__The Man In The Shadows__
By Dana
He watched him from afar admiring the way his boy killed all of his enemies with such mastery, such grace. He tried to be humble but he
knew there was a big part of him that made up the young man his son had become. In all of his many years on earth, some years spent in a
hell dimension, he never knew he could feel so much pride and love for one person. He often went out at night after his child but never
let him know he was there watching. He wanted to hold on to him badly but it was too late for that. The boy was a man now and had a
destiny far greater then either of them could probably imagine.
"I know you're there" the young man said. A tall, dark figure stepped out of the shadows. He couldn't see the face but he knew who it was.
He hadn't seen him since that night and thought he would have surely left town after the incident. All he knew at this point was he didn't
like the fact his son and Pryce knew each other.
"Connor…"
"My name is Stephen." His boy turned around to the other man and violently threw him up against the wall. "I told you never to call me
that name. I want an apology."
"Your name is Connor but I will respect your wishes." Wesley said and Stephen relaxed his hold on Wesley. The man in the shadows watching
the scene couldn't help but shake his head. Wesley Wyndham-Pryce was perhaps the cockiest man he had ever met. He would never apologize
for anything even if his life depended on it but he would always be polite.
Stephen looked at Wesley's neck probably staring at the scar that was carved by Justine. "I hate that he did this to you." He could see
Stephen's hand reach up to touch the mark on Wesley but Wesley pushed his hand away.
"Actually, it was someone else." He couldn't see it but he knew that Wesley's blue eyes were intensely gazing into his son. He wanted to
run in and stop this scene because for some reason it didn't feel right.
"He's not the one who took the knife to your throat but he was the cause of it… of everything." Stephen's voice was strong but the father
knew he was holding back the tears. "My father said you were a good man, a loyal man, just lost. It doesn't seem fair why such a good man
like you should be alone deserted by everyone he cared about it. I grew up in a hell dimension but at least I had my father. Angel just
ruins everything for everyone." He knew his son wasn't holding back the tears anymore.
"Shhh… Stephen…" Wesley wiped away his tears and pulled him in for a tender kiss that rapidly grew into a more passionate union. The
father ran away just as the kiss was starting. He felt sick. How could his son have such low, carnal feelings. This wasn't normal and
certainly not something a person of decency would ever have thoughts of doing. He couldn't imagine how his son could give into such a
lecherous temptation. It suddenly hit him then. Of course he would be like that, that wasn't his son. It was Angelus' son. No matter what
good was found in Stephen nothing could change he came from two vampires. He should be amazed that any good could be found in Stephen.
Holtz realized he should be relieved. Any guilt he had for using the young man in his plans against Angel were lifted. It wasn't his son.
* * *