Fiction DA41- Anything For You

Chapter Forty-one
Anything For You



Angel returned to the apartment, absently rubbing his neck. After changing Eva’s diaper, he’d returned to their bedroom to find Max sound asleep. He’d showered and returned to work, already calculating just when Max might be in the mood again. It was hard to keep his mind on the case file that Cordy had handed him. But no one seemed to mind. They were all basking in the happiness that Max, Angel and Eva were more than willing to spread around. After all, a happy boss was no longer a threat to their little family. So Angel wasn’t quite sure what to expect when he was done shuffling papers. Cordy had had no visions for them to act upon. Gunn and Fred were chatting idly and Wes was immersed in whatever point of interest occurred to him about Eva’s conception.



What Angel really didn’t expect was to find a harried Max trying to juggle a crying baby in one arm and pour something into a bottle with the other. She glanced up in relief and passed Eva to him. "What are you doing?" he asked, trying to keep the hint of exasperation out of his voice. It wasn’t like Max to let Eva cry for too long when she was hungry. Max turned back to her task at the counter.



"I bought a breast pump today," she explained, gesturing at the baby bottle.



"I can see that," Angel nodded. "Why?" he asked a little louder, to be heard over the babies cries. He rubbed Eva’s back, but it certainly wasn’t calming her down.



"Couple reasons," Max shrugged. She looked close to tears herself, listening to the baby. "One, I was getting tired of showing off my assets in a new and unusual way. Two, I thought you might like to feed her. And three," she paused and sighed. This was the toughest and most practical thing pushing her. And admitting it hurt. "Three, we still know nothing about Sandeman. I think we need to be prepared for every eventual possibility. And that includes being… separated from our child. Even if it’s just to keep her safe."



Angel softened visibly. He secured the baby against his chest, then wrapped his free arm around her waist and squeezed. She leaned into him for a moment, before screwing the nipple onto the bottle. She turned, and with a tremulous smile, handed the half-full eight-ounce bottle to him. "I love you," he whispered. "And we’ll do everything we can to prevent that."



"Why don’t you take her in the nursery," she suggested, running her hand down Eva’s back. "She knows I’m here and she won’t want the bottle if I’m nearby."



"Good idea." He hurried along, not wanting to make this tougher on any of them. He could see what the simple idea was doing to Max and Eva wasn’t making it any better. So he settled himself comfortably in the rocking chair, shifting the baby in his arms. He smiled wistfully as he remembered doing this with Connor. But he pushed those thoughts away as he coaxed the baby into accepting the unnatural method of sustenance. It took them a while, but she finally seemed to get the hang of it, even though she tended to gum the bottle more than she normally would. Finally Angel relaxed enough to beginning talking to her.



"That’s right baby," he encouraged as she greedily sucked. "Not as good as Mommy, but it’ll do." He pulled her up a little to kiss her forehead. "I really don’t like having to do this. But your Mom did have a good point. I know she’d do anything for you. And so will I sweetheart." Without thought, he braced his feet and pushed gently, setting the rocking char into motion. Once she was done, he pulled the bottle from her lips, noting with satisfaction that she’d managed to drink most of what Max had donated. He set the bottle on the convenient change table and pulled a cloth out to drape over his shoulder. With ease, he rearranged her again and settled into the next part of the routine. When he was satisfied that there were no more gas bubbles roaming her tummy, he settled her against his chest and kept rocking. It was their favorite position. He watched her eyes drifting shut as he continued to croon in her ear, just rambling.



"I think I finally get this whole being a parent thing,’ he mused out loud. "Didn’t get much of a chance with Connor. He was here and gone and then here again. And I tried to be a good dad. But I just had no idea how. So I gave him up. But I don’t want that to happen with us baby girl. Oh no. I’m going to be here, every single day. I’m going to be the kind of daddy every little girl dreams of. Because I love you so much more than I had ever thought possible. Just like I love Connor. And your Mom." His head fell back, the motion of the rocking chair lulling him deeper into his musings.



"Your Mom would give up everything just to keep you safe," he continued. "I would too." He stroked a gentle finger down her downy soft cheek. Her lips twitched in response and he held back a joyous laugh. His little one had no expectations of him, but that would change. She’d want him to play with her, go out with her, take her to school, mend all her little hurts. Tears nearly came to his eyes as he realized once again that he wouldn’t be able to be all the things he promised. Unless…



"I think this is it sweetheart," he mumbled. "I get it. All these years, with people saying my Shanshu was my redemption. But they were wrong. I found redemption in Mommy and you. And that Shanshu might just be one of the ways I get to enjoy it. And I promise you now Eva, I swear I will do everything in my power to become human again. Because there is no way I am going to miss out on your life. I will do anything for you and Mommy." He swept a kiss on top of her head and she continued to slumber through his vow.



