Family Reunion, Part One

"Family Reunion, Part One" was the eleventh issue of the Angel & Faith comic book series.

Synopsis
The issue begins with a knock on the door, and it is revealed that Willow had arrived, much to Angel's surprise. She says that Andrew had said that they needed help, and Angel explains that he just thought that she's call first. She admits that this seemed like a "non-call" kind of deal, and that that she was around anyway due to her quest to restore magic, which took her here. She greets Faith pleasantly, and they exchange some humorous, friendly banter until Lavinia and Sophie interrupt. They appear somewhat rude but upon seeing Willow, they seem to know her, describing her as "that lesbian witch from America." Willow tells Angel that she knows them from her time in Giles's estate in Bath, and that she's surprised there here but points out that she can forgive murder if it means getting the job done. However, Lavinia then reveals to Willow that Angel is going to bring back Giles.

Willow quickly rounds on him and Angel attempts to explain but Willow beats him to it, explaining that she had figured out his plan to bring Giles back but he can't do it with magic so he's using magic items linked to key events in his life in order to assemble his soul back together. The scythe being one of those magic items since he was holding it when he died. Willow then lauches a open tirade against Angel, coldly telling him that he's being stupid, reckless, selfish, and delusional if he thinks this will end in anything other than a disaster. Angel says nothing against her critizism of him, instead asking her if Buffy knows about her meeting with him in London. Willow reveals that she didn't tell Buffy she was here as she's been dealing with her own problems(pointedly telling Angel it was none of his business before he asked) and that she also didn't want Angel bringing back bad memories of what happened to Giles, pointing out that Buffy went through a lot when she was ressurrected. Angel points out that she was the one who ressurected her but she defends herself, explaining that Buffy didn't die a natural death and that was when magic still existed but none of them knew how much suffering they would cause, especially Buffy. Angel then tensely asks her if she regrets bringing Buffy back, and Willow forlornly says she never has but she isn't sure if Buffy feels the same way about it.

Angel, frustrated, feels as if Willow only came to critize him but Willow says she didn't and that as bad as she thinks it is, she'll help Angel bring back Giles because she needs him to help her bring magic back to the world and for that to happen, she needs the aide of Connor. Willow explains that she needs to go to a dimension that still has magic but all the portals are closed except Quor'toth which can be acessed by a tear in reality. She intends to use the scythe to do that but needs something steeped in the essence of Quor'toth as a compass which is why she needs Connor to help since he spent the first seventeen years of his life there. Willow asks Angel if he can help convince Connor to come along with her since she barely knows him. Faith(who had previously been listening to Willow and Angel arguing with an annoyed, bored expression until Connor was brought up) speaks up, telling her that Angel and Connor aren't exactly on good terms and Connor had finally stopped calling altogether when Angel kept ignoring them and that they don't even know where he is. Angel says that Connor's in school, has a girlfriend, and is for the most part, happy as he has someone to check up on him. Faith then appears annoyed and hurt that he didn't tell her any of this, but Angel shots back that it was a family matter and therefore none of her business, saying that Connor is better off without him.

Angel then rounds on Willow, telling her that she expects him to go to the son he's never been there for and ruin the life he has now by sending back him back to a hell dimension he was forced to grow up in, saying "Here I was ashamed to see you." showing great disgust at the suggestion. Willow is then furious at this, viciously slapping him, angerily saying "Don't you dare! Don't you dare try and say I'm like you. This is all your fault! Thinking you can fix things! Running blindly down any path that might lead to redemption! And your doing it again! Never worrying about the consequences until it's too late! You've ruined everything Angel!". She then quickly becomes more emotional, grabbing him by his shirt and continued talking, "Can't you see what were missing? How empty the world is? There hasn't been a decent song, movie or book, since we lost the seed! Suicide rates are spiking! All over the world people are losing hope! It's just starting! It only gets worse from here! The world's dying and nobody will admit it! I need to save it. There's nothing more important. Why doesn't anyone understand...?" Willow then bursts into tears and falls to her knees, distraught. Angel goes behind her and touches her shoulder, an attempt at comfort, gently saying that they'll find Connor and she can talk to him but it's his choice whether he wants to do it or not. Willow sullenly agrees to his terms. Angel then points out that Quor'toth is a dangerous dimension, but Willow, now more in control of herself, reassures him that she won't stay there long and she merely wants him to protect her from the demons in there while she soaks up the magic, and that Angel can have what's left of the scythe to bring back Giles. She points out that they both need help and are both trying to do something that everyone else thinks is crazy, bluntly stating, "Resent me all you want. And I'll go on resenting you. Later." Angel then grabs his coat and leaves, saying that he'll make arrangments and they'll leave tommorrow. Once Angel leaves, Faith comes to Willow and says there's someone she'd like her to see.

