The Song Remembers When

"So will he be okay?" Jordan asked, breaking the silence as she watched her brother sleeping in their father's arms.

"Uncle Steve thinks so," Buffy said tightening her grip on the girl. Holding Jordan in her arms gave Buffy the comfort she needed and couldn't get from her own child at the moment.

"So will they still do the transfer?" Jordan asked, arching her neck so she could look directly up at Buffy.

"Yes, Uncle Steve thinks that Evan should be well enough in a few days, and it's called a transfusion not transfer," Buffy said reaching down to tweak her nose.

"Oh right," Jordan giggled.

"Your brother and father will be out for awhile. Uncle Steve gave them both something to make them sleep," Buffy said inhaling the vanilla scent that clung to Jordan's hair.

"Why did he give Dad something? Because of his toe?" Jordan asked as her forehead wrinkled in concern. Her father looked so tired, even in his sleep.

"No baby," Buffy laughed. "Uncle Steve just thought you're dad could use something to help him get some rest."

"Oh. That's good. Daddy hasn't sleep much since Mom died," Jordan said so off-handedly that it caught Buffy by surprise.

"What do you mean Dani?"

"Since Mom died he just sleeps less," Jordan said shrugging her shoulders. "He's in his office long after midnight, and then he comes up to check on us before he goes to bed."

"How do you know this?"

"I usually wake up when he opens my door," Jordan replied simply.

"After my Mom died he hurt a lot. Some nights I couldn't sleep because I could feel it," Jordan continued, shocking Buffy yet again.

"You know your dad pretty well, don't you?" Buffy asked, unsure what to say to this remarkable child.

"I guess so. I mean, I usually know what he's feeling or thinking," she said pulling out of Buffy's arms to walk to the end of the bed that her father and brother shared.

Buffy studied the child's back thoughtfully for a moment before sensing another presence behind her. Buffy turned and smiled at Graham.

"Did you just hear that? She's amazing," Buffy smiled in wonder.

"Yeah she really is, and she's telling you the truth. Jordy's got a really intense bond with Riley. It's like she can read him all the time," Graham said wrapping his arms around Buffy like she'd held Jordan moments ago.

At Buffy's startled and questioning glance, Graham shrugged and said,

"I thought it was your turn to get a little TLC."

"So you're serious about Dani and Riley?" she smiled softly as she enjoyed the feel of Graham's arms. She just wished that it were Riley instead.

"Dead," Graham said, watching Jordan as she moved to the chair beside the bed and climbed up on it so she could hold her brother's hand.

"She really loves Evan doesn't she?"

"Yeah, and he feels the same way about her," Buffy said as she watched Jordan.

"I've called Willow and told her everything. She said she'd tell Dawn and Marc in the morning. Marc's going to send one of Riley's suits over for him to change into as well. I still can't believe that you and Evan convinced him it was okay from him to go to New Orleans."

"I'm surprised that we were able to get him to go too," she said as she snuggled deeper into Graham's embrace and yawned.

"Steve's got a room for me down the hall and if I'm going to New Orleans in the morning, I should get a couple hours sleep. You gonna be ok?" he asked, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"Yeah I'll be fine. Go. I hear you're not very good company when you don't get your beauty sleep," she teased.

"Yeah? Well he isn't exactly prince charming either," Graham replied, waving his hand in Riley's general direction. "He looks so tired all the time."

"You think he's okay?" Buffy asked, her heart clenching in fear for the love that she had only just recently rediscovered.

"He's fine," Graham soothed. "I just think he's all keyed up these days, what with you and Evan, the operation, Willow's stalker, his parents, your parents, and an approaching apocalypse, he' got a lot on his mind."

"Well when you put it that way," Buffy laughed. Graham definitely had a way of lightening a situation, and at the moment, it was exactly what she needed.

"Are you sure you'll be okay if I leave you?" he asked again, knowing that he'd stay with her all night if she'd asked him.

"Perfectly, and you're just down the hall if I need you right?" Buffy assured him even though she wanted nothing better than to ask him to stay and keep holding her. She knew how much he needed his rest though and refused to let herself be selfish.

