When a God-King Falls in Love
by Louise

SUMMARY: Is possible that Illyria is falling in love for Wesley? Crossover with Firefly.

RATING: FRT [A] [AU]

DISCLAIMER: None of the characters mentioned in this piece of fiction belong to me. They belong to the cast and crew of Angel, especially Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt, Mutant Enemy and Fox.

DISTRIBUTION: Permission granted to WNW,Wesley Fiction, Fanfiction Net , Inevitable (http://pylea.no-angel.org/fredwes) and Private Poetry Reading (http://poetry.no-angel.org). If anyone else wants to archive it, please let me know.

FEEDBACK: Very much appreciated. Please e-mail me at poetry@no-angel.org

PAIRING: Wes/Fred , Wes/Illyria

SPOILER: "Origin" to "Not Fade Away"

DEDICATION: To Lara for beta reading this fan fiction and helping me with my English and to the girls at Wesley/Fred Survivors and Winifred_Wesley. You girls rock!

TRANSLATIONS:

Ge ge - big brother
Whai - Hey
Mei mei - little sister

HISTORIAN'S NOTE: The story begins after Wesley and Illyria follow Angel and Connor to Vail's mansion where Connor kills Sahjhan in "Origin".

Illyria: Why are we here?
Wes: As I told you, Illyria, Angel made some deal with Wolfram & Hart to change our memories of the past. I need to find out what is going on.
Illyria: I do not understand.
Wes: You don't have to.

Hidden, they observe Angel, who is watching Connor fight Sahjhan until they notice Vail holding the Orlon Window.

Wes: Illyria. Freeze time.
Illyria: Why?
Wes: It's the only away for me to take that thing that Vail is holding. I have a feeling that it has something to do with all this.

Illyria freezes time, and Wesley takes the Window of Orlon from Vail's hands.

When Angel turns to face Vail, he sees that the sorceror is frozen in time and isn't holding the box anymore. Looking around the room, he sees Illyria standing there beside Wesley, who's now holding the glowing yellow cube.

Wesley: You changed the world.

Wesley and Illyria glare at Angel.

Angel: Wes...what are you doing?
Wes: You sold us out to Wolfram & Hart.
Angel: Be careful.

Wes looks at the glowing cube in his hand.

Wes: Is this your 30 pieces of silver?
Angel: Wes...give me that.

When he tries to approach Wesley, Illyria backhands him, sending him flying across the room. He slides across the floor to a stop.

Illyria: He doesn't follow you any longer.
Wes: You changed the world.
Angel: He's my son, Wesley. Connor's my son.

At this, Wesley looks back at Illyria.

Wes: Did you trade her? Did you trade Fred for your son?
Angel: What?
Wes: Everything that's happened since we took over Wolfram & Hart, everything that's happened to-her... Did you know? Was Fred the price?
Angel: No. Wes... I can explain. Just put that down.
Wes: Why are you so afraid of this? He said it would bring back the past. Will it undo what you've done?
Angel: No. It won't bring her back.
Wes: Let's find out.

When he motions like he's going to throw the glass cube to the ground, Angel rushes toward him, a desperate look on his face.

Angel: No! Please. You have to trust me.
Wes: I can't. Not anymore.

Wesley slams the glass cube into the ground. As it shatters, the cube releases an explosion of bright yellow light, sending everyone in the room back from the blast.

The Orlon Window has just been broken, restoring the memories of those nearby. The force of the magic knocked everyone to the ground. Wesley, his past memories now available to him, stares at Angel in shock and dismay.

The next day in Wolfram & Hart:

Wesley returns to Wolfram & Hart with Illyria following him as always. He heads to Fred's lab to retrieve some papers, and when he's not looking, Illyria takes another piece of Petri dish and puts it in her mouth. Wesley saves her right in time, keeping her from choking.

Wes: I already told you to not eat this!
Illyria: But is so beautiful and shiny. And it looks delicious.
Wes: You act like a child. You can't eat this unless you want to die choking.
Illyria: You are angry. Are you still mad at Angel because what he did? Because he changed our memories, including Fred's?
Wes: I don't know. He had a reason for what he did. He was acting in the best interest of his son.
Illyria: Like you thinking it was the best kidnapping him?

She cocks his head, considering him for a moment.

Wes: Well... It was better this way.
Illyria: And something changed?
Wes: I don't know. Come on. We have to go back. I have to go back to my office, and you have a training session with Spike.
Illyria: Good. I have a surprise for him.

She smiles while Wesley leaves for his office. Illyria goes to talk to Harmony, who gives her something. Illyria then heads to the training room to wait for Spike, who comes in a few minutes later.

Illyria: I was waiting for you, half-breed!
Spike: Let's finish this already! I have to break you in some way! And I need to do this soon to write on my bloody clipboard!
Illyria: I have a surprise for you!
Spike: Really, luv? What's that?

Illyria opens her hand and has a black leather collar with some silvers spikes.