The scene then cuts to Nadira, fighting 6-7 Zompires. She get's caught from behind, almost getting killed but is saved by Faith, who dusts him from behind, informing her that zompires are purely feral and very strong, not much for talking. Nadira appears hostile towards her, insisting that she shouldn't expect her to thank her for saving her life. Faith accepts this, admitting that what she did to her before was stupid and wrong but she's not here to talk about that and points out anyway that there's someone she'd probably want to see. She angrily tries to say she doesn't want to see anyone but stops when she sees Willow stepping out of the car. Willow at first wonders if she really knew Nadira, but she immediately recognized her, mentioning that Willow was the one who healed her and saved her life when her squad was slaughtered. This jogs her memory, remembering the Azores, and Willow quickly reaches out and hugs her, showing sympathy and reasurance that everything will be fine again as Nadira starts to cry. It then cuts to a more public scene, a coffee shop with small crowds of people where Willow and Nadira have spent some time talking. Faith is not with them, prefering to give them some privacy and wait it out across the street. Eventually Faith turns to them and says that Willow has to go with her now but it doesn't mean she's giving up on finding Pearl and Nash. Nadira says it's alright, as Willow told her that it was really important but warns Faith that there's rumors that there planning something and she's not going to stop looking for them when she's away. Faith understands, and gives her advice that she should "slay with a buddy" and keep her in the loop of Nadira's actions.

They say goodbye and Willow and Faith head to a bus stop, Faith thanking Willow for talking to her but also asks if she managed to talk Nadira out of killing Angel. Willow regretfully says she hasn't and that they should stick to easier stuff like ressurrection and magic. Faith appears disapointed but says she's a good kid, just too many issues. Willow then teasingly says if Giles ever said 'I hope you get a slayer who acts just like you.', refering to the fact that Nadira is similar to Faith. She says he never did but he did tell her you can't bring someone back from a natural death, expressing her worries and fears if Angel can truly bring Giles back. Once the get on the bus, Willow admits that it could maybe work if magic was still around, but only for someone as immersed in magic as Giles's was but it's a lot more likely to end in disaster as magic always has a price and the higher the magic, the higher the price; now that there is no magic, he'll probably fail. Willow tells Faith Angel needs someone to stop him if things get bad and that's why she went along with it. Faith then expresses annoyance how everyone seems to decide that's her, but Willow says there's no one else but her. Faith then admits that what's bothering her is not only has he been hiding things from her, but also the way Angel acts about it. Everytime she had told him that Giles might come back a zombie or a soul in a rotting body, he dismisses it which gives her the impression that Angel is doing it for himself, not Giles. Willow admits she's not exactly the poster child for using magic responsibly, but what she doing is something completely different from what Angel's doing: It's to help fix what Buffy and Angel did and make the world better again, not some selfish magic addiction. It's for the world, not her.

Willow and Faith have returned and are back at Faith's house, the five of them(Angel, Willow, Faith, Lavinia, Sophie) are there and the three of them are packing to the airport for L.A. to retrieve Connor. Sophie and Lavinia are seen relaxing with their ipad and iphone. Faith asks Angel if they need weapons but Angel says Willow checked the scythe of as antique so it's not a problem. He then ask if Lavinia and Sophie will be alright alone but they reassure him they will be fine, and they soon depart to the airport. It cuts to standing in front of a International airport. Having nothing else to do, Willow reproachfully accuses Angel of letting everyone else die in creating the Twilight dimension, including his son Connor and them. Taken aback by the accusation, Angel appears annoyed, stating that wasn't it and they were going to bring everyone over there. Willow then appears wary, saying that Buffy never mentioned that to her. Angel points out it's hard to get a sentence in when Buffy's all worked up, and Willow, after some joking of what he said, sees the truth in that statement and leaves it at that, an awkward silence settling between the two. Once they were out of the airport, Faith and Willow are surprised at the reappearance of Gunn, but Angel isn't as he already knew they would met up. He greets Willow and Faith and then Angel, making a point of saying how ridiculous he looks when seeing the thing over his head. Angel states it's to keep out the sunlight, and they have some banter together until Gunn points out he has tinted windows and asks if they have checked bags, Willow replies, "Just a scythe."

They are then seen in Gunn's car, Angel and Willow riding in the back of it. Angel then asks how the others in L.A. are, and Gunn informs him that Kate is doing good, running the L.A.P.D as well as a new Supernatural unit, Illyria vanished somewhere but Gunns seems postive she's alright, he doesn't have to tell him what happened to Lorne since he already knows, and he hesitantly tells Angel his ex-girlfriend Nina got married but Angel doesn't seem bothered or jealous of it, genuinely saying that's good for her. Gunn them mentions that Connor should be getting out of his psych class right now and they stop and see Connor saying goodbye to a girl. Angel sees this and asks Gunn if that girl he's with is his girlfriend. Gunn says she is, going by the name of Natalie. She's apparently, according to Gunn, a majoring in social work and Connor has been dating her for three months. Seeing Connor with a life and happy, Angel begins to have second thoughts on his decision to bring Connor along and begins to tell Willow this, but she adamantly says no and that he can't back out of it now. Angel argues that Connor has his life together but Willow retorts that they flew across a ocean. However the argument is suddenly interrupted when Faith sees that Connor has disapeared. Connor then lands on top of the car, having seen it and sees Angel, commenting "Are you wearing a hoodie?", causing Angel to smile at him in amusement.

