Episode 15, Season 3
Title: "Loyalty"
Written by: Mere Smith
Directed by: James A. Contner
Original Air date: 26 February 2002
Teaser:
 ItÍs just another typical morning at the Hyperion when Gunn and Fred enter to find Wesley asleep on his desk after a late night of researching the prophecies. Before they can pilfer through his notes, Wesley awakens and hides his notes from sight as Angel enters with Conner. Angel turns vamp face, ñIÍm teaching him how to die!î as his fangs close in on his son. Fred and Gunn share a smile and the books beneath WesleyÍs hands spew blood. Gunn speaks out loud in an unnatural voice our researcherÍs worst fear, ñRunning out of time. Running out of time!î This morning has turned into a nightmare.
No longer dreaming, Wesley is startled awake as Angel enters with Conner and he shows genuine concern that Wesley has spent the night in the office researching prophecies that center upon the future of his son.
Act I:
 At the pediatricianÍs office for ConnerÍs check-up, Angel and Wesley are in the waiting room as our vampy dad shares some advice with two mothers; one of which has a baby troubled by colic. Wesley looks haggard and accompanies Angel to make sure the proud dad doesnÍt miss any important questions. In the exam room, Wesley asks about anything ïabnormalÍ, but the doctor reassures them the baby is in perfect physical condition and the blood tests are just a precaution. After they leave, one of the women from the waiting area pops in to steal ConnerÍs blood sample and replaces it with another.
At the Hyperion, a large package has arrived for Angel containing ïitty bittyÍ hockey sticks with a jersey for Conner courtesy of CordeliaÍs credit card number used on-line by Angel. Ice hockey is a vamp-dad friendly sport because it is played indoors and at night! Our vision-girl is away with Groo and hasnÍt even called with a vision, which makes for some downtime for the crew. Gunn and AngelÍs game playing is interrupted with a client that shares the tragic story of her son, Timothy, who was turned into a vampire after visiting the Ferris wheel at the pier. Everyone listens with a sympathetic ear and Gunn jumps to dust the vamps at the pier, but Wesley orders him on a reconnaissance mission only. The crew is on the case!
Later, inside HoltzÍs headquarters, the same mother with the tragic story is giving Holtz and the members of his new gang a run down of AngelÍs crew with their abilities and possible weaknesses. She points to pictures taken from a hidden camera in her purse of each of the members. Holtz is pleased with AubreyÍs work and praises her and she is happy as well, ñThanks boss!î
Act II:
 At HoltzÍs place, the new members fight with tied up vampires testing their fighting skills. Justine wonders why Angel has his own band of loyal friends who would follow a vampire - not all things are black and white. Sahjhan shows up glad to hear that Holtz needs to get his plan in motion and reminds the vampire hunter he owes him a dead vampire. Holtz has other plans and threatens to trap the demon in a Resikhian Urn if he insists on having his way. The battle lines have been drawn and Sahjhan leaves with a warning.
In the Hyperion main office, Wesley is on an important phone call with a wizard that was hired by him for a very dangerous task. Fred walks in and suggests Wesley go out with Aubrey, but he makes it clear that their mission isnÍt to date but to do their job and orders her to do hers at the pier.
At Wolfram & Hart, Lilah is speaking with her mother on the phone, when Sahjhan interrupts. Evil-Lady Lawyer tells all before Sahjhan can explain why heÍs there. SheÍs on top of her game and makes it clear it is against company policy to kill Angel, as she holds up a tablet that reads in big letters, ñCount Me In!î Sahjhan explains his plan and asks for the impossible task of obtaining ConnerÍs blood, which the law firm already has and the results show that the blood is as normal as any other, but the demon points out the lab guys are looking for the wrong thing.
At the pier, Fred is looking for anything vamp-suspicious action but its sunny out and Gunn is more interested in winning a prize for Fred. He reveals that Wesley knows about them and this doesnÍt sit too well with her. She wants to focus on their task and they agree to stick up for their relationship in spite of WesleyÍs reproach and continue their reconnaissance.
In AngelÍs bedroom, our dad is playing with his son as he sips blood from a tall glass. Wesley drops in to let Angel know that heÍll be out of the office for a while to pursue his research. AngelÍs been aware of WesleyÍs efforts and truly appreciates his work in making sure that nothing will happen to his son.