Illyria: When I told you I wanted to keep you as my pet I was not jesting!
Spike: What the bloody hell is that?
Illyria: Your collar. That female half-breed who works here gave it to me. Now, kneel on the floor while I put it around your neck.
Spike: I won't put on any bloody collar!!!
Illyria: Silence, or I will cut out your tongue for being so insolent!
Spike: You'll put on that bloody collar only over my dead body. And only when I don't come back!
Illyria: You know I love to hit you, Spike. You make some funny noises.
Spike: Funny noises? This is pain I feel, you harlot!
Illyria: So… Let us see how much more you can handle.

Illyria follows Spike around the room, trying to put the collar on his neck. Spike tries to resist, and when she starts to hit him, he hits her back.

Later, Wesley comes into the room to see how the training is going. Spike is leaving the room, wearing the collar that Illyria has managed to put on him. Wesley looks at him, very confused.

Spike: Don't ask!

He leaves to head for Harmony's desk to complain to her about the collar she gave to Illyria. Wesley, meanwhile, enters in the room to find that Illyria is smiling.

Illyria: I put that collar on Spike. He made a lot of noise while trying to resist. But I did it. He is my pet now!
Wes: Ahn… Great … I think!

In Angel's office, Spike enters without announcing, still rubbing his neck though he has finally taken off the collar. He is still holding his clipboard with the report about Illyria, which he throws on Angel's desk.

Spike: Hey, Angel. I brought my report about Illyria.
Angel: Great. And how is the training going?
Spike: She is bloody hard to break, but I will.
Angel: Great.
Spike: And you, mate? Something new?
Angel: Nothing. I'm thinking of a way to break Gunn out of the holding dimension.
Spike: You have any ideas?
Angel: Nothing. I can't thinking of anything that could work!
Spike: Have you already spoken to Hamilton?
Angel: No, and I won't. I don't trust him.
Spike: You don't trust in anyone, mate!
Angel: I did. In Cordelia, In Fred. But they're dead.
Spíke: Yeah. But we still have Wesley and Lorne here to help you. And don't forget about me. We can't be friends anymore, but it's all you have now, Angel. We'll help you get Gunn out there. Sooner or later.
Angel: I hope so!

Back to the training room, Wes and Illyria are still talking.

Wes: How are you, Illyria?
Illyria: I don't know. I'm not sure. I feel weird. This time is strange and confusing. In my time, I had minions who obeyed any order of mine. Now, nobody worships me, and nobody does what I say. It is very frustrating.

Blue eyes baby's got blue eyes
Like a deep blue sea
On a blue blue day
Blue eyes baby's got blue eyes
When the morning comes
I'll be far away
And I say

Blue eyes holding back the tears
Holding back the pain
Baby's got blue eyes
And she's alone again

(Blue Eyes - Elton John)

Wesley starts to laugh hysterical.

Wes: Yes… I believe it is. But you aren't king of anything here. So, it will better if you change your attitude.
Illyria: Is everybody moody around here? I do not understand.
Wes: Gunn is still in the holding dimension. We are trying to get off him out there, but it is very hard. We can't think of a way…
Illyria: And this is important to you?
Wes: Yes. Despite everything that has happened, he is still my friend, and I want to get him out there. But I don't know how.
Illyria: So… If you could…. You want him freed? Because you still like him?
Wes: Yes.
Illyria: It's all I need to know.

Illyria opens a portal and disappears from the room…

Wes: Illyria?

Wes runs from the training room and up to Angel's office…

Wes: Angel… We have a problem!
Angel: What happens? Let me guess. Illyria!
Wes: Yes…
Angel: What did she do this time?

In the holding dimension, Illyria opens the portal in the subdivision where Gunn has been "living". Going through several of the houses in search of them, she is attacked by the people there, but she defends herself, destroying a lot of cars and houses.

Illyria: And they think they can challenge me. Pathetic creatures!

As a fire roars in the furnace in the background, the demon dungeon master commences with his daily torture of Gunn, who is strapped to a table with his shirt unbuttoned, struggling against his restraints. The demon selects a dagger from his collection of tools.

Gunn: Listen, please... What did I do?

He sees the demon wielding a dagger.

Gunn: No. No. Wait!

Just as the demon rears back with the dagger, the house starts to shake and rumble around them, as if there were an earthquake. The demon stops to look up the stairs as someone blows the basement access door off of its hinges. It's Illyria. She walks down the stairs to face the demon, who charges her. She simply backhands him, sending him across the room. Walking up to Gunn, she rips the medallion from his neck, causing his memories to return. Gunn sits up with a start, holding his hands to his head and panting.

Gunn: Oh. Ah. Find it. Find... Gunn. Charles Gunn.

He looks up at Illyria in confusion.

Gunn: You're... Fred. You look... terrible.

Illyria grabs him by the collar, pulling him off the table into a standing position.

Gunn: Unh! Illyria.
Illyria: Move.
Gunn: Can't. Can't leave this dimension unless someone else puts on the necklace... takes my place.

The dungeon master demon finally gets to his feet and charges at Illyria again. She looks at the necklace, then at the demon.