"I'll leave the room number with the nurse. Want me to see if Jordan will come lie down?"

"No, I think she's okay here. If she falls asleep, I'll move her to the couch. "She seems to need them, as much as they need her," Buffy said turning to kiss Graham on the cheek.

"What's that for?" he asked surprised by Buffy's affection.

"For being a good friend."

Sometime during the night, Jordan fell asleep and Buffy moved her to the couch. She took over Jordan's vigil in the chair next to the bed and she rested her head on Riley's thigh. In his sleep, Riley's hand found its way to her hair and his fingers entwined in the silky strands, caressing softly. Sighing gently so as not to wake him, Buffy let herself drift off to sleep, grateful that Riley was there this time to hold Evan.

______________________________________________________________________

Riley woke with a start. He looked around and realised where he was and remembered the events of the previous evening. In his arms, his son still slept peacefully, his body feeling much cooler than it had last night. Riley leaned forward to kiss his son's head before glancing up at the ceiling and offering words of thank you and praise to God for saving his child. Buffy's head was still resting on his thigh and he looked down at her, marvelling at her beauty. She looked tired and worried, but even the lines were beautiful to him.

"Buffy?" Riley whispered softly, running the fingers of his free hand through her silky hair. The texture reminded him of the way her silk night-gown felt as it rubbed against his bare chest.

"Sweetheart," he whispered again, looking down to make sure he hadn't woken Evan as Buffy began to stir.

He loved watching her wake up, the way she stretched beside him like a cat as she fought her way through the layers of sleep, smiling at him through slitted eyes. This morning however, she looked incredible uncomfortable. Her body was bent at an odd angle from sleeping in the chair and her neck would undoubtedly ache all day because of the way it rested on his leg.

"Hon, I need your help with Evan," he whispered one more time. The truth was, Riley needed to go to the bathroom in the worst way, and he needed her to help him lift Evan.

"What's wrong with Evan?" Buffy said, coming fully awake, panic filling her face.

"Nothing. I just need your help moving him, or I'm going to do something I haven't done since I was a very little boy," Riley said as Buffy helped him shift Evan.

"Not even when you saw your first HST?" she whispered over their son's head as she smirked at him

"I'm a professional solider," Riley said, sliding out from under Evan. "My bladder knew better than to relieve itself without an order!"

Evan whimpered slightly in his sleep at the lost contact with his father, making Riley stop abruptly and turn back to his son

"It's okay Ev, I'm not going far," he said, stroking the boy's hair off his forehead.

Watching the tenderness that Riley showed Evan brought tears to Buffy's eyes, as she thought of all the lost moments her actions had caused this pair.

Buffy watched as Riley disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door. She sighed heavily with regret before turning back to her son and kissing his forehead. She leaned him back against the pillows, hearing him moan in his sleep. Buffy followed Riley to the bathroom and opened the door. She slipped through it and then locked it behind her. A startled Riley glanced over his shoulder to see her leaning against the door, a naughty smirk on her lips.

"Do you mind if I join you?" she asked casually, enjoying the view before her. But then, she enjoyed everything that Riley did.

"Only if I get to watch you pee too," he said, turning back to zip his jeans up. Buffy walked over to the sink and leaned against it, sliding over slightly so that he could wash his hands and waited patiently for Riley to give her his full attention. He dropped the toilet seat and it's cover so he could sit down on it and then reached for Buffy's hand. Riley pulled her away from the sink to him and settled her so that she straddled his lap and was facing him.

"So how do you feel this morning?" she asked, leaning her head against his as he held her around her back.

"Other than one extremely stiff arm, I'm okay," he smiled at her.

"Feel rested?"

"Yup," he said, his eyes meeting hers.

"Good, you needed a good night's sleep for a change," she said, running her fingers through the short hairs at the nape of his neck.

"I think you could probably use some sleep yourself," Riley said, shivering at her touch. His skin pebbled at the point where her fingertips met the sensitive skin of his neck.

"I'll sleep later," she said, using her other hand to trace random circles on his chest. After the night they'd been through, being sheltered in his arms in a hospital bathroom was starting to feel like heaven.

