Connor settled the boys in their older selves’ room, with strict instructions not to break anything.

As an afterthought he hit the controls on the panel beside a large picture on the wall opposite the bed. Like in his own room, it rose to reveal an enormous screen.

Two little boys, now perched on the end of Spike and Xander’s enormous bed, sat wide eyed as Connor fiddled with the remote, finally finding one of the fifteen ‘for children’ channels in English offered by the global networks.

An ancient rerun of the film ‘Mary Poppins’ was playing. Connor groaned, but turning toward the bed, noting that the two little fellows were instantly enthralled. Particularly William, though Connor could immediately smelt fear rolling from the boy. He sidled up beside William’s side of the bed and put his protective adult arm around the little lad.

“You OK with this?”

William’s replied in a whisper, “Can they get out of the wall?” Then yelped with fear and immediately buried his face in Connor’s chest (with teddy pulled tight too), as the movie depicted the Admiral’s gun firing its shot to mark the hour. The surround sound gave the experience a rather overwhelming reality for young William, who barely managed to peep over Connor’s protective arm to view the ensuing scene.

In contrast, Xander was whooping with joy at the ‘movie experience'. It was even better than when his Aunt Agnes had taken he and his mom to the Care Bears Movie for his fourth birthday! But he paused, mid third ‘whoop’ as he noted his new little friend’s distress.

He carefully set Panda up to keep watching, while he crawled over the bed to where William was trembling in Connor’s arms. Xander could see that Will had his bear with him, but also noted that the blonde was not watching the movie.

He knew that feeling.

Willow’s older cousin David had been in town and was given the task of looking after them for a night while Willow’s folks went out for a meal. They had seen ET on video, causing Xander to be so frightened that he needed the light on all night and in the end David searching for (and finding) the infant’s feeding bottle at the back of the cupboard. Their lovely carer David filling the comfort bottle with warm milk and pushing it into Xander’s grateful hands some time around midnight. (David careful to strike a deal – Xander would join Willow in sleep in exchange for David not telling anyone about the bottle).

Xander didn’t remember it as all bad. David was big and strong and gave his young charges all the reassurance they needed at the time. He looked hopefully at Connor.

Concerned brown eyes met adult blue, “Is Will OK? ‘cause he can have Panda as well if he needs to, I seed this movie afore lots of times an’ *really* like the horses an’ the kites.”

“Thanks sweetie but I think it’s OK. Will just hasn’t seen TV or movies before.”

Xander’s eyes widened in shock… No TV??? Inconceivable!

Connor saw the amazement and worry in the face of the little boy, so simply included Xander in the hug, and they sat for a while. As the Mary Poppins, the new nanny, arrived on the scene in the movie, William sat up and focused hard on the screen, before turning back to Connor to announce with pride, “*My* nanny’s much prettier than her and real name’s Nancy…” then added in a conspiratorial whisper, “She told me that when we were at the park!”

William saw bits of London that he knew – though the hats the men were wearing were odd, as were the dresses the Mary Nanny wore (Nancy *never* had *her* ankles showing!). But the household was rather familiar and Connor felt little William finally relax.

He eased himself away and grabbed the pillows and cushions to construct a back rest for the boys. Both little fellows were utterly engaged in watching the movie, so did not even give him a passing glance as he handed Xander 'Panda', then watched as William clutched his bear tighter, before the thumb unconsciously made its way back to the little boy’s mouth as a rather ‘scary’ part came up.

…………..

Connor thought he would find Anton in the study room but instead he found him wandering in the conservatory, cell phone planted firmly to his right ear and speaking in rapid Italian. The Immortal noticed his Childe and beckoned him forward. He took him in a warm one armed hug, whilst concluding his conversation with a number of rather abrupt instructions.

Connor returned the embrace and looked up into the calm visage as Anton finished an obviously emotional phone call.

“Is everything OK, Sire?” And in that moment, Connor really did feel like a young Childe and realized just how comfortable he was in the Immortal’s embrace. Anton felt like stability and home… in every way… ‘Sire’… and another part of Connor was reconciled.

“It’s not really, dear Childe, but I am hopeful it will be soon. It seems that Wolfram and Hart in Paris and in Rome were not directly to blame for the debacle with the Fl’aath – indeed are as distressed as we are that this obsessive dead middle manager for the senior partners has, in the process of targeting you, compromised the entire balance of the region. The repercussions, if the outcome of this ridiculous wraith/woman’s plot cannot be redressed, will have a ripple effect worldwide that will seriously damage the Senior Partners and Wolfram and Hart for years.

“Needless to say – they were quite pleased that we have the children safely home here – but Senior Partners are apparently still tight lipped regards the movements of or their intentions for their renegade employee Ms Morgan. The Italian office is attempting to contact them. In the meantime we will need to be vigilant.”