Back at Angel's Office in Wolfram & Hart:

Wesley: I didn't send her. We were discussing Gunn. I explained his situation, our inability to get him out. She nodded, created a portal, and disappeared.
Angel: (irritated) So she's just - what - helping you out? She's your little helper.
Wesley: I would hardly call her-.
Angel: Well, she sure was helpful beatin' me up. Wes, do you have any idea why she's doing all this for you?
Wesley: Does it matter? She may be able to get him out.
Angel: Or she might get him killed. It doesn't track, Wes. Why would she take on any risk for us?
Wesley: I doubt this poses a risk to her. She has the power of a god.
Angel: She has the ego of a god.
Wesley: She was ruler of the world, after all. This sort of thing goes to one's head.
Angel: Apparently.
Wesley: I am making progress. There is distance, of course. She would never accept any of us as peers. But... I afford her some amusement at the very least. It may be why she's still here.
Angel: She's still here because this place reeks of influence. She had everything, Wes. Everything. You think she's not lookin' to get that back?
Wesley: I wouldn't presume to know what she wants. But I understand the resource, the power she represents. If we could just find some way to integrate her, to convince her to-.
Angel: To do what? Join the team?

A portal appears in Angel's office, and Illyria brings Gunn through it, pushing him to the floor at her feet.

Angel: Gunn.

Wesley stands to face them but, at the same time, backs up closer to Angel.

Wesley: Illyria.

Illyria grabs Gunn by the throat and lifts him into the air, causing him to gag. Angel approaches them, ready for confrontation.

Illyria: This thing...
Angel: Let him go.
Illyria: It's important to you.
Wesley: Illyria, stop.
Illyria: It holds value - worth beyond price.
Angel: I said, let him-.

Wesley touches Angel's arm to stop him and then steps forward.

Wesley: Yes, great worth. A great debt. You're talking of the debt, aren't you... of what we owe you?

Illyria drops Gunn, who falls to the ground with a ground.

Illyria: Of what you owe me.

She walks out of the office without another word.

The next day at Wolfram & Hart in Wesley's office:

Lorne enters Wesley's office and notices something weird. Wesley is taking some old books from the closet and putting them in the floor. In fact, he has a lot of books open on the floor, and Lorne notices that most of them are about Illyria and the Old Ones. Wesley is acting weird too. Besides the odd inquietude, his hair is sticking out all over, and he's wearing no shoes, only socks.

Lorne: For the Love of Madonna, what's happening in here?
Wesley: Lorne… Hi … I'm organizing these books… Searching for passages about Illyria. I'm trying to discover more things about her. Things we don't know yet.
Lorne: Well… Yeah… Good luck with that!
Wesley: Thank you. Do you want something?
Lorne: No… I just want …

Angel calls Lorne in his walkie talkie.

Lorne: Never mind. I have to go. Hello? Angel? Yeah… Yeah… I'm stuck on her!

Later in the lab, Wesley and Spike are researching something when Angel enters, obviously very angry from the way he yells.

Angel: Illyria's blown all of her gaskets, man. She's outta her mind.
Spike: How can you tell? Yesterday she spent two hours mind-melding with a potted fern.
Wesley: Illyria was talking to potted fern?
Spike: Yes.
Wesley: This is great!
Spike: Why is this great?
Wesley: Because Fred did that. I mean, when she came back from Pylea and still was a bit crazy … I think Illyria has more Fred's memories than we thought.

Wesley starts to laugh at this possibility.

Spike: If you say so. I hope we can control her with this weapon before she comes after me with that bloody collar again. I'm not a bloody pet!

Later in the training room after Wesley has taken Illyria's powers, she is still lying on the floor with Wesley still observing her. He decides to cautiously approach her and, once he is close enough, takes her hand gently.

Illyria: Leave me alone!
Wesley: I'm trying to help you, Illyria!
Illyria: By taking my powers? By leaving me weak?
Wesley: By letting you live! How many times I have to say that? I only did what I did for your own good. You would have exploded… again, according to Angel
Illyria: But I am my power… or was! Now… I am nothing! Just stuck in this shell that I must live in. Just that. The great Illyria, idol of millions, does not exist anymore.
Wesley: She can't exist… the great Illyria. But you are still here. Still alive. Come on. You're tired. Let's go home. Tomorrow you have more tests, and you need to rest.
Illyria: More tests? In my time, I could do anything I wanted without tests. But this is not the worst thing. I can no longer hear the Song of the Green.
Wesley: You can't talk to the plants anymore?

He starts to laugh again despite himself, causing Illyria to turn on him like a spoiled child.

Wesley: I already said it's for your own good.
Illyria: My own good.

He takes Illyria back to his apartment.

Wes: You stay here while I take a shower, all right?
Illyria: This place. I recognize it. Fred has already been here before.
Wes: It's my place. Fred came here sometimes. Do you remember?
Illyria: Yes. I remember she came here to ask your help... to kill someone... evil... her professor.

Wesley smiles wanly.

Wes: What else?
Illyria: I remember her watching that box with the others while you spoke to another creature. And I remember her asking how you were after you tried... to kill her.

Wesley's smile fades way.

Wes: Actually, I was hoping she had forgotten that. Well… I will take my shower. You can have any food from the refrigerator or can watch television if you want.