He slowed the motion of the rocking chair and carefully stood, intending to settle Eva into her crib. He smiled as he felt the warmth the little body was creating in the center of his chest. He had always forgotten how warm Connor had been. A smile tugged on his lips. He hadn’t been this happy for so many years now. He nudged back the light sheet and leaned forward to set the baby down. He pulled up the sheet, tucking it around her expertly. But a frown soon replaced the lightheartedness he felt. Usually, once he’d pulled Eva away, he could feel the separation by the rapid cooling of his body. Only this time, it seemed to be spreading. He stumbled back a few steps, his mind racing.



And then the pain hit. Burning him from the inside out. He gasped and panted against the inferno of sensations stabbing everywhere along his flesh. He tightened up every muscle, pushing against the onslaught. It took every ounce of his willpower. "Max!" he screamed. But it was all he could manage then.



Max had been repacking the diaper bag, contemplating Cordy’s earlier teasing about babysitters. He knew her friend was hoping to get in a few hours of Eva spoiling very soon. And Max appreciated it, she really did, but she wasn’t ready to be away from the baby yet. She dropped the bottle she was holding when Angel screamed her name. And just as quick, Eva’s piercing shriek joined in. She whirled around, flying across the apartment, her heart pounding. Something was threatening her baby and mate. But slamming the door open, all she could see in the dimmed lamp light was Angel, in the center of the room, holding his stomach, seemingly in pain. Max drew in a deep breath of relief, when her senses picked up no intrusion in the room.



"Angel? What is it?" she asked breathlessly, moving forward. He began to crumple to the floor, but she caught him and lowered him down. She was scared suddenly. Never having seen him like this. She glanced towards the crib, needing to check the baby. But after being startled from sleep, the baby’s cries had lowered in volume, just not necessity.



He gasped again, trying to warn her. "Run," he grunted through the searing in his chest.



"Run?" she repeated, dumbfounded. Her mind raced. Was it the Sandeman? Doing something sinister to him? "What is it Angel? Who’s doing this?" she demanded, her voice shriller than normal.



"A-angelus," he groaned, collapsing on the floor completely. Max, stunned, scrambled back from him. While having no first hand knowledge of Angel’s evil alter ego, she certainly had no wish to take him on. Especially with a baby in the room. Her head snapped around as she finally put it all together. He was trying to warn her that Angelus was somehow coming to the surface and she needed to protect their child. She jumped up to scoop the crying child from the crib. She ran from the room as if hellhounds were on her heels. She paused only to grab the car seat waiting by the front door, before getting the hell out of Dodge.



Cordy was nearly done the filing she’d set herself to doing before heading home. She smiled over at the others. Giles had wandered down from his room and had joined Wes. All four of them were arguing theory and probabilities now. It all stemmed from Eva’s birth and they all seemed to be enjoying the debate. She was about to suggest that they wrap it up though, when Max burst through the basement door.



"Run!" she yelled. The others jumped to their feet awkwardly, glancing about for the new threat. She threw the car seat on the table before them and Gunn automatically reached out to steady it. Max lowered Eva into it and deftly strapped her in. She covered the still screaming baby with the blanket they kept with it. Giles reached for Max, grasping her elbow. Max noticed that the tingle was still there. One saving grace in this new battle.



"What is it?" Giles demanded. "What’s going on? Is it Sandeman? Where’s Angel?" Max shook her head.



"Not Angel," she whimpered. "Angelus." The reaction was instantaneous. By themselves they would have taken a moment to ascertain things, possible gather weapons and attack head on. All in hopes to rescue their friend. But now there was a baby in the mix. Their first responsibility was to Eva.



"Let’s go!" Wes thundered grabbing Fred’s arm. They hurried around the table. Cordy was already racing for the door as Gunn hauled the car seat as gently, but as quickly as possible. Giles tightened his grip on Max, but she refused to move.



"Max, let’s go," he ordered, but she was already shaking her head.



"I’m the only one who has a chance," she explained swiftly. "If I can’t stop him, I can at least slow him down." He stared at her, hating the idea, but understanding the reasons all the same. His heart broke a little. It was a sacrifice he’d have made himself, but he knew Max was right. And her next words cemented their decision. "Daddy, keep her safe. Please, she’s all that matters." Her luminous eyes pleaded with him and he was nodding before he realized it.



"Anything for you Max," he whispered. "Be careful," he admonished, hugging her quickly. "I love you."



I love you too," she cried, then pushed him away. "Go now!"



Max watched as her father raced out the door, hopping into the waiting vehicle. And then they were gone. She forced her breathing to slow. She reached deep within herself, needing to remain calm. Now was not the time to be Max. Within seconds X5-452 had emerged and was stalking her prey. 


For Love Of Eva