Skip nodded - carefully, his head hurt. "Yup, that might have worked."
Sahjahn glared at him. "'Might'? Look at the guy's track record. Or his girls' track record. It's all about figuring out what makes him tick. Trust me, it would have worked." He yelled in pain as a little imp poked him with a red-hot pitchfork again, right where Connor cut his head off. "If I'd just thought of it at the time."
That's the thing about hell; you have lots of time to think about second chances and do-overs, but in the end, reality is what it is.
Author: Beer Good (beer_good_foamy)
Prompt: 218 - AU
Fandom: Angel
Word Count: 1300 (13 100-word drabbles)
Rating: PG13
Warning: ***Character death, canon and new***
Summary: So, let's say Connor was born a girl...
The Tweak
LA
The solution was so obvious, he could have kicked himself. Probably would have, if he'd been corporeal. But hey, better late than never. Sahjahn quickly called in every favour owed to him and changed just a few key phrases in the prophecy.
* * *
The rain poured down, washing Darla's ashes from Angel's hands. He looked at Holtz and kept walking. Just focused on the tiny body in his arms, and on Darla's last words ringing in his ears.
This child... Angel, it's the one good thing we ever did together. The only good thing. You make sure to tell her that.
Christening
Angel's room
Angel and Cordelia sat, closer than ever, looking at the smiling infant.
"So... why?"
"I went through some trials. For Darla, to save her life. I made it, but they said she'd already had a second chance. Maybe this..."
"Duh, I got that, I meant why did you name her Kathy?"
"It's..." We can't make up for any of it. You know that, don't you? Angel gazed into his daughter's eyes, feeling her tiny hand grab his finger and squeeze. So tiny, so helpless. She thought I'd returned to her, an angel. "An old family name."
"Tradition?"
"Something like that."
Prophecy
Wesley's Office
Wesley stared at the scribbled translation.
The Father Will Kill The Daughter.
It made no sense. But he'd checked it again and again and there could be no doubt. (Well, technically, the Nyazian word for "daughter" and "son" were identical, but the context made it clear.) But... Angel? Wesley knew Angel wouldn't do that. The way he cared for that girl... come to think of it, he'd even been immune to Billy's misogyny charm. Impossible.
On the other hand, there was always Angelus.
Later, after the portal, after the hospital, alone in his flat, he would keep telling himself that.
Wooden Bars*
The Hyperion, Room 206
Inspired by spuffyduds' "Crib"
Angel took down the pink crib mobile.
He would have bought her dolls. They have dolls that talk ("Ma-ma") now.
He would have taken her to ice shows (Gunn can say what he wants, it's indoors and at night). Maybe teach her to skate. She would have been adorable.
He would have loved her.
Angel took the crib apart.
He would have intimidated her first boyfriend, asked about his "intentions" just to watch him squirm. Then he would have approved anyway, because Kathy would have had taste.
He would have kept her safe.
Angel smashed his fist through the wall.
A Suitable Education
Quor-Toth
Young Bessie Holtz was unusually strong, for a girl. That came in handy for things like chopping wood - not to mention butchering, skinning and cooking demons - but Holtz knew that eventually, it could easily get her killed. (That's what happens when monsters get hold of little girls.)
So this was for her own good. Tying her up in a safe place while he went hunting, making sure to return only when she was half-starved. Teach her to depend on him. It broke his heart, but not as much as the alternative.
Besides, she made an excellent demon stew.
Checking In
Hyperion Lobby
The team stepped back as the portal opened, letting through a huge demon and two humans. One shielded the other, taking the demon's claws in his chest while jamming a spear through the creature's head. Man and demon fell, side by side.
Angel rushed to the man's side. "Holtz?"
The old demon hunter coughed blood. "Angelus. Of course." He grimaced. "I kept her safe. Brought her back. Prove me wrong..." And he was gone.
The teenage girl, clad in demon skins, shivered in fear as she looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings before staring at Angel. "Are you... my dad?"