While Wesley goes to the shower, Illyria starts to look through Wesley's book shelves. She opens a drawer where she finds an album labeled "Angel Investigations". The album has images of Wesley with the others who work at the offices of the Wolf, Ram and Hart now. Besides Fred, there are pictures of Angel, Cordelia, Lorne, Gunn, a baby who must have been Connor, Faith and Willow.

Illyria looks at the pictures very carefully. She wants to remember exactly which moments these are from Fred's memories. The first picture was of everyone dressed up to watch the ballet Gisele. Fred was wearing a beautiful vine dress, and Wesley was wearing a tuxedo that makes him looks like a prince. Illyria realizes this thought must be left over Fred as princes - human princes - never existed in her time.

The second picture is of Wesley with Fred and Willow from when the witch came to Los Angeles to help put Angel's soul back in place.

The album has a lot of pictures of Wesley with people Illyria doesn't recognize from the leftover memories, like Wesley's ex-girlfriend Virginia, a blonde girl holding a stake and several clients.

Wesley also has an album just for Fred's pictures. Apparently, she never knew about that.

When Wesley finishes his bath, Illyria is sitting on the floor looking at all the Fred's pictures. She is studying them very carefully.

Wes: What the hell are you doing?
Illyria: I was observing these images. Fred didn't know about them.
Wes: No. She didn't know. And you shouldn't see them either! They are private!

Wesley picks up the pictures and albums from the floor and puts them in the drawer again.

Illyria: Did I make you angry?
Wes: Yes. Don't do this again!

Before Wesley heads back to his room, he notices that one of Fred's pictures has fallen on the floor. It's the picture from the night of the ballet. She was so beautiful. So sweet and pretty. Wesley takes the picture and stares at her. If he had known what would have happened, he never would have accepted Wolfram & Hart's offer.

Wesley clutches the picture to him and starts to cry.

Illyria: You are still feeling grief for her… for Fred. Do you miss her?
Wes: Yes, I miss her so much. She was like the air I breathe. Without Fred, I feel claustrophobic.
Illyria: I can be her if you want.
Wes: What? I don't know what you mean by that, but… don't try to complete that sentence. You can't replace Fred. You will never be her. She was unique.

Wesley returns to his room, slamming the door behind him, and Illyria stays in the living room, once again taking out Fred's pictures, focusing on the one with the ballet dress.

Illyria: As you wish!

The next day at Wolfram & Hart:

After the visit from Fred's parents, Illyria is in the lab, in Fred's form, feeling inexplicably sad because Wesley has rejected her after she assumed Fred's shape to amuse him. She only succeeded in making him angrier.

Suddenly, Spike enters in the lab, back from his trip to Rome.

Spike: Wes, I need… Fred!? Bloody Hell! How is this possible?
Illyria (as Fred): It's a miracle, Spike! Wesley brought me back.
Spike: But how…?
Wesley: It's not her, Spike.

Spike looks back at Wesley, who has come into the lab behind him, and notices the angry look in his eyes.

Wesley: I told you before not to do that.
Illyria: This is the only power I have and can use well.
Spike: So she's still the Blue Ox?
Wesley: Yeah. She likes to play with our feelings.
Spike: How's that bloody possible?
Illyria: I appear as I choose. I am part of the shell and can be her without causing suspicion.
Wesley: That's how she fooled Fred's parents.
Spike: They were here?
Wesley: Yesterday. They wanted to surprise her with a visit. They didn't know about what happened to Fred. I was going to tell them the truth, but she - Illyria - appeared as Fred and stopped me.
Illyria (as Fred): And they believed it was me.

Angel enters in the lab and is surprised when he sees "Fred".

Angel: Fred? How…?
Wesley: It's not her, Angel. It's Illyria.
Angel: But how…?
Spike: Apparently, she can assume Fred's shape. The devil blue fooled me too!
Illyria (as Fred): Handsome man save me from the monsters!
Angel: Owww. It looks like Fred!
Wesley: Change, Illyria. Change now!
Illyria: As you wish!

Illyria changes to her blue form.

Wesley: And stop acting like Fred. It's sickens me. You will never be her! Never!

Wesley leaves the lab in rush with Angel following him.

Angel: Wesley, wait! What exactly happened when I was in Rome?
Wesley: Fred's parents came here!
Angel: Oh.
Wesley: I was really close to telling them about Fred's death when Illyria came in, looking and acting like Fred. I couldn't tell them after that. Besides, I still have some hope of bringing her back.
Angel: The Burkles came here? Without warning?
Wesley: They wanted to surprise Fred.
Angel: And they were fooled anyway? They're her parents!
Wesley: They weren't suspicious of anything!
Angel: I'm sorry, Wesley. I'd stay and talk more, but I have to go meet Nina.

Wesley shrugs and changes the subject.

Wesley: How are you two, by the way?
Angel: Fine… I guess… Besides the fact that she's a werewolf and I'm a vampire, I think we've had a good start. We haven't tried to kill each other yet.
Wesley: That's the second stage.
Angel: I guess so…

At the end of the day, Wesley heads to Fred's apartment with Illyria, who has remained blue since he told her not to change again.

Wesley sits in the chair, drinking and crying again as he has done ever since Fred died. It's been very hard for him to handle this situation - to take care of Illyria when she looks like Fred. And it's no easier when Illyria keeps teasing him with stunts like she's pulled the last few days.