"Evan's temperature seems to have gone down. I felt like I was on fire last night when I was holding him," Riley said a little breathlessly as he answered her skin doodles by drawing circles on her back.

"Yeah it's dropped quite a bit. It usually does after a blood transfusion."

"I'm so very sorry that I haven't been there for you through Evan's illness," Riley said, pressing his forehead more firmly to hers.

"No, I'm sorry that you've missed so much of Evan's life. It's my fault…" Buffy began, pulling away from him.

"I thought we agreed that we weren't going to keep blaming ourselves for what could have been but enjoy the time we have now," he said, looking at her tired face.

"You're right," she said, "no more self blame."

"You sure you want me to go to New Orleans? I mean I could stay here," Riley said as he kissed Buffy lightly.

"No, you should go. Things will be fine here with Evan," she assured him, returning his kiss.

"I was thinking more about you meeting your mom and the old gang," he told her.

"Oh. No, you go to New Orleans. I'll take Dani with me to meet them. Like I told you last night, even my family won't say anything about you in front of your daughter," Buffy winked at him.

"Sure, okay…if you're positive. I can cancel."

"Nope, I will not be responsible for an apocalypse, not after all the ones I've stopped!"

"Okay," he smiled at her and Buffy's heart thundered against her rib cage. She felt a familiar tingle start in the pit of her belly and knew that she was heading into dangerous territory. She needed to move…now!

"Look, why don't you jump in the shower and I'll go get the stuff that Marc sent over for you."

"Only if you promise to scrub my back. That door have a lock?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded and smiled slyly at him as his lips claimed hers.

______________________________________________________________________

As soon as the plane came to a stop in the hanger, Fred opened the door for the passengers.

"You must be Fred. I'm Buffy," Buffy introduced herself to the man on the stairs.

"Hello Buffy, it's a pleasure to meet you. And hello to you too, Miss Jordan," Fred said swooping down to kiss the child's hand.

"Hi Fred!" Jordan smiled up at the pilot.

"Would it be possible for me to have a few moments alone with my family? You may have to make a return trip, and I apologise in advance for that," Buffy smiled ruefully at the man.

"Just give me time to gas up and I'm out of here," he said. He had heard enough from the snippets of conversation to understand that he might just be doing a return flight to LAX.

"Thanks," she said, climbing the steps with Jordan at her side.

"How was everyone's flight?" Buffy asked as she entered the plane.

"Buffy!" Joyce exclaimed, seeing her daughter enter the fuselage.

"Where's my grandson?" Giles demanded as soon as he noticed that the child beside Buffy was wearing a dress and not pants.

"Evan had to be hospitalised last night," Buffy explained calmly.

"Oh my poor baby! Is he okay?" Joyce blurted out, feeling tears prick her eyes.

"He's better Mom. The doctors hope to have him home by tomorrow," Buffy smiled reassuringly at her mother. Evan's illness had been hard on her whole family, particularly her mother and Giles.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Steve says he should be home by tomorrow."

"Who's Steve?" Xander asked suspiciously as he looked up at Buffy.

"Dr. Steven Bishop. He's one of the top Paediatric Oncologists in the country and a good friend of Riley's."

"One of the country's best," Giles repeated, cleaning his glasses "Well, I guess we couldn't want for more than that."

"Exactly."

"So who's with him now?" Joyce asked, trying to sense if Buffy was holding anything back from them.

"Dawn and Riley's brother Marc."

"Well whose that then?" Mason asked, pointing at the little girl standing at Buffy's side.

"Mason, everyone, I'd like you meet Evan's sister Jordan. Jordan, honey, this is my Mom and Step-Dad. That's Uncle Xander and Aunt Anya, and their son Mason. That's *your* Uncle Angel and Aunt Cordelia, and their twin daughters Kristie and Kelly and last but not least your Uncle Wesley," Buffy said eyeing each one of them in turn, daring them to say anything that would hurt this fragile child.

"Oh my Buffy, she looks so much like Evan!" Cordelia said smiling up at Buffy.

"It's truly uncanny," Giles agreed staring at the beautiful little girl.

