DISCLAIMER: I wanted them for my birthday but, alas, it didn't
happen.
SUMMARY: Giles tries to train with a distracted Slayer. To no use.
WORDCOUNT: 1208
THANK YOU: to FaithGirl for the beta.
NOTES: for Monique-chan, at
Buffyverse1000
Sexy Stud (Connor) Award at The Potential Awards
STRATEGY
by Leni
He recognises the brunette first. It's been years since Connor last saw her but a fight
with a girl who swept the floor with him tends to stick in a boy's memory. Especially
after certain spells were broken.
Faith isn't alone and he's curious when her companion is another woman. He's even more
curious when he picks in her the same energy that makes up Faith. Interesting.
Connor tried living a normal life, he really did. Went to school, dated a sweet girl and
then cheated on her with a proper woman. He thinks he's done his part as a normal boy. But
it wasn't enough, seventeen years worth of memories of demon dimensions, fights and
betrayals sneak into his every day thoughts. Before a year Connor was convinced 'normal'
didn't fit him, how could the guy who pinpointed every exit whenever he entered a
classroom be normal?
He isn't surprised when they notice his staring, he tried to be unconspicuous but knew
he had few chances with two Slayers.
"You got lost, little lamb?" Faith asks, arms crossed over her chest. "The
way to kindergarten is back there."
He should have known she wouldn't remember him, but it still astounds him how magic
changed so many minds. "I'm not lost," he says defiantly, knowing no other tone
would gather Faith's attention.
As expected, the brunette smiles, studying him up and down. He seems to pass the
examination. "I'm Faith," she finally says. "This is Buffy." Her arm
motions to the blonde at her side. "And you," she smiles condescendingly,
"are too young for our games."
He does notice when they turn and walk away, but he isn't really paying attention. Buffy.
He's heard that name before. How could he not?
Buffy.
Connor heard that name in his other life, when he was stuck for months with Fred and Gunn.
He researched it, needing to know everything he could about Angel. The results he obtained
were amazing, a relationship beyond his comprehension.
Knowledge was power, Holtz had been adamant in teaching that lesson. Back then Connor had
known he held a trump card in his knowledge of the blonde girl.
He's better than a fighter, much more than a tracker. He's a strategist, with his
father (the three of them) he couldn't be anything else. For the first time in a long
while, his smile is true.
Connor tried to contact Angel after his epiphany. Told him that this life, this family,
this future he was building was a farce. That he appreciated the gesture but he was ready
to drop everything and fight at his father's - his true father - side. That he wanted
to.
Angel hung up the phone before Connor could actually say the last part.
He follows them into the club, sits at the bar and asks for a beer. He listens to the
music and makes sure to be noticeable from the table the women are sitting at.
Buffy laughs when she sees him, he just nods in her direction. She bites her lip and
nudges Faith as the DJ begins his work again. They grin at each other and throw him a
mischievious look before leaving for the dance floor.
Angel seemed to think that Connor didn't want him in his life, he was bent in not taking
part in spite of being invited into it. Connor had never been patient in either set of
memories. If Angel didn't come back, soon, he would find a way to reel his father in.
He watches them dance, two mystic girls moving like quicksilver under an aggresive
beat. He sticks some bills under his glass, stands up and stalks towards them. They turn
around at the same time, Faith smiles and Buffy extends a hand that twines with his. He
lets himself be lead closer and closer, Faith is laughing somewhere behind him but all he
can see are green eyes smiling up at him.
Perfect.
Connor now had the perfect idea. He remembered clearly Angel's reaction after his night
with Cordelia. He could only imagine his reaction to this newest plan.
Yes, definitely perfect.
After all, a mad father was better than an absent one. Connor had learned that in all his
lives.
Buffy sings along with the song, her voice is off-key but he doesn't care. His hands go
on her waist and she playfully tries to squirm out of it. Her eyes widen when she can't,
hands surreptitiously going to his chest to check for a heartbeat. He smiles at her, head
slightly bent, and kisses her nose.
"I can show you all the ways I can play your games," he whispers against her
forehead, bringing her closer to him. "But I must tell you, there's an ace up my
sleeve."
Poor fools those who believed he's got a conscience just because one half of his life was
lead normally. How could they not know? Laws and propierty fled out the window the second
he remembered the taste of roasted demon flesh on his tongue.
Now Connor wanted his life back. For once he could choose which path to follow and he
wouldn't accept anyone stopping him. Not even his own father. He's earned the right to
lead it as he was first supposed to. He was the son of two vampires, the Destroyer. He was
prophecized for God's sake. If Angel hadn't read his past cards asking for a
chance, then he would have to swallow the one where Connor takes the matter into his
hands.
And what a beautiful matter she is.
For the rest of the night, the week and the following month Buffy doesn't try to step
out of his grasp anymore.
Nights of dancing, days of studies. Somewhere in between there's slaying and Faith
dissolving into the shadows that are not him and Buffy. The brunette is getting restless,
Connor can tell that, there's no playmate up to her standards anymore. Finally she gets
too bored and calls their other friends for some back-up, she never was good at the lone
avenger business.
Buffy is too busy with her new boy toy, she explains to whoever is on the other side of
the line. Buffy throws some pop corn at her and Connor laughs as some falls onto him. He
pouts and she rolls her eyes but kisses it better anyway. She always is at her best when
she wants to apologise. He hears Faith's voice in the background, thanks God that the
witch - the identity is revealed mid-conversation - is curious enough to ask for details.
Faith looks at their antics, arches an exasperated eyebrow, and gleefully gives them all.
Connor makes sure to stay around until his name crosses from one end of the phone line to
the other. He smirks, mumbles a goodnight to Faith and leads Buffy into the privacy of her
room.
Connor knew it was just a matter of time after that call. Word of mouth is everything
their little group was based upon, it couldn't be long until the right message got to the
right person.
After that... Connor grinned and dusted the weapons' chest in his newest (Buffy's) room.
He couldn't wait to welcome Daddy home.
The End
03/08/04
Feedback oh please! *grin*