Wesley is distracted thinking about Fred when Illyria comes back from Fred's room. She is using Fred's shape again, wearing the same dress and hairstyle Fred was wearing when she died.

Illyria surprises him when she walks behind his chair and leans down to kiss him. Wesley doesn't know how to react. In one way, it doesn't seem like he is betraying Fred because it was her body. However, Illyria's kiss was different. It was cold. She isn't Fred. He knows he can't handle this anymore without going mad.

You look like - a perfect fit
For a girl in need - of a tourniquet
But can you - save me
Come on and - save me
If you could - save me

From the ranks of the freaks
Who suspect they could never love anyone

(Save Me - Aimee Mann)

Wesley pushes her away, causing her to fall into a sitting position on the floor

Wesley: What the hell do you think you're doing?
Illyria: Giving you something you want. I feel your desire for this body. You want her like she wanted you.
Wesley: I wanted her. Not you. You will never be her. Never.
Illyria: Perhaps. But I can act like her. You saw.
Wesley: I can't handle this anymore. I'm going to find a way to bring my Fred back. So stop with the sick jokes.
Illyria: This is the only way I can understand human emotions.
Wesley: Ask me whatever you want about them, but don't do that again. Are you listening to me? Never! Be blue again! Never be my Fred!

Illyria changes to her normal blue coloring again.

Illyria: If I could only talk with the ficus… but even that, I can no longer do.
Wesley: Well… find another distraction. But stop pretending!

The next day in Gunn's Office at Wolfram & Hart:

Gunn and Lorne are talking about Illyria when Spike enters in the office.

Spike: What the hell is going on in here?
Gunn: A crazy theory from the Green Guy here!
Spike: About…?
Lorne: It's just a theory for now… but I think our little Smurf has fallen in love with Wesley.
Spike: She's bloody what? Why do you think she's in love with him?
Lorne: Well… I was following her, right? Ever since she started to imitate Fred, her fights with Wesley have grown. It wasn't so bad when her parents were here, but since then she's been doing it more frequently. Almost like she wants to be Fred.
Gunn: That's a big plus for the Crazy In Love theory.
Spike: But how is this possible? She doesn't have feelings. Does she?
Lorne: Let me see. She's using Fred's body. She has Fred's memories. And Fred was in love with Wesley. Now she keeps teasing him by imitating her. I think she's either in love with him or is one of the most evil girls I've ever meet.
Spike: Yeah… Right… Makes sense now you've spelled it out. Ummm… he's coming!
Lorne: Don't tell him anything until we're completely sure!
Spike: All right.

Angel and Wesley enter in the office, both of them noticing the uncomfortable.

Angel: What the hell is going on in here?
Lorne: Nothing, strudel. We're just talking about…
Wesley: Illyria.
Lorne: Yes. She's still the big news around here.
Wesley: A walking nightmare. What about her?
Spike: We're talking about her new hobby: Be Fred!
Angel: Yeah. She lost all her others powers, so she needs to torture us with something besides her boring stories!
Wesley: I was starting to find her stories interesting.
Angel: Really? Anyway, she must feel she has to torture us with something…
Spike: Yeah. Especially since she also lost her ability to talk to the bloody fern.
Gunn: But her ego is still the same!

Illyria enters in the office, looking like Fred.

Illyria (as Fred): Hi, boys ! What are you doing?

Wesley looks at her angrily and leaves for his office, slamming the door.

Angel: Illyria, you must stop doing this! Don't you see how you're hurting Wesley?
Illyria: But it's interesting how the simple modulation of my form provokes so many reactions.
Angel: Gee, I couldn't imagine why! Maybe because Fred's dead and you're using her body?
Illyria: How you dare speak to me in this tone, half-breed? In my time, I would cut your tongue out for being so insolent!
Angel: Too bad we aren't in your kingdom anymore then.
Illyria: In my time, I was the meaning of beauty, grace and adoration. I had billions of minions, and they did anything I wanted. Now… I am alone, my world is gone, I am helpless, my powers are stripped, and nobody worship me.
Spike: I know how that is, luv. When they put that chip in my head, I couldn't hit anybody. But you get used to it. At least now you can't cheat anymore with that freezing thing. That was really a bitch.

Illyria returns to her blue form and goes to brood in Wesley's office, complaining in a very pissed voice about "insolents vermins" as she leaves.

Angel: Now that she's gone, tell me what's happening.
Gunn: How…?
Angel: Vampire. Did you forget?

Angel points to his ears to illustrate his meaning.

Gunn: Ohhh… right
Spike: They have this crazy theory that Miss Blue Sky is in love… with Percy.
Angel: WHAT? Illyria in love? Is that even possible?
Lorne: If you count that the body, memories and Fred's soul have some effect in her, I would say... yes.

Illyria enters Wesley's office, and when he notices her presence, he wipes away his tears. It is still very hard for him to handle Illyria pretending to be Fred.

Wesley: What do you want?
Illyria: You were making that noise with your nose again!
Wesley: I was crying. What do you want?
Illyria: I was wondering what you were doing. And now I know. You are thinking about her. You still have desires for this body, and she felt the same for you.
Wesley: Don't you dare change again! You aren't her… You never will be her!