"Wait until you see her younger sister Tristan. Other than her curls she looks exactly like him too," Buffy said as she smiled down at the child hiding behind her.

"Umm…I have an announcement to make and I'm not sure you're going to like hearing this," Buffy began after a few minutes of silent admiration of Riley's oldest daughter. Buffy eyed them all carefully and tightened her grip on Jordan's hand.

"Riley and I are together. I mean together as in a 'couple'," she said looking directly at Angel.

"So what he sent you here to deal with us alone?" Angel asked as he smirked unpleasantly.

"No. He's in New Orleans on emergency business for the Vatican and he and Graham won't be flying back until dinner time," Buffy replied evenly.

"He couldn't face us," Angel snarled.

"If he couldn't face you, why would he invite you into his home and send his plane for you?" Buffy challenged.

"Honey we're..." Joyce began, seeing the sparks of anger flying between Buffy and Angel.

"If any of you, and I mean any of you, have objections to Riley and I being back together then I suggest you stay on this plane and Fred will fly you back immediately. I will not have your negative comments hurting Evan or these little girls," Buffy said placing her arm protectively around Dani's slim shoulders.

"I love Riley and these children, so you will just have to deal with it," she snapped tightening her grip on Dani as she looked around the plane.

"Honey, we're just concerned about you and Evan," her mother said, undoing her seatbelt to stand up.

"I understand that Mom, but Riley's here for me and Evan 100%. He loves me as much now as he did 10 years ago and Xander, you know how much he loved me," she said turning to look at Xander.

"I know," Xander said smiling at her. He was glad to see the old Buffy back and if it was Riley that gave her that spark again, then he was happy for them. Xander always knew in his heart that they would find their way back to each other. Their love was special.

"But what about..." Angel started to protest as he got up from his seat but Cordelia's hand on his arm stopped him.

"This isn't the time to discuss this," Cordelia said looking at Dani, then back up Angel meaningfully.

"So is anyone going home? I need to let Fred know," Buffy said still not letting go of Jordan. Having Riley's daughter beside her somehow made Buffy feel that she had him with her.

"No way, I wanna see this millionaire's house!" Cordelia said as she undid her seatbelt and pushed past Angel.

"Cordy you'll love it. I still get lost!" Buffy giggled as she thought about the mansion Riley called home.

"It's that big?" Anya asked reaching for her carry-on, the awe clear in her voice.

"Huge! I can't get over it! At first I thought it was so un-Riley, but then I saw this new powerful Riley it matches him and the life he's built," Buffy said hugging Giles.

"So is he different?" Cordy asked. She didn't know why she was asking as she hadn't met Riley before and therefore would have no basis for comparison.

"No, he's still the sweet, loving Riley I've always remembered but there's this new side of him…" Buffy smiled, a far-away look in her eyes.

"Does she always do this?" Xander asked, nudging Jordan.

"Only when Dad's not in the room," Jordan snickered. "But he's worse!"

"Things haven't changed much then," Xander said to himself as he watched the little girl move towards Cordelia and the twins.

"Can I hold them?" she asked looking at the little dark haired girls.

"Sure you can once we get back to the house," Cordy said smiling down at the little girl. She was suddenly hit with a blinding pain that caused her to cry out and her knees gave way. Angel caught his wife before she a chance to hit the ground. Everyone stood watching as the scene played out before them. Although Cordelia had been having the visions for over 10 years, it was still very unsettling when they happened.

"Mom, why don't you and I take the girls so Angel can help Cordelia. Xander, can you grab their bags?" Buffy said, recovering quickly. She reached to take the twin's carriers from the seats they were strapped into and began to make her way to the door of the plane. "Dani, c'mon baby, let's go outside."

"Is she okay?" Dani asked as Giles led her away from Cordelia and Angel. She was clearly upset by Cordelia's collapse.

"She'll be fine sweetheart," Giles assured her as he came down the steps of the plane behind her. "She gets headaches like this when she flies."

"Yeah she faints all the time," Mason said coming to stand beside his best friend's new sister.

"All the time?"