ItÍs dark at the pier when Gunn and Fred spot a man breaking into a building. She warns Gunn that they must follow WesleyÍs orders, but Gunn is brash and wants to take care of business himself and heads into the direction of major trouble. Inside the building, a carousel is turned on and vampires surround the two.
Act III:
 As the carousel spins, the vampires attack and Gunn orders Fred to run as he stays to fight them off but unknown to them two of HoltzÍs gang are taping the session. Just when things are most dire for Gunn, Fred returns and assists Gunn in defeating the remaining vamps. She saves him and they kiss.
In another part of L.A., Wesley is using a hand-held global locating system to find the exact spot dictated by his hired wizard. HeÍs led to a fast food restaurant and stands in front of the drive-up ordering speaker in the shape of a happy burger. Wesley holds out his hands and conjures, "Mange Sec Loa, Alegba" The burger speaker rises and comes to life, annoyed that a mere mortal has awakened him to find the truth about stopping what cannot be stopped. Wesley gets zapped for his stubbornness and the Loa reveals that his pain is just beginning and that the question is only ïwhenÍ Angel will devour his son and advises, ñEarthquake, fire, blood, be heedful of the signs human!î And angrily returns to its plastic burger-shaped speaker self.
At an upscale bar, Lilah meets up with Sahjhan as she keeps it short and sweet. She informs the time-shifting demon that the ïAngel PlanÍ has begun and turns to leave. Sahjhan was hoping to chat it up but sheÍs not impressed that he invented Daylight Savings Time. SheÍs more interested in knowing why he wants to kill Angel and vice versa - both have their reasons.
At the Hyperion, Wesley is babysitting Conner, when Aubrey returns with a check grateful for taking care of the nest and invites him out, but Angel and Wesley have caught onto her. Angel manhandles Aubrey, upset that she sent Gunn and Fred into an ambush. She reveals that she did lose her son to vamps and Wesley figures the vampire hunter collected his gang from the remaining loved ones of victims. Angel knows Holtz is ñone of the good guysî and has reason to hate Angel, but when it comes to his son and his crew, Angel will kill anyone who hurts them. Aubrey quickly leaves and the effects of a small short earthquake vibrate through the Hyperion. Angel rushes to pick up his son and Wesley realizes time is running out.
At his headquarters, Holtz is reviewing the tape taken of Gunn and Fred and points to Fred as an example of ïwilling to die for the causeÍ, meaning they must take chances for what they believe in, in order to succeed. Aubrey enters with bad news, but Wesley followed her and meets eye to eye with Holtz.
Act IV:
 One of HoltzÍs men quickly springs to attack but the now experienced ex-watcher takes the man down with a single punch. Wesley is there to talk and explain that Angel is not the vampire responsible for the actions of Angelus, but Holtz is aware of the gypsy curse and is still determined to get revenge and to the surprise of HoltzÍs crew, Wesley offers himself instead. It was AngelÍs hands that killed HoltzÍs family ¿ ïAngelusÍ is in his nature. Holtz speaks WesleyÍs fear, ñYouÍre afraid heÍs going to kill the child and youÍre right.î Unbelievably, the vampire hunter now wants to protect the baby and asks Wesley to join him.
At their favorite diner, Fred and Gunn canÍt finish their plates as Gunn realizes that Wesley may be right. Emotions can cloud judgment and can they really ïhave it allÍ? But, if forced to choose GunnÍs willing to give up the killing-demon-thang for Fred. She smiles and Gunn reminds her, ñWesleyÍs a good man. HeÍll do the right thing.î
Back from his long walk, Wesley enters AngelÍs bedroom as vamp dad heats up a bottle on the stove for his son. Angel understands why Aubrey would join up with a man like Holtz ¿ he would do the same because he loves his son. Wesley laughs with relief realizing his worries were silly, but it disappears when another, larger earthquake hits.
 At W&H, Lilah smiles as her office d³cor falls and breaks.
Meanwhile, Holts saves Justine from a large falling bookcase at their headquarters.
While at the Hyperion, the stove in AngelÍs room explodes and the ceiling framing falls catching fire as WesleyÍs worst fear comes to life before his eyes. Angel saves his son and all three make it out of the dangerous room. Earthquake, fire, blood. Wesley sees the blood dripping from AngelÍs nasty forehead gash drenching ConnerÍs quilt. Angel smiles with relief and checks his son. ñAt least I wouldÍve had something to snack on,î observes Angel, smiling. Has the nightmare finally turned into a dream?
Summary by Council member, Raciella.
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