Wesley goes out of the office, leaving her alone. A few minutes later, Spike enters the room to talk to him and notices Illyria is still there.

Spike: Wesley, can you…? Oh… it's you !
Illyria: What do you want, half-breed?
Spike: I was looking for Wesley. Do you know where he is?
Illyria: Wesley was here, but he was very angry with me. I do not understand. He was making noises with his nose.
Spike: Noises with his nose? Oh… you mean he was crying.
Illyria: Yes. But he keeps yelling at me, and I don't understand why.
Spike: Well… were you pretending to be Fred again? Because if the answer is yes, that's the bloody reason!
Illyria: Why? This is pointless!
Spike: Let me try to explain, luv. He loved Fred... still loves her, probably always will. You pretending to be her hurts him. No man can handle that for long without going insane. It's the most devastating power you have.

In Gunn's office, he and Lorne are reading some reports when Wesley enters.

Wesley: Gunn… can I stay here for awhile?
Gunn: Of course. But… something happen?
Wesley: No… nothing. I mean… only the usual… Illyria.
Lorne: What did the blue bird do this time?
Wesley: She's still pretending she's Fred. I need to stay a way for her… for awhile.
Gunn: We have a theory for this.
Wesley: You have? For what?
Lorne: Why she is acting like this.
Wesley: She said she wants to explore things further. Do you have another explanation?
Lorne: Well… we thought that she maybe is in love... with you!
Wesley: Illyria… in love… with me???

Wesley starts to laugh again.

Lorne: It seems crazy, but it's the only explanation for it. You two were bonding, weren't you? And she thinks of you as her guardian or something like that. She trusts you.
Wesley: But she didn't think twice before killing me, Angel said.
Lorne: Well, she thought we were trying to kill her. She was desperate!
Wesley: But this theory doesn't make any sense.
Gunn: I think it does. After all, Fred loved you. If she is in love with you, that means Fred is still there. Underneath.
Wesley: So… that's means… she has feelings? The same ones she denies having?
Gunn: Looks like.

Later, Wesley returns to his office and finds Illyria there, waiting for him. At she is still blue this time, he thinks.

Wesley: Illyria, what do you want?
Illyria: Spike and I were speaking. He told me that I disturbed you with my personification of Fred. Is that true?
Wesley: Yes. You may not understand, but you aren't her. And looking like her is so…
Illyria: Devastating?
Wesley: Yes.
Illyria: I will stop. Unless if you specifically ask me to do this… to assume Fred's form.
Wesley: Thank You. I appreciate this.

A few days later, in Spike's apartment, Illyria is not feeling well. Spike gives her something to eat before he and the others go out, leaving her alone with Drogyn. After they return, they find that she has been injured in a fight with Hamilton, and Wesley puts her in Spike's bed, very concerned.

Wesley: Illyria, are you sure you are all right?
Illyria: I am. Though I've been broken and humiliated, I will survive to make trophies of the spines of my adversaries, but…
Wesley: But what? Something else?
Illyria: This shell…
Wesley: Fred? What about?
Illyria: I do not know how to say this, but… this body is broken. I am not feeling well. I think I am sick. I am… dizzy.
Lorne: I'm not a doctor, but this looks like a pregnancy to me.
Wesley: Pregnancy?
Spike: Illyria, pregnant? But how…? Wait a minute… you two didn't? …
Wesley: Of course not! Only…
Gunn: What?
Wesley: Before Fred got sick… we… you know…
Gunn: Really?
Wesley: Yes. And Illyria is using her body. With the beating she just had... we need take her to a hospital. To confirm that she's... Illyria, can you change again? Just this one time so as not to scare the doctors?
Illyria: As you wish.

Illyria becomes Fred again.

Wesley: All right. Spike, you wait here for any news from Angel, and I will take her to the hospital
Spike: Right!

Later at the hospital:

Wesley: Hi… I want to schedule an appointment for my… wife.
Nurse: Of course. What's her name?
Illyria (As Fred): Winifred Burkle… Pryce.
Nurse: What's the problem, Mrs. Pryce?
Wesley: She's feeling weak and a little dizzy. We think she may be pregnant, and we want to be sure.
Nurse: Of course. You can come with me, Mrs. Pryce. I'm sorry, Mr. Pryce, but you have to wait here.
Wesley: Of course. Illy-Fred… be a good girl, all right?

The nurse looks at him strangely.

Wesley: She isn't herself these days… You know… hormones.
Nurse: Of course. Come on.

Illyria and the nurse exit while Wesley stays in the waiting room. After a few minutes, his cell phone rings.

Wesley: Hello? Angel? Yes, I'm still here. She having some tests run. As soon as they're done, we'll come back.

Thirty minutes later, the nurse calls Wesley to the back. When he enters the exam room, he sees "Fred" lying down on a bed. The Doctor, a young blonde woman, is analyzing her belly with the ultrasound machine.