"Oh yeah, you get used to it. So you live in a huge house huh? Do you have a pool…"

It was the last thing the adults heard as the youngsters started to walk toward the vehicle that waited to take them to the Finn home

"What was that all about?" Angel asked brushing the hair off of Cordy's face. They were the only people left on the plane.

"Must have been from flying. All those millions of voices up in the clouds speaking to me all at once."

"Don't give me that lame excuse, I know you," Angel said lifting Cordelia's chin so she had to look him in the eye.

"I…I'm not ready to tell you yet, but I will later," she said looking away from him. She was afraid he'd see the fear in her eyes.

"Okay later, but you'll tell me the truth, Delia," he said hugging her to him.

"Promise," she whispered against his ear.

"Can you walk? Or do you want me to carry you?"

"Carry me, I need to sleep," she muttered, resting her head against his shoulder. The visions had been fewer over the last few years, but the headaches had become crippling for her. Angel hated that his beloved wife was his connection to the Powers That Be but his feelings did not matter to them. It was so hard to see his wife in such pain and knowing he was the cause made it even harder.

"You rest baby," he said softly, kissing her forehead as he made his way to the plane's door. He had known that this trip wasn't going to be easy and Delia's vision could not be a good omen.

Graham let himself into the noisy house. He could hear one of the girls squealing in the distance and recognised the voice as belonging to Hope. He smiled softly, and revelled for a moment in being home before shrugging out of his coat. He opened the closet door and hung up his coat and then turned to find Willow standing behind him, swaying slightly on her crutches.

"Just the woman I wanted to see," he said, covering the distance that separated them in three easy strides.

"Welcome home handsome," Willow giggled as he swept her up into his arms. Willow's crutches clattered to the marble floor as Graham kissed her deeply.

"God I missed you," he growled as he looked into her beautiful green eyes.

"Right back at you, big guy," she said and leaned in so their lips met in another sweet kiss.

"Promise to never leave me again," he said, pulling back from her.

"Um tiger? You were the one who left me, remember?" Willow giggled and reached up to rest her hand on his cheek.

"See what happens when you're in my arms? I lose my mind!" Graham teased before turning his head to kiss her palm.

"Where's Riley?" Willow asked, noticing they were alone in the hallway.

"I dropped him off at the hospital. Evan and Buffy were all he could think about all day," he said settling Willow back on her feet and picking up her crutches. "By the way how did today go?"

"As best as can be expected, I guess. The girls have won them all over and Xander is currently trying to convince Anya to have another baby if this one's a boy. He says he wants a little girl just like Tristan."

"Well he can stand in line," Graham said putting his arm around Willow's shoulders. She stiffened slightly. "You okay?"

"Just tired," she replied quickly.

"If that's all…" he said kissing the top of her head.

"Riley's going to be disappointed I'm afraid. Dawn and Joyce made her come home for a nap. She was completely bagged," Willow said, steering the conversation back to their friends.

"Are you sure she's okay?"

"Just tired. A couple hours sleep and she'll be good as new. Besides we have good news! Evan is coming home tomorrow!" Willow said smiling at her lover.

"Baby, that's great! Riley will be doing backflips when he hears!"

"Hello Graham," Angel said coolly as he came down the hall towards the couple.

"Angel," Graham nodded, sizing the other man up. Since Willow's stalker had violated her home, the two men had spoken often over the phone and a new-found respect had been forged between them but Graham held back. After all, Riley was still his best friend.

"How's Cordy feeling?" Willow asked quickly, hoping she could ease the tension in the room.

"I'm just going up to check on her. She should be sleeping," Angel said as he stopped near the couple.

"Has she told you what the vision was about?" Willow asked looking up at Angel and noticing the flash of concern that floated across his face. Angel shook his head.

"She says it's the flying that does it, that it makes her more prone to psychic energies," Angel hoped Cordelia's lame excuse would wash with Willow and Graham.

"Oh, well, I hope she's okay. If she needs anything please don't hesitate to ask," Graham said watching the other man closely. He hadn't missed the look that had clouded Angel's eyes for a fleeting second.