Connor saw the concern and knew that it was not just the boys at risk – it was a balance of power, stability, prosperity, for not just themselves but all those living under the jurisdiction of the ruling couple.

“O…K… but surely the reversal…” Connor was cut off before finishing.

“Is not a possibility at this time, and even if the spell is found, The High Wiccan Lady Willow is adamant it is still best performed at the full moon, which has just passed.”

“But the court…?”

“… will survive with your guidance and my assistance until then, as will the business interests of our family.” Anton pulled the worried Connor in for a reassuring hug before briefing the High Master’s full blood brother on a few matters that needed attending to urgently.

Connor was a fast study and Anton was quietly relieved as he observed the well educated and poised Connor managing a number of difficult clan issues with thoughtful competence. He certainly was not the High Master, but Anton could see that the choice to pull Connor back to his Aurelian family was the right one.

Connor was pouring over some of the documents regarding the Aurelian interests globally – increasingly amazed by the comprehensive spread and extraordinarily well managed complexity. Anton was just finishing a brief phone call to Buffy in Italy when Gregor arrived at the door.

“Beg pardon Masters but I thought the children might be ready for some late lunch.”

Both Anton and Connor looked a little guilty. They had been so engrossed in the current concerns of the Court and the Aurelian interests (plus Xander’s building industry responsibilities), that they had all but forgotten the little lads upstairs. It was over two hours since they had been left to their own devices.

Connor thanked Gregor, nodded at Anton who gave him a kindly smile, then took off up the stairs now desperately worried regards the two small boys and his lack of attentiveness.

What he found was a little unexpected. The television was still on but the two lads were sitting on the floor with their backs to the entertainment.

It was apparent that the two lads had migrated onto the floor a significant time before Connor's arrival, and were now happily drawing pictures for each other. Little William had obviously found a few pieces of writing parchment, and some sketching pencils in the bureau next to the right of the television. It was obvious that the blonde boy had clambered onto a chair to obtain said prizes. Though Connor noted with some relief that Spike’s Mont Blanc granite & diamond fountain pen, the laptop, and various very breakable antique pieces remained untouched.

William looked up rather apologetically but Xander positively flinched away as Connor approached the boys. As Connor squatted down to the boys’ level and moved closer, Xander whimpered a little and moved behind William, beginning a mantra of, “We didn’t we really…, ‘cause the show was over and we… we… I…”

Connor saw fear, then could not fail to notice the smaller blonde’s resolute face and hand snaking behind to touch his distressed friend, before William noticeably swallowed and stood to look Connor bravely in the eye.

“I got the things down Sir. I know you said we shouldn’t touch anything, but the people in the box finished after the kites and usually nanny lets me draw if cook is late with…” William’s eyes suddenly went wide as he seemed to come to some inner conclusion, before continuing with quiet stoicism, “Please don’t punish Xander any more. He is ever so hungry, and it’s my fault we touched the drawing things.”

It was Connor’s turn to look surprised and more than a little distressed. He opened his arms and waited while two rather worried little boys sat riveted, unable to decide what was afoot. Connor patiently waited whilst explaining in low tones, “I am *so* sorry! We didn’t mean to leave you so long. We are both sorry. Anton and I… well, we just got caught up with some… matters of business and… Gregor has organized a lovely meal for us all… You did the right thing William – a lovely thing. Can you show me your drawings?”

Both four year olds grabbed their art from the floor and dove into arms that were both welcoming and reassuring, and proceeded to explain their illustrations. Connor could not help but notice William’s beautiful script even for a child twice his age, his initials perfectly penned in the bottom right hand corner of his picture and the word “Wills kit” at the middle top. The little blonde enthusiastically explained that this was his “best drawing of the kite and the people ever”. Connor smiled at the round bodies and enormous faces, with hands and feet in stick formation, but did not fail to notice that little Xander waited quietly, looking rather forlorn on Connor’s other knee.

Connor noted the withdrawal, “Can I see yours?”

Xander failed to look up simply thrusting Connor a paper crumpled in a tiny fist.

Connor opened the page and smoothed it a little. Xander’s signature was a series of scribbles and his people were little more than blobs with expressions, fingers and toes. What struck Connor was the angry/sad looks on the faces of the people, then noticed off to the right side - another blob. It was much larger than the rest and was smiling a broad grin and seemed to be carrying something, another large scribbled ball.

“Who’s this?”

“My Aunt Agnes, and this is her cat John. She’s like the lady who fed the birds and she’s nice and brings me candy for Christmas. My dad is scary like the one in the movie.”

“It’s a lovely picture Xander!”

The little lad let out a breath he had been holding and looked so relieved that Connor gave the two a warm hug. Finally released Xander pushed the page toward Connor’s chest, “You can have it ‘f ya want.” Almost begging, chocolate ‘puppy’ eyes looked up at their guardian from under impossibly long lashes.