Wesley: Is there any problem?
Doctor: Only that she is very weak. She told me she had an accident yesterday.
Wesley: Yes.
Doctor: The baby is fine, though, and isn't at any risk. I have given her a special diet.
Wesley: So… she's pregnant.
Doctor: Yes, she is. Congratulations. You can put your clothes again.

She goes out, leaving Wesley, who has an uncertain expression on his face, with Illyria.

Illyria: What has happened?
Wesley: You… Fred is pregnant.
Illyria: The shell is awaiting an offspring?
Wesley: Don't call her that. Fred isn't an animal. And yes, she's pregnant.
Illyria: And this… makes you happy?
Wesley: Yes. This makes me very happy. I always dreamed about this, about being a father. I hope better than my own father. But Fred isn't here, so it's sad too.

He pauses for a moment, looking away from her toward the floor and taking a deep breath.

Wesley: You'd better get dressed. I'll wait out there. We need to get back. Angel is already at Spike's apartment.

Wesley and Illyria head back to Spike's apartment where he, Angel, Lorne and Gunn are waiting for them.

Lorne: So…
Wes: She's pregnant.
Angel: What? Who's pregnant?

He looks at Illyria, who is still in Fred's form.

Angel: Illyria's pregnant? Wes, I know you're obsessed with her, but this is a little sick, don't you think?
Wes: I didn't have sex with her, Angel. This all happened before Fred got sick.
Angel: Oh… well... that's better.
Wes: But she's in Fred's body, and this doesn't change the fact that she's pregnant. You can change back now, though, Illyria.

Illyria morphs back into her natural blue form.

After Angel tells them to take the day off before the big battle against the members of the Black Thorn, Wesley heads home to change his clothes and asks to Lorne watch over Illyria until he is back. When he returns, Lorne goes out to a karaoke bar while Wesley stays in Spike's apartment with Illyria.

He cleans her neck wounds and makes a paste to help her heal so she will be fully recovered for the fight.

Wesley: Are you sure you want to do this? It could be dangerous for you and the baby. You aren't invincible anymore.
Illyria: I want to do this. I want to help. I will fight. I've been broken and humiliated. I will return in kind every blow, every sting. I will shred my adversaries. Pull their eyes out just enough to turn them towards their mewing, mutilated faces.
Wesley: You're a very inspirational person. Have I mentioned that?
Illyria: You are what I don't understand.
Wesley: And that would be different because?
Illyria: Angel told you to do whatever you wanted. Today... tonight, you may all be dead.
Wesley: Yes. Good point.
Illyria: I am not what you want.
Wesley: No.
Illyria: Then why-?
Wesley: Don't I go off and have one last perfect day? Smell the flowers or sky-dive, or have a go with Mistress Spanks-A-Lot... or whatever the hell one is supposed to do in this situation.
Illyria: Mistress who?
Wesley: There is no perfect day for me, Illyria. There is no sunset or painting or finely-aged scotch that's going to sum up my life and make tonight any... There is nothing that I want.
Illyria: You want to be with Fred.
Wesley: Yes. Yes, that's where I'd be if I could.
Illyria: I could assume her shape, make her come alive again this once for you. But you would never ask me to.
Wesley: The first lesson a Watcher learns is to separate truth from illusion. Because in the world of magics, it's the hardest thing to do. The truth is that Fred is gone. To pretend anything else would be a lie. And since I don't actually intend to die tonight, I won't accept a lie. Is it better?
Illyria: It's better.

After Angel gives them their instructions of which member of the Black Thorn they must kill, they all head out.

Wesley looks over at Illyria with concern - the same kind of concern he would always show for Fred.

Wesley: Be careful, all right? I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby.
Illyria: You too. Try not to die either.
Wesley: I will try.

Later, after Illyria destroys the car of the demon Izzy, she goes to Vail's home where she finds Wesley injured very badly.

Illyria: Wesley. This wound is mortal.
Wesley: Aren't we all? It was good... that you came.
Illyria: I killed all mine, and I was...
Wesley: Concerned?
Illyria: I think so. But I can't help. You'll be dead within moments.
Wesley: I know.
Illyria: Would you like me to lie to you now?
Wesley: Yes. Thank you. Yes.

Illyria becomes Fred again, her hand cupping his cheek.

Wesley: Hello there.
Fred: Oh, Wesley. My Wesley.
Wesley: Fred. I've missed you.
Fred: It's gonna be okay. It won't hurt much longer, and then you'll be where I am. We'll be together.
Wesley: I-I love you. Take care of the baby, please.
Fred: I love you. My love. Oh, my love. I will take care of him. Don't worry.

Wesley dies in "Fred's" arms. She cries for him, and when Vail arrives and challenges her, she is so angry and so hurting because of Wesley's death and the grief that she is feeling for his lost that she kills Vail while changing back into her blue form.

She then heads to the ally where Spike, Angel and Gunn are already waiting for her. Gunn is bleeding, mortally injured, and asks about his missing friend just before she arrives.

Gunn: Any word on Wes?

Illyria jumps down from the building's fire escape to join them.

Illyria: Wesley's dead.

They are all crushed by the news.

Illyria: I am feeling grief for him. I can't seem to control it. I wish to do more violence.