"Don't be long, Angel, we're thinking after dinner drinks in the living room," Willow called after Angel as he went up the stairs.

"After dinner drinks? But I haven't eaten yet!" Graham said.

"I know and you won't be for a bit. I'm planning on taking advantage of you," Willow smiled seductively as she leaned in again to capture his lips.

"Mmm… I do like appetizers," Graham murmured grinning.

Riley could almost have skipped down the hall after his meeting with Steve. Evan could come home tomorrow if his red blood cell count continued to stay up where it was. Riley was relieved, as he had promised Evan that he would move heaven and earth for him to be home for Christmas. He had kept his word, which for Riley was important because he went of his way not to lie to his children. It wasn't his intention to start now.

Riley halted in front of Evan's room, tossing the bag he'd been carrying into the air and catching it in glee. He couldn't wait to see Evan and Buffy as he'd missed them terribly all day and phone calls just didn't seem to make up the distance between New Orleans and Boston. Glancing into the room, he saw Evan was sound asleep but there was no sign of Buffy. Riley made his way to the nurse's station where he smiled at the night nurse.

"Excuse me, do you know where Ms. Summers is?" he asked, hoping that Buffy had just slipped away to grab something to eat. He was worried that she was just a little to skinny these days.

"She went to get a coffee with Marc, but they should be back any second," the nurse smiled back at him. Riley couldn't help but notice that the nurse used his brother's first name and was very attractive. His brother's taste in women was impeccable as always.

"Thank you," he said turning in time to see Dawn and Marc coming towards him.

"Welcome home Riley," Dawn said as she grabbed his tie to pull him down so she could kiss his cheek.

"You never change do you?" Riley smiled returning the kiss in kind.

"Never," she smiled.

"Where's Buffy?"

"We sent her home with Mom and Giles. She could barely keep her eyes open," Dawn said sipping her coffee.

"Either can my son from the looks of things," Riley smiled as he watched the boy from the door of his room. "How long has he slept today?"

"They just gave something to make him sleep through the night. Steve told us to head home but we thought we'd wait for you to show up," Marc said as he stood next to his older brother.

"I think I'll stay," Riley told them, not taking his eyes from Evan's sleeping form.

"No you're going home. Steve told me to tell you that that is an order," Marc said firmly and looking to Dawn for confirmation.

"Yup, said if you show, I quote, 'your lousy butt here after 8pm' that we are to take you home," Dawn said nodding her head to make her point.

"But if he wakes up I don't want him to be alone," Riley said looking from Evan to the two standing beside him, then back at his son.

"Riley, they've given him enough sedatives to knock out an elephant. He isn't going to wake up! Steve wants him to get plenty of rest while he can," Marc assured him.

"Well why didn't Steve tell me that himself when I saw him a few minutes ago?" Riley challenged his brother.

"Because as always he saves the shit jobs for me," Marc said and smiled at him.

"Okay, okay give me a few minutes with him and then I'll go home peacefully," Riley sighed.

"Fine, we'll leave you alone," Dawn said taking Marc's elbow and leading him away from the room.

"Thanks," he mumbled as he tiptoed quietly into the room so as not to wake Evan. A nurse walked in behind him to check Evan's vitals.

"Don't worry Mr. Finn, you won't wake him, he's out like a light," the pretty nurse from the night duty station smiled at him.

"So he's doing better?" Riley whispered.

"According to Dr. Bishop. Really, Mr. Finn, you won't wake him. I promise," the nurse said changing Evan's i.v. bag.

Riley looked up at the nurse then back down at his sleeping son and shrugged his shoulders as he pulled up the chair next to the bed.

"Hey Ev, it's Dad," Riley said reaching out to brush the hair off of Evan's forehead. "I'm back from New Orleans. Talk about a crazy city! I can't wait to show it to you one day. Of course that'll have to wait until you're old enough to really enjoy it."

Taking Evan's hand in his, Riley stared at it briefly before he continued talking.

"I wanna take your mom there for Mardi Gras. She'll love it. Oh I brought you something," Riley said letting go of Evan's hand to reach for the bag he'd placed on the floor by the chair.