“I would love to… and can I have yours too, William? We can put them up somewhere so everyone can see them.”

It seemed crisis over. Connor gentled the two up to standing, tucked the two pictures under his arm then held hands with the two and proceeded down to a delicious (if somewhat late) lunch on the breakfast patio. The only glitch being the need to find extra cushions for the boys so they could reach the table.

Anton joined them after a short delay and the lunch was swiftly followed by a short adventure on the quad bikes, William in between Anton’s strong legs and Xander riding with Connor. The half hour drive to various spots on the property finished at the stables where a surprise awaited the two young boys.

A pint sized pony was standing, already saddled and ready with a young woman controlling him, bridle in hand. She did a slight curtsey as the adults entered then addressed the group.

“Bonjour Monsieur Anton, Monsieur Connor, je suis Chantelle et c'est Fusée.”

Anton answered in perfect French, thanking the girl for her services – and her pony’s - at such short notice, then introduced the boys.

William said a shy but polite “Bonjour Mademoiselle”, while Xander mumbled a “H’llo” as he stood transfixed by the sight of the rather stocky black pony.

Connor squatted down in front of the brunette, “You ready for a ride Xander?”

“But… but… it will cost too much and… and… I can just watch if you want… it’s OK I can just watch.”

Connor pulled the little boy in for another protective hug. “It’s OK Xan, the pony is here just for you and William. Chantelle has brought him over just for you, and she will lead you if you would like a ride?”

Xander nodded and tiny voice said “Yes please”, into Connor’s shoulder, before the destroyer heard “Can Will ride wiv me?”’

An hour later Chantelle had the pony’s lead in hand and was on her own horse. The last part of the afternoon was spent with her leading Rocket and his two tiny riders (resembling red topped mushrooms in their rather oversized riding helmets) all the way to the bottom of the property and back. Other than the bit, saddle and the lead to the other horse, the pony might as well have been simply exercising for all the weight he was carrying.

Upon their return, Chantelle was engaged three afternoons a week for ‘Kindergarten riding lessons’ followed by a bit of ‘hacking’ on the property. Initially it was for two weeks – with an option to continue. Connor saw the flicker of a worried expression pass over Anton’s face as Chantelle agreed to the conditions, the Destroyer knew full well that they were no closer to changing the boys back and that the option looked likely to be needed.

Later that evening, following supper, a bath and story (courtesy of an ancient volume of Faerie Tales by Brothers Grimm – happily translated ‘on the fly’ from German into English by Anton), the situation was brought into sharper relief. Anton raised the need for a Nanny.

Connor was shocked then relieved to find that his new ‘Sire’ had already engaged one of the local wiccans. She came highly recommended and was to arrive the following day along with Willow. The senior witch wishing to be on site to ensure the boys’ safety and determine any particulars that may have been missed regards the regression spell.

As Willow and the young Stephanie arrived, Anton and Connor received the news that the Fl’aath eggs had both hatched successfully and two beautiful new male Fl’aath had emerged to aging but relieved parents.

…………………

Lilah was livid, one of the Senior Partners had the audacity to chastise her for her obsession with Angel(us), but she *knew* her focus on the vampire – and his line - would bring the Partners dividends… Why couldn’t they realize that!??

There was a yellow slip under the door when she rose that morning. “Dear Ms Morgan, Your current focus on the vampiric ruling line of Europe is misplaced. The need for balance defines our future. You must cease and desist your pursuit of the inheritors of the Aurelian line.

Should you choose to persist in your vendetta, we will find you duties in alternative… dimensions that would perhaps better suit your nature. Have a nice day, T.S.P.”

Lilah took the memo, screwed it up, and threw it into the shredder. The whirring sound gave her a boldness that would perhaps have been best spent on reorganizing her shoe cupboard, nevertheless…

She immediately employed a number of contractors and gathered them on the eighth day following the bungled warlock incident, “I want those two little bastards in our custody by the end of today. Kill anyone who gets in your way.”

Two Wolfram and Hart mercenaries looked at each other with concern. They had done their research, the entire Paris branch knew of the manifesto from the Senior Partners and there was no indication that the Senior Partners were backing the venture.

Just before they were to move out, their own commanding officer, Jean, pulled them aside and was adamant. They were to do as Mlle Morgan asked, however their instructions from the Senior Partners’ liaison in Paris was clear- take the assignment from her, and keep track of the Mlle Morgan and her plans, but under no circumstances injure the small boys currently on her agenda, or any of the ruling line – particularly the Immortal!

Lilah’s instructions were clear. “Capture them and kill anyone who gets in your way.”

The young captain neither nodded nor denied the order, simply indicating to his men to move out. Lilah was almost bouncing with glee. Soon the Senior Partners would see just what she was capable of when she worked independently.