They are then seen out of the car and buying donuts. Connor tells Angel that he had been calling him and calling him for months but Angel had never answered. Eventually, he realized to leave him alone figuring he needed space and expresses his confusion and annoyance that he suddenly turns up now after months of not responding to his calls. Angel apologizes for confusing him but explains that his life is better without him in his life, and Connor is having this great, happy life without him. Angel meaningfully tells him he grew up to be an amazing man and that he couldn't be prouder of him, which promptly causes them to hug. Gunn, Willow, and Faith are seen watching from a distance. They are then seen inside a bar, Willow, Faith, and Gunn on on table, Connor and Angel at another, giving them privacy to talk. Faith humorously wonders out loud what is it about kids that makes people crazy. It cuts back to Connor and Angel talking. Connor explains he figured Angel was on another one of his guilt trips since he often is, but it still hurt that Angel had rejected his calls for so long. Angel again apologizes for putting it off, admitting it was wrong, but Connor interrupts, explaning he's not finished. He says that he's right. He has a great life here and even though it's early, his girlfriend Natalie is special. His place is here but he never wants Angel to hide from him ever. Angel says nothing, deciding to get more drinks. Seeing this opportunity she follows him, wanting to talk to Angel alone. They discuss Connor and how he's grown, which causes Angel to think he should have worked on being a better man than redemption to save the world. Serious now, Faith changes the subject, warning him not to sacrifice Connor to bring Giles back, and that she's here to make sure he's doing the right thing. Angel gets angry, insisting that Connor won't be sacrificed, stating that he already made up his mind to bring Giles back, and reminds Faith that not long ago, he had to stop her from choking her father to death, so she shouldn't be giving him parenting advice. Faith mulls over what Angel said and watches him retreat with the drinks to Connor until she turns away from him.

Once at the table, Angel gives the drinks to him. He asks Willow that he needs to talk to her, but Connor says he knows about the plan to go to Quor'toth and wants to come with. Angel immediately objects to it, but Willow points it that he said it was his choice. Angel argues that he doesn't want Connor to risk this normal life but he points out that he's seen what's been going on since the end of magic and like Willow said, people are losing hope and he needs to help. After some more arguing, Angel pleads with Gunn to help him but Gunn objects, claiming he doesn't mess with family disputes. Connor remains stubborn and adamant, insisting he can't stop him and he'll fail if he tries. Angel seems to give in a little, but points out Quor'toth is dangerous. Connor argues he was there as a kid and Angel shots back that was when Holtz was with him. Connor firmly states now he has his father and that everything will be fine.

Everyone is seen at the Hyperion Hotel where Willow is cutting huge marks in Connor's chest with the scythe standing inside a mystical circle on the floor, causing Connor to look in pain. Angel sees this and attempts to stop it but is held back by Gunn and Faith. Gunn warns him that breaking the circle now would be a bad idea, but Angel anxiously says she's killing him. Willow shakily says she didn't know it would be like this but Connor reassures them that he's fine, the cuts hurt but their not deep and asks if she's almost done. Still a little shaky, Willow stutters all that's left is the incantation and Connor is seen relieved, saying that the only thing he's dying from is suspense. Willow then smiles at him, admitting that he is an amazing guy and that even though it's not magic, everyone should keep their fingers crossed. After shouting out the incantation of "NYAR VRESH QUOR'TOTH!", a the place lights up and causes a tear in the reality, the entrance to Quor'toth.

Everyone is shown surprised, even Willow but she quickly says the portal closes in thirty hours and that they should hurry up now. She asks Gunn if he can stand guard alone and he agrees, saying that even though half of them have superpowers, there really going to need them if half of what Connor says is true. When Gunn tries to bring weapons, Connor says no as technology and guns won't work there. Connor then turns to Angel, pleading with him to not have this conversation again. Angel says they won't but tells him if anything goes incredibly bad he is to retreat back through the portal, that is non-negotiable. Connor replies that he can live with that.

They grab their swords and Willow gets the scythe, everyone now standing in the circle. Angel then tells Connor "Then, come on, son. Time I saw where you grew up."

Continuity
The story was set after "Daddy Issues", but before "TBA".

Individuals

 * Angel
 * Faith Lehane
 * Connor
 * Willow Rosenberg
 * Lavinia Fairweather
 * Sophronia Fairweather
 * Nadira
 * Charles Gunn
 * Natalie
 * Rupert Giles
 * Kate Lockley
 * Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan
 * Nina Ash
 * Illyria
 * Buffy Summers
 * Daniel Holtz

Species

 * Vampire
 * Human

Locations

 * London
 * Los Angeles
 * Hyperion Hotel

Collections

 * Family Reunion