"Okay, now I know that necklaces are kind of girlie and all but you need these when you're in New Orleans," Riley explained as he pulled a pile of multi-coloured beaded necklaces from the bag.

"Don't worry I brought some for your sisters as well. They'll be broken all over the house before Christmas Eve but I knew they'd love them. Just so you know Buddy, I love to spoil my children," Riley said stroking Evan's hair.

"Oh and I have this for you too," Riley pulled a mask out of the bag. The mask was a beautiful bird made of multi-coloured feathers sticking out everywhere and gold piping edging the face.

"See I thought that when the pain gets too much and you wanna escape, you could just put this on and pretend to be a bird and fly off for awhile," Riley turned to look at the nurse standing on the other side of the bed. "Okay I'm not used to having a boy. Is this kind of girlie?"

"No Mr. Finn, any little boy would be lucky to have you as his father," she smiled and turned to leave the room.

"Thank you… I'm sorry I don't know you're name."

"Francis," she said.

"Well thank you, Francis," Riley said and smiled back at her before she left the room.

"So they're taking good care of you buddy. You get to come home with us tomorrow though. I know your sisters won't be able to wait until then. They really miss you. I talked to Tristan today and she wants to have her bed brought here so she can sleep with you at night so you won't get scared. Cute eh?" Riley said holding Evan's hand in his.

"We all miss you Evan, we want you home with us. I love you buddy," Riley said leaning in to kiss his son's forehead.

Riley sat watching his son for what felt like forever until Dawn and Marc collected him for the ride home.

"Good night buddy. When you wake up in the morning, I'll be sitting right here again waiting for you."

Riley kissed his son one last time before he let his brother and Dawn take him home.

"I love you Evan, more than you'll ever know."

"I think he knows Dad," Dawn said taking Riley's hand in hers and leading him out of the room.

"Come on, Ri. I think Buffy could use a friendly face right about now," Dawn said as they walked down the hall.

"You think?"

"I know! Its not like they're threatening to string you up or anything, but Angel's not too happy. Cordelia's not well," Dawn finished as they stepped into the elevator. Riley blanched a little at the vampire's name.

"Don't worry Riley, I'll protect you," she smiled up at him, almost enjoying the unease look on his face.

Angel let himself into the room that he and Cordelia were sharing in Riley's house. Expecting to see her in bed, Angel was surprised to see her sitting on the couch staring out the window.

"Hon, I thought you were going to bed," Angel said as he came to sit beside his wife.

"No, I can't sleep," she replied.

"Then why'd you come up here saying you were going to bed?"

"I needed time to think. Alone."

"About?"

"The vision I had on the plane. I needed to find a way to explain it to myself and to you."

"Me?"

"I lied about the vision."

"Why?"

"Because it was about Jordan," she replied looking up at Angel, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

"Oh my god, is something going to happen to her? Can we protect her?" Angel asked, pulling her into his wife into arms.

"No, there isn't anything we can do, " Cordelia replied shaking her head.

"Then what? What was the vision about then?"

Cordelia sat quietly for a moment in Angel's arms trying to find the strength to say the words out loud.

"She's the next slayer. The Powers want me to protect her until she's called," Cordelia exhaled slowly.

"Protect her?"

"She's in danger. People who know what she is already are looking for her and it's my job to watch over her," Cordelia sighed, looking back at the window.

"No offence Delia, but you?"

"I asked the Powers the same thing but they made it clear that I'm the one to do the job, and I can't tell Riley or Buffy."

"Why?" He asked, looking at the two empty cribs that sat across the room from him and feeling relieved that it wasn't one of the twins being called.

"I don't know that part yet but Angel if this was one of our girls, and Buffy was in my place, I know she would do whatever was in her power to care for them."

"But this isn't Buffy's child, Cordelia."

"No, but she will be whether you like it or not." Cordelia's dark eyes matched her husbands.

"Does he love her?" Angel asked her, hoping that Cordy had seen something in her vision that would help him accept this union.

"I believe he does, and yes, they will be together until her end."

"Her end?"

"Yes," Cordelia said burying her face in Angel's cool neck.