Thwarted
In a higher realm
"So..." The Power That Had Been pondered Skip's news. "Angel had a daughter."
"Yup."
"Not a son."
"Nope."
"So she and Cordelia won't..."
"Well, they might. Don't knock the femslash. But it won't lead to any pregnancy, mystical or otherwise."
The Power That Would Very Much Have Liked To Be Again sighed. "So when is my next opportunity to be reborn?"
"A hundred years, give or take."
"Oh."
"Can we still send the Beast to blot out the sun? I kinda had my heart set on that, and since we've already hired him, might as well get even..."
"Why not."
And Will He Not Come Again?
The Hyperion, Room 406
Fred knocked quietly. "Kathy? Can I come in?"
The girl sat huddled up on the bed, dark hair hanging over piercing eyes, mumbling.
"Sorry?"
"My name is Bessie. Not Kathy."
"Oh. Sure. How are you feeling?"
The teenager didn't look at her. "I... my father told me this is the real world. The good one. But... he was... it was..." Words failed her.
"Well, at least you're not writing on the walls," Fred smiled. "Hey, tell you what. Let's get some tacos, and I'll tell you what your real father's like."
"Ta-kohs...?"
"Oh, you really did grow up in hell."
Make-Over
LA
Kathy (no longer Bessie) got better. She left her room. She trusted that they wanted the best for her. She didn't flinch when Angel was around. She had hesitant discussions with Fred about hell dimensions and heroes. Cordelia took her shopping ("You'll drive the boys crazy with those eyes"). She learned to read (an abridged Wuthering Heights was her favourite). She was indifferent to tacos, but loved sandwiches (bread in general). She became a Sandra Bullock fan. She was strong, which was moot; Angel didn't let any monsters get within 500 feet of her.
Then The Beast came, all crush-kill-destroy.
De-Programming
The Hyperion basement
The girl approached the caged vampire.
"Ah, sweet Kathy," Angelus chuckled. "I was wondering if they'd let you face me."
She looked at him.
"Did I ever tell you who you're named after?" A slight Irish lilt. "Funny story -"
"You're not my father."
"Did Holtz tell you that?"
"My father showed me." She held up the jar she'd been keeping safe since the ritual, the soul swirling behind the thick glass. "This is him. You're nothing like him."
"Oh, you're no fun anymore."
They restored his soul. Fire rained from the sky. The Beast kept hunting Angel's impossible child.
Destiny-Free
Kathy's room
"Come in."
Angel waited for her reply before opening the door. Outside, LA burned.
"So... that's it?" She took the small vial from his hand. "I drink this, the Beast stops hunting me? Everyone's safe?"
"That's what Lilah promised." He looked in her eyes. "You think I don't know you, Kathy, but I know you want... deserve a normal life. This is your decision. Just... trust that I love you. That I'll continue to do anything to keep you safe."
She nodded. "OK, Dad." One gulp and she was a normal girl, without demons. And Angel had a new job.
And In the End
...the love you take...
Later, much later...
...after Cordelia never woke up, unable to withstand the visions anymore...
...after Wesley beheaded Lilah to keep her from becoming a vampire...
...after Fred was hollowed out by a hellgod...
...after Illyria had most of her powers removed so she didn't explode...
...after Sahjahn killed Kathy in 3.6 seconds...
...Angel told Buffy about her. "She was strong, but not all girls are fighters. Don't ask me why, I don't make the rules. But I loved her, I did everything to protect her." And at least, he thought (and immediately chided himself for thinking) the prophecy was bullshit.
...Or Is It?
The Hot Place
Skip nodded - carefully, his head hurt. "Yup, that might have worked."
Sahjahn glared at him. "'Might'? Look at the guy's track record. Or his girls' track record. It's all about figuring out what makes him tick. Trust me, it would have worked." He yelled in pain as a little imp poked him with a red-hot pitchfork again, right where Connor cut his head off. "If I'd just thought of it at the time."
That's the thing about hell; you have lots of time to think about second chances and do-overs, but in the end, reality is what it is.