“How did it go?” Lindsey asked when Michael walked inside. The child looked gloomy. “I don’t think she’s dead. Angel showed up”. Michael said quietly.

“He did?” Lindsey walked over to the boy.

“The weirdest thing was she could feel him before I did. And she was thinking about him… do you know who she is?” Michael asked.

“No,” Lindsey said. He could tell the boy was upset.

“C’mon, I’ll make you dinner and hot chocolate”, he put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“So you’re not angry?”

“Why should I be angry?”

“That I failed”. Michael looked up at him.

“No! You’re doing your best, I’m very proud of you, Michael”. Lindsey smiled.

Michael smiled in relief.

“Hey”, Lindsey stroked the boy’s hair. “Keep that smile, son”.

Hearing these words, Michael’s smile grew even wider.

Lindsey smiled when suddenly Michael jumped up on him and hugged him. He was a bit surprised by the affection the boy gave him. He really liked this kid, he was so naïve and yet special. he hugged the kid with his one human hand and meant it. He loved this boy.

Willow looked at the bruises around Buffy’s neck.

“Wow, that looks bad”, she said.

Buffy smiled bitterly. She looked over at Angel who was sitting with Wesley and Giles, talking to them. She didn’t hear what he said, but she stared at him amazed. The way he talked- enthusiastically, made her heart speed up. He changed, he was used to people now, developing social skills. He didn’t need her anymore. He had his friends. She looked over at Cordelia who was making everyone dinner. That was a nice surprise, seeing the change in Cordelia. It had been years since they'd seen her. And Wesley… maybe she should go over to L.A too, it seems like the place helping people grow. She toyed with the thought of living with Angel and his little gang. But looking over at her own friends, she felt they all grew too. Time does its job.

Cordelia gave her a cup of tea, waking her from her musings.

“Thank you”, Buffy smiled at her.

They all sat at the table. Willow was helping Cordelia serve the food. Buffy rubbed her neck.

Angel leaned over to her. “Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

“Yeah”, she said. He straightened and she lowered her head.

“So, Angel, do you know who this boy is?” Xander asked, looking over at Angel.

“Yeah, that’s Michael-“ Cordelia started saying, but Angel’s stare cut her off. “Our little wonder boy…” she shrugged and started eating.

“This is good”, she gave herself a compliment.

“Who’s Michael?” Buffy asked, looking at Angel. “You said his name too earlier”.

Angel looked over at Cordelia and she smiled shortly, uncomfortable.

“That’s… his name”, he said quietly.

“I got that part, is he a demon?” she asked.

“…No”, Angel hesitated. “He’s 12…”

Giles and Wesley exchanged looks.

“Well?” she was waiting for more.

“You better just tell her,” Cordelia said.

“Tell her what?” Willow asked.

Angel sighed, “I just don’t think this…”

“Tell me”, Buffy demanded. “Who this kid is?”

“He’s…” Angel bit his lip. “Uh, your son”.

The room was quiet for a moment.

“Come on, you can tell me the truth,” Buffy said after a moment.

“He IS your son, Buffy”, Cordelia confirmed.

“Um, Buffy?” Xander smirked at her. “There’s something you care to share?”

Buffy sighed. “He’s not my son, are you crazy? What is your problem?” she said angrily.

“I’m afraid they speak the truth”, Wesley said.

“No”, Buffy protested. “I think I would remember if I had a baby AT THE AGE OF SEVEN!”

“Actually, it would be ten”, Willow said and silenced when Buffy stared at her sternly.

“Buffy, we need to talk”, Angel said softly. “Alone”, he added.

“Hey, we want to know too!” Xander protested.

Angel looked at him, and Xander lowered his eyes. “But we can wait…” he murmured.

Angel got up and sent out his hand to help Buffy. She got up, pushing his hand away.

The people at the table were watching as she followed Angel into the other room.

Angel closed the door behind them and looked at Buffy.

“I’m sorry I told you about it like this”, Angel said softly, looking at her.

“Oh, god. You’re serious”, Buffy looked at him. “It can’t be!”

“He’s from the future Buffy”, Angel explained. “And from another dimension”.

“Another dimension?” she looked at him, confused.

He sighed.

“And who’s the father? And how can…” she silenced and looked at him. “It’s you!” she said, looking at him. “It’s my dream!” she was excited. “Willow said you were having dreams”, Angel said.

Buffy blushed. “We were… you know… and you were… human…” she whispered, gazing at him, waiting for him to help it make sense. “And I was pregnant…” she covered her mouth with her hands.

“This boy can’t be our son, Angel. Didn’t you see how evil he was?”

“He’s not evil, he’s just confused…”

“I still don’t understand how it can be…”

“Michael?” Lindsey walked into Michael’s room. looked at the boy who had fallen asleep in front of the TV.

He walked over and stroked Michael’s hair softly.

Michael woke up startled.

“Shush, it’s just me”, Lindsey whispered. Michael sat up in the bed.

“You fell asleep in your clothes, you should wear your PJs”. Lindsey said. Michael rubbed his eyes. “Buffy loves Angel”, Michael said.

“Does she?”

“Yeah, she was in my dream again. Do you think…” he stopped talking.

“What?”

“I was thinking of my mom. The only time she mentioned Angel in her mind was when she thought she was running away from a demon. She thought Angel would beat the demon and protect her and save the world”. Michael looked up at Lindsey.

“I didn’t want you to know that”, Lindsey sighed and sat next to the boy. “What?” Michael asked.

“Michael, you were so angry with Angel, I didn’t want you to know how he cheated on your mom and hurt her”, Lindsey put his arm on Michael’s shoulder.

“But she’s not angry with him”, Michael said.

“Not now, it was a long time ago. Angel had an affair with Buffy”.

“But her thoughts were so pure… I wish I could hear Angel’s thoughts”, Michael whispered.

“Don't we all?” Lindsey hummed.