500 years in the future, in the year of 2517:

The Serenity crew is killing time on the ship because nothing important has happened for a while. River is reading a old book while Simon and Kaylee are talking.

Suddenly, River starts to scream, causing Simon and Kaylee to run over to her. Her cries also attract the rest of the crew.

Simon: River… what happened?

She looks at him, very suspicious and scary at the same time.

Simon: You can tell me, River. After all, I'm your ge ge.
River: Yes. You are. This book. It tells the history about heroes from Los Angeles on the planet Earth.
Kaylee: Oh… the captain brought that with him to Serenity. It has a lot of stories from Earth.
River: Look, Simon!

He looks at the page she's pointing to - about the Wyndam-Pryce family.

Simon: I don't understand, River. Who are these people?
River: You are so stupid. The Wyndam-Pryce family is part of our genealogical tree. He's Wesley Wyndam-Pryce… our great-great-great-great-great… grandfather.
Simon: Really?

He looks at her curiously.

River: Yes. And this is Fred Burkle-Pryce. She is our great-great-great-great-great… grandmother. She was infected by a mystic dust for a sarcophagus and became this blue goddess called Illyria. Before Wesley died, he discovered Fred was pregnant by him while Illyria was still using Fred's body. Don't you understand? That's why we have these strange blue spots on our bodies.
Simon: It makes sense. But, what you want to do?
River: If we had a way to go back in time and change the events, then nothing would have turned out the way it happened. They could be alive. I mean… not now obviously… only if they turned in vampires, but they could have lived longer and had their love.
Simon: But that's impossible, River! What do you want? Us to build a time machine?

He starts to laugh.

Kaylee: Actually, it ain't that hard.
Simon: What do you mean?
Kaylee: Come here!

Kaylee takes Simon by his arm.

Simon: Whai! Wait a minute!
River: What do you want to show us, Kay?
Kaylee: This!

They looked at the ship that Simon and River used to travel to Ariel.

Simon: Right. I'm seeing the ship that took us to Ariel
Kaylee: Not anymore.
Simon: What do you mean?
Kaylee: I'm working it. I hope that in a few weeks, I can change it into a time machine.

River is very excited by the news.

River: Really? You can do this? This would be fantastic! We can go back in time and prevent their early deaths.
Simon: River… mei mei… are you serious about this?
River: Why not? We can help them and change the blue mark of our family.
Simon: Well… you are the genius of the family. I can't argue with you.
River: I think it's better if you don't.

Three Weeks Later:

River and Simon are looking at the time machine that Kaylee has just finished building into the hull of ship.

Kaylee: That fluid we took from the last planet helped a lot. I think it's ready. We only need to test it.

River enters in the ship, really excited about all this.

River: Can we go?
Simon: Are you sure?
River: Don't you want to make things better for our family?
Simon: I want to, but…
River: So, don't argue with me!
Kaylee: I'll go with you. Wash, take care of everything, all right?
Wash: Count on it!
Zoe: Be careful!

They enter in the time machine, and Kaylee starts to press the controls.

Kaylee: Let me see. Planet Earth. Los Angeles, United States. What year?
River: 2004.
Kaylee: Day? Month?
River: Hum… Well…

She looks at Mal's old book that she's brought with them.

River: Here, it says that Wesley died May nineteenth, and Fred died February twenty-fifth. So, we should go back to February eighteenth. One week before.
Kaylee: Right. Are you ready?
River: Yes!
Simon: I think so… Just a question… who wrote this book?
River: Angel and Spike. Two vampires.

Five minutes later, the ship lands in Wolfram & Hart's parking.

Kaylee: You go upstairs while I park and hide the machine.
River: Right. Thanks!

When the elevator opens onto the floor where Angel's office is located, Wesley and Fred are in Fred's lab still watching Smile Time. River looks around the place with a smile on her face. She still can't believe she's there. Simon is confused by everything that has happened, and he still doesn't know what to think.

Harmony notices their presence and decides to do something useful.

Harmony: May I help you?
River: Yeah… we're looking for… Charles Gunn.
Harmony: He's supposed to head out in a few minutes, but he's still in his office if you want to catch him before then.
River: Thank you. If a girl called Kaylee comes looking for us, can you tell her we're in Gunn's office?
Harmony: All right.

She looks at them slightly suspiciously as they head for Gunn's office. They find a young man wearing a suit and putting some papers in his briefcase.

Simon: Hello!
Gunn: Yes? May I help you? I'm in a little bit of a rush - I have a medical appointment now that can't wait.
River: To put more knowledge in your brain, right?
Gunn: How do you know? Who are you people?
River: Let me put this way. I know what will happen if you go through with this. People will die. Fred will die. Please, listen to me!
Gunn: Hey, what are you? Some kind of freak?
River: Do you want the same thing that happened to your sister Alonna to happen to someone else?
Gunn: How do you know about Alonna?
River: I know a lot of things, Charles. I'm here to keep them from happening!
Gunn: If you don't tell me who the hell are you and what you want, I'm going to call security.
Simon: Calm down! You don't need to do that! We can explain everything! But it will take a little time… and it would probably be better for you if you sat down…

To be continued in "Space Continuum"

© July 2004

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